Released: 2022
The song “Closing Credits” by Mike featuring MIKE delves into a narrative of self-reflection, struggle, and the quest for personal freedom. This piece resonates with themes of survival, loyalty, and the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams, even when faced with overwhelming odds. It artfully captures the emotional turmoil and complexity of navigating life in a challenging world.
Starting with the opening line, “How you sleep, where you learned to hang,” Mike questions the comfort and complacency in one’s current circumstances. The language hints at street survival skills—learning where and how to position oneself in life’s difficult moments. This reflection paves the way for Mike’s introspective gratitude in “I gotta give a lil speech, lil word of thanks,” directed toward his younger self who has navigated a world of angst, finding freedom and making decisions that lead to personal growth.
Mike introduces a notion of “lil scheme lil certy scam,” portraying the hustles and small-time scams that are part of the journey. It reflects on humble beginnings and minor transgressions that sometimes lead to bigger, dirtier situations symbolized by the progression “up a lil V, to a dirty van.” Here, Mike reflects on how these experiences, though modest at first, sometimes escalate into more serious endeavors.
In the following lines, “It’s still peace with my early mans,” he expresses a continued connection with old friends, acknowledging that despite changes and possible grievances, there is still a place for dance and celebration in life, symbolizing the perseverance through hardship. His lyrics emphasize feeling the natural elements like “breeze” and “earth expand,” contrasting these tangible experiences against the heavy weight of his burdens, “feel debris where my burden stand.”
In his narrative, “Some love still leeching in deserted land,” Mike talks about relationships that may no longer hold substance yet continue to linger. A metaphorical depiction of relationships that seem to exist in a barren emotional space, a “deserted land,” speaks to emotional desolation yet unyielding bonds. This reflection continues as Mike portrays a need to move forward and find success, symbolized by “return with bands,” alluding to money and wealth earned despite hardships.
He unveils his plans, “I told V, I had the perfect plan,” which illustrates the blend of ambition and perhaps naivety—holding a ‘dumb dream’ that is powered by assertiveness and vision. Here, Mike intertwines a touch of vulnerability with resilience. Love, as he mentions, “ease what the burning can’t,” becomes the healing force amidst adversity.
Transitioning to self-accountability, Mike explores guilt and friendship in “The problem is you still win and gotta feel the guilt.” Success, coupled with the strain of conscience, particularly in environments that necessitate a hardened demeanor, adds depth to his character. Referencing Shaquille O’Neal implies dominance but also hints at the lonely challenges faced at the top.
“But mommy left a blueprint,” signifies a guide and foundation provided by his mother. He promises to rebuild, carrying familial values forward while navigating an environment filled with hardships. Despite these challenges, “up top I never kneel, or squeal,” indicating Mike’s refusal to succumb to external pressures or betray confidences, revealing his commitment to integrity amidst chaos.
As the song progresses, “Lotta trauma keep me ill,” addresses the ongoing mental and emotional struggles Mike faces. This reflection offers a raw depiction of how unresolved trauma manifests physically and mentally. Through smoking (‘spliff’), he confronts reviews harsh as the spliff he indulges in, metaphorically indicating his sacrifices to the cause or “the guild.”
The song’s closing refrain, “Somebody take the wheel, forreal,” captures a desire for respite and relief from life’s pressures. It’s a recurring cry for support or divine intervention. The cyclical nature of these feelings encapsulates a struggle that feels inescapable—”Everything I feel tinted, hindering the will,” reflecting on the colorings of emotions that impact decision-making and personal resolve. Mike masterfully communicates the struggle of keeping control amidst life’s turmoil, leaving listeners pondering their own balance between external pressures and inner peace.
