Killer Mike albums

2023

Michael - 78%

Killer Mike felt like he wanted to branch out some and he finally had the resource he need to make the ultimate solo album. Since his most recent solo record, Rap Music (2012) in which he first combined his rapping with producer El-P, they had formed the hugely successful Run the Jewels with 4 very well received albums and world tours. Together, those two can conquer just about anything as seen on the sole El-P collab present here “Don’t Let the Devil Win” which is the most….let’s say obvious win on the album. But what the self titled Michael is actually about is getting deeper, deeper to Mike’s roots and reuniting many of his friends to make a spiritual release of a record. “Shed no Tears” is full of gospel choirs that it takes over any rapping present, and “Motherless” is a song about how he misses his mother that brings him to tears every time he performs it and nearly does us as well.

Killer Mike’s version of emotional release is different than his work with Run the Jewels, as this album is more like something performed at a funeral about half the time. Oddly, the other half is a party record featuring Andre 3000’s return to rap (“Scientists and Engineers”), Dave Chappelle intros (“Run”), Cee Lo Green (“Down by Law”), Ty Dolla Sign (“High and Holy” and the fantastic “Two Days”). “Talkin Shit” must change tempos and styles at least four times, and even when he falters somewhat on “Exit One” its forgivable because so much of this works and walks that difficult line between emotional joy and devastation so well. I’m glad he got his album to release some demons, and now….on to Run the Jewels 5!

 

Best Songs: Don’t Let the Devil, Shed No Tears, Talkin that Shit, Motherless