Pieces of a Man is More a social commentary Than a Rap Album
In a society where social media and status are constantly being pushed to the forefront of our daily lives, we can forget that it’s really just a facade. Mick Jenkins’ 2018 Pieces of a Man album can be viewed as an analysis of one’s self and society as he focuses on issues of social identification and self-identity.
What people are looking for in a screen, is staring back at them in reality but it takes a deep level of self-reflection to grasp that concept. Mick Jenkins album cover shows him looking into a broken mirror, symbolizing the reflection of your own identity, but as well as the different appearances that are given off based upon what “pieces” of the person others choose to see. Throughout the album, Mick dives into Freud’s ideas of the id, ego and superego as the themes brought to the forefront are those of pleasure versus reality and morals.
“I never had it, gotta get the free gotta have it (gotta have it) / Gotta have it, please excuse the water bottle habit”
Each song can be viewed as a look into the social constructs that rule our day to day lives. In a generation that is glued to our phones and screens and with the rise of social media, the motives for ‘flexing’ and keeping up with the Joneses come at the forefront of our pages. We all experience it when we receive a like or a compliment - that dopamine rush that hits our brain which makes us feel good. At what point though do we realize that at the end of the day there are more pieces to a person than what they show - this is what Mick Jenkins tries to bring to Pieces of A Man.
“N***** getting’ lazy diggin’ holes and pushin’ daisies / Boonk actin’ like its gravy lookin’ crazy on the internet”
Mick breaks down the idea of ‘clout chasing’ and how it only holds back the time and potential of one’s self. Sometimes, especially in our youth and adolescent years, we become subject to the superficiality of youth and fast living. At the end of it all though, what really matters is maintaining a sense of authenticity and individuality.
“Quick fast, quick fast, plus one that’s quick math / quicksand, sink slow for some quick cash / quit that, got a better chance with Bitcoin / big banks see you stuntin’ and this shit’s deep / Crypt keep and now you’re f***ing with the blockchain / Speed race until we runnin’ out of octane”
We can often get caught up with these superficialities and lose a sense of what really matters. Pieces of a Man is a reflection of these things and an assessment of what the age of social media brings. Who really is the judge of our identities? Is it ourselves, is it others? It’s a question which Mick poses throughout the album and an important question to reflect upon.
“We’re built to judge n***** off the rip, but I’ve definitely gotten more into a space of, of trying to be understanding first, you know what I’m saying?...Pieces of the story, you’re only ever getting pieces of the person and you judge a whole life off a moment, you feel me?”
At some point we all have fallen victim to the trap of wanting to fit in and in turn hiding our real self for the sake of fitting in. However, there is beauty in showing vulnerability and authenticity of one’s self. This is what Mick tries to show throughout the album and that the real embodiment of ‘cool’ is being true to who you are as a person.
“But that shit stayed in school for me partly because somebody was brutally honest / pointed out social constructs I foolishly honored / I booted these false concepts that diluted these waters”
Pieces of a Man by Mick Jenkins is an interesting look into how society is shaped today and how we are influenced by products of our social environment. Through reflection and self-assessment Mick is able to dive into concepts that many youth and even adults struggle with regards to social identity, and interaction. Through understanding these ideas though it allows for the realization of what really is important and real. By being true and genuine to yourself is what Pieces of a Man conveys to the listener, and by letting your individuality shine through is what allows for growth in yourself compared to the never-ending cycle of chasing validation which leads to demise.
“We, real cool / we, left school / we, lurk late / we, sing sin / we, jazz june / we, die soon / we, die soon / we, die soon with your cool ass”