Country : United States Label : Loma Vista Genres and styles : Hip Hop Year : 2023

Killer Mike – Michael

· by CCJ Gabriel

In what is a mix of new tracks and singles from the past year, Killer Mike has dropped his first solo album, Michael, since the inception of Run The Jewels. Finally, a Hip-Hop / Rap album longer than just over 30 minutes, Michael showcases the best of Killer Mike’s emceeing abilities and features awesome productions and collaborations; from Cee Lo Green to Young Thug, André 3000 to Future, Ty Dolla Sign to 2 Chainz, and many more, this album is incredibly stacked. 

I want to get my biggest personal and subjective criticism of this album out of the way early because it’s actually something that doesn’t exclusively pertain to this project, but rather to Killer Mike himself. Although Mike’s rapping style is aggressive, iconic, and at times incredibly thought-provoking, almost all of his verses sound the same. I feel like he has two or three rhythms and cadences that he falls back on basically every song, and it’s one of those things where I’ve had friends say to me ‘Once you’ve heard one of his verses, you’ve heard them all.”

That being said, this is precisely why songs like “RUN” featuring Dave Chappelle and Young Thug stand out so much on Michael. Killer Mike completely slows up his style and hits you with pauses during the hook and verses that really draw you into singing along with them. This album is filled with strong black empowerment messaging and is needed today in hip-hop. We have veered so far off of what hip-hop culture really is these days and people like Killer Mike keep it alive with projects like this. Sonically, everything hits on all levels. Every production is on point, and all of the mixing and mastering sounds perfect. Mike is one of the few artists who can collaborate with legendary rappers who really came to spit, as well as autotune rappers who come to sauce. “Scientists & Engineers” featuring the aforementioned Outkast member André 3000 and Future went viral before the release of Michael for a reason. This is unquestionably the standout, highlight of the album. It amalgamates old-school and modern hip-hop and R&B stylings perfectly. Michael is a must-listen album if you’re a Hip-Hop head or enjoy rap music at all. Nothing is touching this joint all summer.

Latest 360 Content

Transforming Hiroshima mon amour into contemporary opera: Christian Lapointe and Rosa Lind tell the story

Transforming Hiroshima mon amour into contemporary opera: Christian Lapointe and Rosa Lind tell the story

Sparks – MAD!

Sparks – MAD!

“Hiroshima, mon amour”: An Evening to Remember

“Hiroshima, mon amour”: An Evening to Remember

Peter Murphy – Silver Shade

Peter Murphy – Silver Shade

Ken Pomeroy – Cruel World

Ken Pomeroy – Cruel World

Art of the Line: Klangkarussell’s Euro Vision at SAT

Art of the Line: Klangkarussell’s Euro Vision at SAT

Festival des Saveurs | Closing With Reggae

Festival des Saveurs | Closing With Reggae

Centroamérica – a powerful docu-play about truth and connection in an age of distance and denial

Centroamérica – a powerful docu-play about truth and connection in an age of distance and denial

Lido Pimienta – La Belleza

Lido Pimienta – La Belleza

Tamir Barzilay – Phosphene Journal

Tamir Barzilay – Phosphene Journal

The best ‘’Candlelight concert‘’ ever.

The best ‘’Candlelight concert‘’ ever.

Men I Trust – Equus Caballus

Men I Trust – Equus Caballus

The Halluci Nation – Path of the Baby Face

The Halluci Nation – Path of the Baby Face

A lap steel guitar choir and an angel to end the Innovations en concert 24-25 season

A lap steel guitar choir and an angel to end the Innovations en concert 24-25 season

The OSM and Abel Selaocoe: Evenings When You’d Like to Stop Time

The OSM and Abel Selaocoe: Evenings When You’d Like to Stop Time

Reaching for the sky: Francis Choinière’s challenge to end his OPCM’s 10th season

Reaching for the sky: Francis Choinière’s challenge to end his OPCM’s 10th season

Piknic 3: A Little Bit of Everything Under the Sun

Piknic 3: A Little Bit of Everything Under the Sun

Cazzu – Latinaje

Cazzu – Latinaje

Stereolab – Instant Holograms On Metal Film

Stereolab – Instant Holograms On Metal Film

SMCQ | In memoriam Jocelyn Morlock

SMCQ | In memoriam Jocelyn Morlock

Abbey Road at Festival Classica

Abbey Road at Festival Classica

Mira Choquette – Hier encore

Mira Choquette – Hier encore

Jared Dunn; Anna Gorecka – Gorecki’s World of the Piano

Jared Dunn; Anna Gorecka – Gorecki’s World of the Piano

Subscribe to our newsletter