Before being one half of the popular duo Run The Jewels, Killer Mike was a solo artist. Another great duo, OutKast, gave him his first opportunities to shine, especially on the song The Whole Worldwhich won a Grammy in 2002. Released the following year, the album Monster achieved some commercial success.
What followed was more difficult for Killer Mike. Until he met El-P in 2011. Their alliance first gave birth to Michael Santiago Render’s excellent fifth album, RAP Music. The Run The Jewels adventure officially began in 2013 and her triumph has only grown with every release and tour.
Thus, more than 10 years after his last solo album, Killer Mike offers Michael. In addition to the title, the portrait of him aged 9 on the cover sets the tone: this work is close to the heart.
“This shit is so Atlanta”, he says at the end of the first piece, the very felt Down by Law. The rapper was born, raised, and still resides in Georgia’s capital. This is heard in the flow, the subject, the music, the gospel choir and the collaborators. CeeLo Green, Young Thug, 6lack, Jagged Edge, Future, 2 Chainz, several “ATLiens” contributed in a brilliant way to this celebration of their corner of the country. The brilliant André 3000 even delivers one of his too rare verses on Scientists & Engineers. Produced by him, No I. D., James Blake and DJ Paul, this song is one of the highlights of Michaelbut there are many more. Shed Tears gives chills, Talk’n That Shit! shakes his head, Something for the Junkies makes you think and Motherless makes cry.
Several listenings will be necessary to grasp all the richness of Killer Mike’s texts. But its vulnerability and its authenticity, magnified by the choral songs and those of Eryn Allen Kane on three tracks, grab us from the first session of 54 minutes. The extraordinary cadence of Killer Mike and the rhythms composed by No ID and his acolytes, however, allow us to appreciate Michael without breaking your head, or breaking your heart.
Rap
Michael
Killer Mike
Loma Vista Recordings