Album Review: Killer Mike, Michael

Killer Mike

Michael (released June 16, 2023)

Unless you’re new around here – and if that’s the case, that sounds like a personal problem you need to correct immediately – you know we’ve been looking back at some of the greatest albums in hip-hop history in honor of the #HipHop50 celebration.

Not long ago, I ranked the 50 best albums of the previous decade, and there was a result that surprised both readers and even me, the list curator – Killer Mike landed in three separate spots on that list, along with one additional honorable mention. The only other artist with that many placements was Kendrick Lamar.

That’s rarified air.

Though he might not have the mainstream acclaim that K Dot carries, whether with his partner-in-rhyme El-P in Run the Jewels or holding it down on his own, Killer Mike put the entire 2010 rap scene on his back.

By the look of things, the game ain’t changed for the 2020s.

Michael is Killer Mike’s first solo venture since 2012’s incredible R.A.P. Music and, as always, the ATLien is never at a loss for words. In fact, this return to solo projects feels more like a homecoming in more ways than one.

The gospel influence of Michael resounds throughout the project. It feels like the kid who grew up in church coming home for summer revival to appease grandma and immediately being taken back to his roots. After spending a decade in the wilderness, the prodigal son is home.

And homie has a lot to say.

“Down By Law” isn’t just the album opener, it’s the template for the entire project and one of the strongest offerings overall. Cee-Lo Green’s vocals resonate with the power of 10,000 Easter choirs as Killer Mike goes ballistic over hard-hitting trap drums:

Lift every voice, this the song that I sing
Born in the womb of a beautiful teen
I am a beautiful, wonderful thing
I am a king, my woman’s a queen
Master the heart, say we are the God
I study hard like John Henrik Clarke
Even in my days of whippin’ it hard
I’ll tell the devil that Black man is God

These are affirmation of Mike’s truths, wrapped in layers of spirituality. Trap gospel indeed.

As with every Mike album, there are quotables aplenty. “Politicians lie and your favorite rapper is a con … Only Ls I wear is followed by Vuitton,” he spits on “Run,” a song that equates upward mobility with, well, being mobile. Meanwhile, as you’d expect from its name, “Talk’n S***” is nearly 3 minutes of smack talk, with the beat evolving as Mike’s rants get more menacing:

First rule you better understand
You dealing with a real Black man
If I said it, I meant it, I meant it like I said it ’cause I said what I said, understand?
So stay in your place, lil’ man

The album’s production plays as big of a role in the storytelling as Mike’s razor-sharp bars. “Shed Tears” is that potent blend of soul and street that reminds you of the glory day of Kanye West’s production prowess while the “NRich” boats sinister keys and a foreboding atmosphere. There’s even time for lighter moments – the gentle acoustics of “Exit 9” sound like they should be on a 2003 106 & Park countdown show, not a Killer Mike album. But it’s the perfect groove for a summer record. Mike wisely doesn’t lose his edge.

But most of the album’s attention likely will go toward its many, many guest stars. Usually, when albums are overstuffed with guests it’s a red flag. But in this case, almost everyone goes above and beyond. Andre 3000 emerges from his underground bunker filled with flutes and skullcaps to hop on “Scientists & Engineers,” delivering his annual head-turning verse. Future also shows up on that track, sounding like he has a mouth full of TV static as usual, but doesn’t totally drag down the song. In fact, it’s Eryn Allen Kane’s vocals that steal the show here and two additional tracks on Michael. She’s the album’s true MVP, adding so much soul to the proceedings.

“Slummer” is a fine return to form for Jagged Edge, with the Casey clan adding a lot of heart to the backing choir’s sobering story about teenage pregnacy. “They call it adolescence cuz we learning adult lessons,” Mike adds. Give credit where it’s due – Young Thug really steps up his game for his contribution on “Run” while Mike, Curren$y, 2 Chainz and Kaash Paige unite to form a new Guardians of the rap Galaxy on “Spaceship Views.” And yes, the Jewelz runners reunite as El-P and thankyougoodsir show up for “Don’t Let the Devil” – it’s always good to hear the gang back together but, honestly, it lacks the depth of most of the latter tracks on the album carry.

Specifically, “Something for Junkies” puts a different face on the conversation around drug abuse, quite literally. Mike tells a story of addiction from the perspective of his aunt, from the facade of glamour that drugs promised her to the depressing reality that eventually crashed around her. “Motherless” goes even deeper into Black pain, as Mike grapples with life after losing his mother and grandmother:

My mama dead
My grandmama dead
I miss ’em so much, sometimes, I just cry and hold my head
They left the world of man, like me and make sure all prepared
To live a life to make sure my wife ain’t gon’ beg for bread

Though every bar resonates with pain, Mike never breaks. Instead, his mama and his mama’s mama taught him to be a better man for his baby’s mama.

Michael may be bursting at the seams with guest stars but make no mistake, Michael is Mike’s story. Run the Jewels fans might miss the frenetic pace of those collabo projects, but Mike’s decision to embrace introspection instead pays off. He’s as politically defiant as ever, but Michael’s laser-focus on the Black family structure truly resonates.

We’re halfway through 2023 and there’s been a glaring lack of great rap releases, but, thankfully, Michael bucks that trend.

In the case of Killer Mike, it’s proof that you can go home again.

Best tracks: “Down By Law,” “Talk’n That S***,” “Motherless”

4 stars out of 5