SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: KILLER MIKE – MICHAEL

Killer Mike
Michael
Loma Vista Records

Half of Run The Jewels and perhaps the most underrated and overlooked solo artist in hip-hop, Killer Mike has released what should, without a doubt, be considered his breakthrough solo album, Michael. Despite being his sixth album, and his first in over a decade, Michael puts it all on the table, demonstrating Killer Mike’s worth as a top tier hip-hop artist. Don’t believe me? Who else could assemble both Dave Chappelle and André 3000 as collaborators?

Michael opens with “Down By Law”, a song driven by a grooving bass line, a Hammond organ, a loose and bassy beat — those 808 will shake your neighbourhood – and the gospel-inspired vocals of CeeLo Green. The contrastingly modern yet retro beat is incredibly lush and immediately unique. While it is easy to lay back as a rich soundscape floats through the speakers, Killer Mike bursts in with the fiery energy of a napalm bomb. Relentless; prolific; intense; this is what you should expect from Killer Mike, and you’ll never find him slipping below this bar he’s set for himself. Killer Mike separates himself as a contemporary force within hip-hop with the juxtaposition between organic beats and his ferocious flow that is central on Michael.

With lyrical content ranging from reflecting on his personal life – from the passing of his mother to persevering as an under the radar figure in hip-hop culture for nearly two decades – and the modern African American experience, Michael is a strikingly powerful album. Additionally, the use of featured artists further elevates the album, most notably including the stirring spoken word introduction from Chappelle on the album version of “Run”, 2 Chainz on “Spaceship Views”, Eryn Allen Kane’s stellar vocals through much of the album, and of course, a rare verse from André 3000 on “Scientists & Engineers” that will leave you questioning when he will reconsider returning to the rap game. Factor in the emotional core of the album, “Motherless” and the explosive “Don’t Let The Devil” – featuring Run The Jewels’ El-P and thankyougoodsir, this could be the rap single of 2023 – and Michael is truly a refreshingly pivotal take on modern hip-hop.

Through Michael, Killer Mike has finally found his voice as a solo artist outside of Run The Jewels. His latest record demonstrates his viability as a rapper and songwriter that can stand on his own two feet. While I could go on endlessly about how this man should be dominating hip-hop, Kendrick Lamar stated it best nearly a decade ago, and to paraphrase, if you miss when hip-hop was centred around rapping – honest and impactful lyrics spat with integrity into a syncopated flow – then Killer Mike should be a platinum selling artist. There is no doubt in my mind that Michael will be the greatest hip-hop record released this year and should garner Killer Mike the respect owed to him and his creative output. After Michael, never again will you sleep on the prowess that is Killer Mike.

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