ALBUM REVIEW: Killer Mike ‘Michael’
Sports and Music Editor Will Lyons takes a look into the sixth studio album from Atlanta rap veteran Killer Mike ‘Michael’.
Killer Mike has been one of the faces of rap in Atlanta for many years, he is one half of the group Run the Jewels and a member of hip hop royalty in ATL’s Dungeon Family.
Mike has created a few different lanes for himself gaining fanfare for his work with Run the Jewels, standout feature verses as a solo artist and for his presence as a pro-black man leveraging his celebrity to better his people. Killer Mike even had a show on Netflix, ‘Trigger Warning’ was an incredibly entertaining show where Mike shines a light on black entrepreneurship and the idea of black people entertaining segregation to strengthen our community.
‘Michael’ is a 14-track album that does a masterful job of showing the multi-faceted subject of blackness and teaches listeners a lot about Mike. He has a list of notable features enlisting arguably the world’s greatest feature rapper in Andre 3000, comedy legend Dave Chapelle, Dungeon Family legends Cee-lo Green and Future, Jagged Edge, Young Thug, and West Coast spitter Mozzy. There are other features throughout the album including 6lack, Run the Jewels member EI-P, Ty Dolla Sign and West Coast artist Blxst.
There are features from artists from various coasts and musical styles but Killer Mike does a great job of embodying Atlanta throughout the project. He has a unique ability to sound conscious, chaotic and vulnerable at any given time. After years in the game Killer Mike flexes his intellect more than he flexes his bank account giving him a more relatable sound than most of his peers.
Standout Tracks
NRICH Ft 6lack, Eyn Allen Kane — Killer Mike and 6lack is the collaboration I never knew I needed. This pro-black track is taken to another level with vocalist Eyn Allen Kane and the choir/organ combo built into the production.
Down By Law Ft Cee-lo Green — Mike starts this album off with a haymaker. If you never listened to Killer Mike this is the type of attention grabbing track that would be a great introduction. Add in the super talented Cee-lo Green and you have something special.
Scientists and Engineers ft Andre 3000, Future — Killer Mike and Future did their thing but this is about 3 Stacks. Andre 3000 walks around the world traveling and enjoying life then decides to drop one of the best verses you’ve ever heard in your life. Truly special stuff.
Conclusion
Killer Mike’s 6th studio album is a culmination of the veteran’s commitment to the rap game and more importantly to his sound. This project has something for hip-hop purists and trap fans alike in a way that few rappers can accomplish. Mike has been around through various eras of Hip-Hop remaining consistent and holding his own with some of the most respected lyricists around. ‘Michael’ earns a 10 out of 10 turning in the best rap project out of Atlanta to date in 2023.
