MvkeyyJ's "Circles" Tackles Mental Health and Social Media Pressure
Words by Eric Nwokocha
Dallas native MvkeyyJ continues to show what honest hip-hop looks like with his latest single "Circles," a straightforward look at mental health struggles, social media anxiety, and the internal battles that keep us stuck in destructive patterns. Instead of offering easy answers, MvkeyyJ gives his listeners a real look into the cyclical nature of overthinking and the relief that comes from finally asking for help.
"Circles" opens with MvkeyyJ admitting "I'mma drive real slow / I'm tryna make it home / Lord / Keep my soul / I been dealing with emotions / My head spins in circles / Around / Again." The repetitive structure of these lines sets up the song's main idea—how anxiety and overthinking can trap you in loops that feel impossible to break.
What makes this track work is how MvkeyyJ talks about experiences that many of his listeners deal with but few artists address directly. When he describes emotions being "stuck on me like cellophane," he captures that suffocating feeling of mental health struggles that won't go away no matter how hard you try to shake them. It’s specific imagery that connects with anyone who's felt trapped by their own thoughts.
The first verse gets into the specific things that trigger his mental spiral, especially social media and comparison culture. "Dodging them thoughts like G.I. / Probably should check my screen time / I know I'm gon' mess around and see why / All my analytics is comparing pictures" speaks to how easy it is to measure your worth against what you see online. MvkeyyJ doesn't just mention this struggle—he makes it personal, admitting how he gets caught up in the numbers and comparisons that flood an artist's digital world.
His description of being overwhelmed by "flooded mentions" and "DM's dripping with the rappers itching at a shot at pitching" shows the less appealing side of having a platform. Rather than celebrating his success, MvkeyyJ shows how the constant noise becomes another source of stress, another reason for his head to keep spinning.
Sonically, "Circles" shows MvkeyyJ's growth as an artist, particularly his increased use of singing melodies that have become more common in his recent work. The hook, delivered through melodic vocals rather than his usual rap flow, creates a hypnotic effect that matches the cyclical theme of the lyrics. The first verse has him progressively pick up the pace of his flow, illustrating the race and speed of his spirals. This mix of sung choruses with rap verses, backed by bouncy 808s and active percussion, shows how he's expanding his sound while keeping the hip-hop foundation that defines his music.
The production and composition, by Talib Matin supports the song's emotional weight. The hi-hats and percussion create urgency that matches his racing thoughts, while the melodic elements in the chorus provide moments of relief, like brief breaks from mental chaos.
The most powerful moment in "Circles" comes in the bridge, where MvkeyyJ shifts from describing his struggle to declaring his commitment to keep fighting. The repeated "Keep fighting" becomes both a reminder to himself and a prayer, building in intensity as he works through the decision to rest while continuing the battle.
"I overthink / All the time / I lose myself / When I lose mind / Can you help me out / Somebody can you help me out" is a direct cry for help that many will recognize from their own internal struggles. MvkeyyJ's willingness to say this out loud, to admit that he can't handle everything alone, gives his listeners permission to acknowledge their own need for support.
The solution he offers isn't a quick fix or easy answer. Instead, it's recognizing that "Help is on the way / I see His face," combined with understanding that sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is rest. "I don't want to fall / So I'm gon' rest while I / Keep fighting" shows the mature faith perspective that knows when to push forward and when to step back.
Like his previous work, "Circles" shows MvkeyyJ's commitment to meeting his listeners where they are, rather than where he thinks they, and himself, should be. He's not preaching from a place of victory; he's walking through the struggle alongside anyone who's ever felt trapped in their own mental loops. This honesty has always been his greatest strength as an artist, and "Circles" reinforces why music like this matters in hip-hop.
In a genre that can feel pressure to only share victory stories, MvkeyyJ continues to make space for the ongoing process of growth, struggle, and faith. "Circles" reminds us that sometimes the most honest prayer is asking God to keep your soul while you figure out how to make it home.
Stream "Circles" and follow MvkeyyJ on Instagram to stay updated on his music, upcoming shows, and journey.
Photos and Cover Art by Rashun Ludgood
