Killer Mike is a 48 year old MC, songwriter, actor & activist from Atlanta, Georgia who was brought into the limelight due to his feature on “The Whole World” off of OutKast’s eponymous greatest his collection. He eventually signed to Columbia Records & put out the full-length debut Monster in the spring of 2003, following it up with the I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind trilogy through his self-owned Grind Time Official Records with the exception of Grand Hustle Records helping distribute the final installment. The last we heard from Mike on his own was over a decade ago when his future Run the Jewels cohort El-P fully produced the critically acclaimed R.A.P. (Rebellious African People) Music through the [adult swim] owned Williams Street Records alongside GTO & Grand Hustle of course, but is now enlisting Chicago veteran No I.D. behind the boards all throughout his 6th album after signing a new solo deal with Loma Vista Recordings last summer.

“Down by Law” is a soulful trap opener produced by Corey Mo with Michael talking about how nobody would’ve known who he was without the praise he’s received up throughout the years whereas “Sher Tears” featuring Mozzy takes the gospel route thanks to No I.D. declaring that today’s the day you’ll find rest in your soul. “Run” featuring Young Thug was a triumphant lead single to begin the rollout for the album making it clear that the race for freedom ain’t won just before “N***a Rich” featuring 6LACK has a heavenly instrumental from Cool & Dre talking about making your own rules.

Meanwhile, the sophomore single “Talkin’ That Shit!” draws from the Memphis scene courtesy of founding Three 6 Mafia member DJ Paul with co-production from TWhy belittling those on that hoe ass shit leading into “Slummer” showing some more gospel influences with the beat reflecting on a teenage love as Jagged Edge pulls off some marvelous vocal performances. “Scientists & Engineers” featuring fellow Dungeon Family members André 3000 & Future gives off a more experimental flare instrumentally talking about living forever prior to “2 Days” displaying Don Cannon blending these organs with guitars, kicks, snares & hi-hats feeling like the world against him.

“Spaceship Views” featuring Curren$y & 2 Chainz is a spacious trap banger that da Honorable C.N.O.T.E. laced dedicated to weed with Kaash Paige dropping some “yeah” adlibs à la Travis Scott that’re just distracting & annoying, but then “Exit 9” featuring Blxst on the hook sees Beat Butcha cooking up a slicker vibe getting on the more celebratory side lyrically. “Something For the Junkies” lives up to it’s name as a morbid trap ode to substance abusers while “Motherless” fuses pop rap with conscious hip hop & neo-soul talking about his deceased mother profoundly. The penultimate track “Don’t Let the Devil” gives us a taste of what’s to come from Run the Jewels 5 as El-P produces the chipmunk soul infused 3rd single & spits the final guest verse on the entire album towards the backend of it cautioning not to let Satan pressure you while “High & Holy” finishes off on a summery note so he can talk about his life being a testimony.

In honor of the album winning 3 Grammys, I’ve decided to finally cover the 4 bonus tracks since I never got around to it in the fall. The first of which “Yes!” begins by clashing gospel & boom bap discussing that he doesn’t cap about what he puts on wax while the solemn trap jam “Maynard Vignette” featuring J.I.D & T.I. gives a glimpse of the trio refusing to slow down. “Get Some Money” has to be my favorite bonus cut here encouraging to stack chips paying homage to the greatest H-Town duo ever UGK & lastly, “Act Up” featuring Young Nudy ends the deluxe on a triumphant note advising not to fuck with them when strapped up with the sticks.

As someone who considers OutKast to be the greatest duo in hip hop history & got put onto Killer Mike through them, what he delivers throughout Michael is 110% on par with if not superior to R.A.P. (Rebellious African People) Music because he just dropped another classic over a decade later like ain’t shit. It’s essentially an audio movie or like an August Wilson play telling the story & beautiful nuances of what it was like to be him growing up in the deeply religious westside of Atlanta with the features being unparalleled.

Score: 4.5/5

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