Mindful (song)

"Mindful" is a song by American singer K. Michelle that appears on her third studio album, More Issues Than Vogue (2016). Atlantic Records released "Mindful" as the album's first promotional single on February 19, 2016. The song was written and produced by T-Pain. Its lyrics revolve around Michelle warning her critics to avoid confrontations with her; music critics noted influences from funk and hip hop genres in its composition.

"Mindful"
Promotional single by K. Michelle
from the album More Issues Than Vogue
ReleasedFebruary 19, 2016 (2016-02-19)
Genre
Length1:55
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)T-Pain
Producer(s)T-Pain

Critical reception for "Mindful" was positive; commentators praised Michelle's verses. An accompanying music video was released on March 10, 2017; in the video, Michelle argues with a group of women in a trailer park. Various critics commented upon its use of bright colors. Michelle performed the single as part of the VH1 special, A Night with K. Michelle, and at her album release party.

Release and composition

"Mindful" was written and produced by American rapper T-Pain, who also worked as a synthesizer programmer for the song. Chris Athens served as the mastering engineer and Eric Cire acted as the vocal producer. The track was recorded by Thomas Burroughs and mixed by Kevin "KD" Davis. Background vocals were provided by Goldie, Sha Sha Jones, Sam Salter, Joi Campbell, Eric Dawkins, and Eric Cire.[1]

"Mindful" was released on February 19, 2016, as a promotional single from Michelle's third studio album More Issues Than Vogue (2016) by Atlantic Records;[2][3] it is also the album's opening track.[4][5] The contains a "funky guitar line" in its instrumentation.[6] Delenda Joseph of Uproxx identified the composition as incorporating elements of funk,[7] while Idolator's Mike Wass said the single is composed over "slick, hip hop beats".[3]

Throughout the uptempo two-minute song,[4][8] Michelle raps about her critics and warns them to avoid further confrontation with her.[9] A writer from Vibe described Michelle's rapping style as "fiery".[9] The song's lyrics include: "Don't be sorry, be mindful, hoe" and “Tell that bitch to move back!”[5][10] She advises her enemies to be cautious around her through the verse; "Who the fuck told y’all hoes to open up? Cut. That’s enough!".[3] Michelle had previously rapped on a remix to American rapper Yo Gotti's 2015 single "Down in the DM",[4][7] and during her 2012 mixtape 0 Fucks Given.[11]

Critical reception

Upon its release, "Mindful" received positive reviews from music critics. Trevor Smith of HotNewHipHop praised Michelle's verses, writing that she "inject[ed] some serious attitude into her rhythmic verses".[6] The Boombox's Victoria Johnson commended the single for containing "some surprisingly slick rhymes",[12] while Elle Breezy of Singersroom described the song as "funky and full of Michelle’s big personality".[4] Britt Julious of Pitchfork praised Michelle's verses, identifying her confidence as the highlight of the single.[13]

Music video and promotion

An accompanying music video for "Mindful" was released on March 10, 2017, on Michelle's YouTube account.[2][3] It is one of four videos from More Issues Than Vogue; along with "Not a Little Bit", "Got Em Like", and "Ain't You".[14] The production of the "Mindful" video was featured on the reality television series Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta; during the episode, American dancer Karlie Redd appeared on the set to have a discussion with Michelle.[15][16]

Throughout the video, Michelle is shown in "an all female crew vs. crew battle" in a trailer park.[17] Opening with a scene of Michelle playing cards and drinking brown liquor with her friends outside her pink mobile home,[10][18] the video transitions to the singer fighting with a group of girls and dancing in the street.[5][10][19] She is shown wearing colorful clothing, including a rainbow-colored wig and a fur coat.[10][12] She is also seen cleaning her house while wearing a sheer dress, pink heels, and a blonde bob cut.[10] T-Pain does not appear in the video.[5][18] Along with the music video, Michelle also promoted "Mindful" through a performance on the VH1 special, A Night with K. Michelle, which aired on March 21, 2016.[10] She also performed the single during her album release party at Webster Hall.[20]

Various critics noted the video for its use of bright colors.[7][10][19] Victoria Johnson highlighted the singer's pink jacket decorated with the words, "Slay Michelle", which she said is reminiscent of the jackets worn by the Pink Ladies in the 1978 film Grease.[12] Revolt's Seriah Buckler praised the video as "full of color and sass" and representative of Michelle's unapologetic personality.[17]

Track listing
Digital download[21]
No.TitleLength
1."Mindful"1:55

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[1]

  • Composer – T-Pain
  • Producer – T-Pain
  • Mastering Engineer – Chris Athens
  • Vocals – K. Michelle
  • Background Vocals – Goldie, Sha Sha Jones, Sam Salter, Joi Campbell, Eric Dawkins, Eric Cire
  • Mixer – Kevin "KD" Davis
  • Programmer – T-Pain
  • Vocal Producer – Eric Cire
  • Recording – Thomas Burroughs

Release history
RegionFormatDateLabel
Worldwide Digital download[2][3][21] February 19, 2016

References
  1. "More Issues Than Vogue". Tidal. 2016. Archived from the original on June 12, 2016.
  2. "K. Michelle - Mindful (Official Audio)". YouTube. February 19, 2016. Archived from the original on February 24, 2016.
  3. Wass, Mike (March 10, 2016). "K. Michelle Reveals Eye-Popping 'More Issues Than Vogue' Calendar, Drops "Mindful" Video". Idolator. Archived from the original on July 18, 2016.
  4. Breezy, Elle (February 19, 2016). "K. Michelle & T-Pain Tell The Ho*s To Be 'Mindful' On Funky Intro". Singersroom. Archived from the original on April 28, 2016.
  5. "K. Michelle Releases New Video for "Mindful"". ABC News. 2016. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017.
  6. Smith, Trevor (February 19, 2016). "K. Michelle - Mindful". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on June 25, 2017.
  7. Joseph, Delenda (March 10, 2016). "K. Michelle Warns Foes To Be 'Mindful' In Colorful New Video". Uproxx. Archived from the original on May 15, 2016.
  8. Scott, B (February 19, 2016). "Watch: K. Michelle Feat. T-Pain - Mindful [New Music]". B. Scott. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
  9. "K. Michelle Recruits T-Pain For New Collabo, "Mindful"". Vibe. Eldridge Industries. February 22, 2016. Archived from the original on September 7, 2016.
  10. "Video: K. Michelle - Mindful". Rap-Up. March 9, 2016. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016.
  11. Buckler, Seriah (March 21, 2016). "K. Michelle's 'More Issues Than Vogue': First Thoughts". Revolt. Archived from the original on October 26, 2016.
  12. Johnson, Victoria (March 11, 2016). "K. Michelle Slays and Issues a Warning in 'Mindful' Video". The Boombox. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on May 9, 2017.
  13. Julious, Britt (April 11, 2016). "K. Michelle More Issues Than Vogue". Pitchfork. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on December 9, 2017.
  14. Wass, Mike (June 8, 2016). ""Ain't You" Is K. Michelle's Sexiest Video Yet". Idolator. Archived from the original on October 16, 2016.
  15. Tan, Emily (May 17, 2016). "'Love & Hip Hop Atlanta' Season 5, Episode 7 Recap: K. Michelle is Back". The Boombox. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on May 9, 2017.
  16. Preezy (May 17, 2016). "'Love & Hip Hop Atlanta' Season 5, Episode 7 Recap: Mimi Faust Gets Dumped, Jessica Dime Exposes Scrappy". XXL. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on May 8, 2017.
  17. Buckler, Seriah (March 11, 2016). "K. Michelle "Mindful" Of The Haters In New Video". Revolt. Archived from the original on April 12, 2016.
  18. D-Money (March 10, 2016). "K. Michelle Keeps Basic Chicks In Check In 'Mindful'". SoulBounce.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017.
  19. Parker, Najja (March 10, 2016). "Watch: K. Michelle's 'Mindful'". Jet. Archived from the original on June 18, 2016.
  20. Cowley, Patrick (March 31, 2016). "K. Michelle Flaunts Her Versatility at 'More Issues Than Vogue' Album Release Concert in New York City". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016.
  21. "Mindful". Tidal. 2016. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017.
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