Killer Mike’s MICHAEL garnered a “Sweep! Atlanta, it’s a sweep!”
The 48-year-old Atlanta rapper shouted into the microphone before doing a celebration that reminds you of your grandma when she caught the holy spirit during Sunday service. During the 66th annual Grammy Awards, he won Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for his track “Scientists and Engineers” and Best Rap Album for MICHAEL. It’s the first solo album for Killer Mike in over a decade. It is 14 tracks of an introspective narrative and soulful production. It features a star-studded list of Atlanta artists, including Future, André 3000, CeeLo Green, Young Thug, 2 Chainz, and more.
After celebrating a monumental moment for the Run the Jewels MC, he was detained for unknown reasons and escorted out of the Grammy Awards in handcuffs.
Killer Mike Inspires Scientists & Engineers
A rapper but more of a social and political activist, Killer Mike made his recording debut on Outkast’s fourth album, Stankonia (2000), and ever since then, he’s received critical acclaim on every project. His Grammy-winning sixth album, MICHAEL, focuses on social inequality, police brutality, and systemic racism from the perspective of a reformed drug dealer.
Killer Mike’s music reflects his lifelong goal of uplifting men in the black community. He creates working opportunities to help them achieve a sustainable lifestyle and, “real economic elevation.” With the album featuring church organs and gospel choirs reminiscent of black churches across the South, the rapper spits universal truths with themes of transformation.
The rapper’s famous for his outspoken excellence as he received an Emmy Award in 2022 for his weekly interview program. Killer Mike is about representing African-Americans in the truest light, so that they can shine as scientists and engineers.
The Son of a Cop is the Hood’s Politician
At the 45th Grammy Awards, Killer Mike won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for Outkast’s “The Whole World.” Thus, Sunday night wasn’t his first victory at the awards show. However, no one expected he’d be all over the news for being led out of the award show in handcuffs.
Not one to shy away from controversy, he investigated social issues affecting black Americans on his show Trigger Warning with Killer Mike, airing on Netflix in January 2019. Killer Mike’s MICHAEL tackles similar themes in musical form.
His father, a former police officer, Killer Mike, often speaks about the relationship between the black community and the police. A heartfelt speech after the Ferguson shooting went vital after fan-shot footage reached the internet. The world knows the former D-boy for openly expressing his philosophies about overcoming challenges in America’s underserved areas.
On Killer Mike’s MICHAEL, he speaks about the passing of his mother, teenage abortion, and the evils of drug dealing. It’s ironic that he was arrested after his most successful solo night.
“Run” the Rap Game
Five years after briefly attending Atlanta’s Morehouse College, Killer Mike was featured on a legendary album. From there, he built a lucrative rap career but more importantly, he invested in his community. This led him and his wife, Shana, to open a barbershop in Atlanta. He also partnered with others to open Greenwood Bank, an online bank targeting communities of color.
Killer Mike‘s MICHAEL captures his empathetic and hustler’s nature with tracks like “TALK’N THAT SHT!”, “SPACESHIP VIEWS,” and “DON’T LET THE DEVIL.” His profound authenticity is unapologetically raw, as he even speaks about everything from still loving his drug-addicted auntie to lecturing the youth about not using lean.
Arrested at the Grammy’s
The album obviously nods to his past, but no one knows what the future holds for Killer Mike. “Thank the Lord I ain’t a junkie, ain’t an alcoholic,” the Adamsville native rapped in soulful, more mature mood. Despite the controversy and unexpected events at the Grammy Awards, Killer Mike’s influence and contributions extend far beyond his music.
His work as an activist, entrepreneur, and community leader continues to inspire and impact many, making his Grammy night arrest a surprising footnote in an otherwise illustrious and impactful career.
Discover More Hip-Hop
RMR INTERVIEWS MEMPHIS RAPPER NLE CHOPPA
SOULS OF MISCHIEF CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF ’93 TIL INFINITY
10 LEGENDARY LATIN RAPPERS THAT PERMANENTLY INFLUENCED HIP-HOP
GRAMMY-NOMINATED SEATTLE PRODUCER KID CULTURE STEPS IN FRONT OF MIC ON “KEEP IT”
