Killer Mike, referred to as Michael when he plays live, is on the top of his game. The three-time Grammy award-winning Atlanta rap star made this known on Wednesday night as he strolled on the stage, behind him a five-piece vocal choir called The Mighty Midnight Revival and a DJ.
“Y’all thought this was only going to be a heavy rap show, but we brought an all-Black church up here,” Michael chimed. “We’re gonna have super dope bars about dope boys, but it’s about to get spiritual up in here.”
The combination of Killer Mike’s poetic/super-fast catchy Southern rap verse, and thick, bass-coated beats backed up by a choir of singers with an unbelievable range was pure bliss. It felt like a new kind of hip hop, not only limited to dirty trap rap beats but with extraordinary possibilities. Killer Mike even slapped on a few Run The Jewels songs backed up by the choir, but most of the set was from the critically acclaimed MICHAEL album. No complaints and Killer Mike is a born performer, giving context to many of the songs and getting real with the crowd during a number like “Reagan.”
There were two big rap shows at FIJM this year and while Freddie Gibbs and The El Michels affair was fun, Killer Mike takes the win. Killer Mike has proved time and time again that he is adaptable, able to make immeasurable rap bars (even with his older material like the fantastic R.A.P. Music album from 2012) that put him up there with the greats, but also co-MC and produce Run The Jewels with his creative partner EL-P. But this live MICHAEL project is truly a marvel to behold, and I’m sorry if you missed it.
Photo credit : @frederiquema for FIJM
