Michael is Killer Mike's first solo album in over a decade, after the politically charged R.A.P. Music led to the formation of Run the Jewels with producer/rapper El-P, altering the trajectory of Mike's music career and eventually returning him to the Top Ten of the Billboard 200 with 2020's RTJ4. The 2023 effort is both an autobiographical reflection on his life's journey to this point as well as a musical homecoming, largely drawing from gospel, funk, soul, and '90s Dirty South rap. Haunting choral vocals and church organs call out beneath the booming beats and nimble bass guitars on songs like the confessional "Shed Tears" and empowering, Last Poets-sampling "Nrich." Much of the album finds Mike navigating through his numerous identities (hip-hop lifer, loyal churchgoer, family figure, social justice activist, property owner, businessman, wealthy celebrity), acknowledging his contradictions with the album's cover, a childhood portrait bearing both a halo and devil horns. "Talk'N That Shit!," co-produced by Three 6 Mafia's DJ Paul, addresses those who accuse Mike of having "gone to sleep" and turning his back on his previous positions. While he brags about being a landlord on "Spaceship Views," he expresses empathy for the less advantaged on several other songs, most notably "Something for Junkies," in which he acknowledges the humanity of substance abusers. In particular, he refers to conversations with an aunt addicted to crack, who says that she knows he loves her because he treats her like a human being. Mike mourns the loss of his mother and grandmother on the vulnerable, apologetic "Motherless." "Don't Let the Devil," the record's only song featuring co-production and a guest verse by El-P, finds the two in boast-heavy Run the Jewels mode as they criticize the church system. One of the album's most attention-grabbing tracks, "Scientists & Engineers," boasts a weightless yet robotic intro guest verse by André 3000, followed by second-generation Dungeon Family recruit Future, then finally a lush choir backing Mike's breathless triple-time rapping. Though Michael can get overbearing at times, the production is generally stellar, and it's easily the rapper's most honest and emotional work.Michael is Killer Mike's first solo album in over a decade, after the politically charged R.A.P. Music led to the formation of Run the Jewels with producer/rapper El-P, altering the trajectory of Mike's music career and eventually returning him to the Top Ten of the Billboard 200 with 2020's RTJ4. The 2023 effort is both an autobiographical reflection on his life's journey to this point as well as a musical homecoming, largely drawing from gospel, funk, soul, and '90s Dirty South rap. Haunting choral vocals and church organs call out beneath the booming beats and nimble bass guitars on songs like the confessional "Shed Tears" and empowering, Last Poets-sampling "Nrich." Much of the album finds Mike navigating through his numerous identities (hip-hop lifer, loyal churchgoer, family figure, social justice activist, property owner, businessman, wealthy celebrity), acknowledging his contradictions with the album's cover, a childhood portrait bearing both a halo and devil horns. "Talk'N That Shit!," co-produced by Three 6 Mafia's DJ Paul, addresses those who accuse Mike of having "gone to sleep" and turning his back on his previous positions. While he brags about being a landlord on "Spaceship Views," he expresses empathy for the less advantaged on several other songs, most notably "Something for Junkies," in which he acknowledges the humanity of substance abusers. In particular, he refers to conversations with an aunt addicted to crack, who says that she knows he loves her because he treats her like a human being. Mike mourns the loss of his mother and grandmother on the vulnerable, apologetic "Motherless." "Don't Let the Devil," the record's only song featuring co-production and a guest verse by El-P, finds the two in boast-heavy Run the Jewels mode as they criticize the church system. One of the album's most attention-grabbing tracks, "Scientists & Engineers," boasts a weightless yet robotic intro guest verse by André 3000, followed by second-generation Dungeon Family recruit Future, then finally a lush choir backing Mike's breathless triple-time rapping. Though Michael can get overbearing at times, the production is generally stellar, and it's easily the rapper's most honest and emotional work. 2xLP on Metallic Gold Vinyl 1 Down by Law 3:31 with CeeLo Green2 Shed Tears 4:50 feat. Lena Byrd Miles with Mozzy3 Run 4:46 feat. Young Thug4 Nrich 4:40 feat. 6LACK & Eryn Allen Kane5 Talk'n That Shit! 2:546 Slummer 4:36 with Jagged Edge7 Scientists & Engineers 4:14 feat. Eryn Allen Kane & Future with André 30008 Two Days 2:14 with Ty Dolla $ign9 Spaceship Views 3:12 with Curren$y, 2 Chainz, Kaash Paige10 Exit 9 2:42 with Blxst11 Something for Junkies 4:38 with Fabo12 Motherless 3:54 with Eryn Allen Kane13 Don't Let the Devil 2:46 feat. thankugoodsir with El-P14 High & Holy 4:54 with Ty Dolla $ign
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