“As an artist, I deeply have reverence for Travis Scott, he’s amazing,” he said. “[But] I’m never going to think anybody deserves anything in front of me, especially when I put in my best. A lot of his fans, they don’t like Mike now. And I have to accept that, that’s fine.”
He continued, “There’s going to come a time in their life when their mother dies. There’s going to come a time in their life when someone that they cared for deeply dies. And the question is, what song you going to pivot to? I happen to have a record called ‘Motherless‘ that acknowledges that. A lot of those fans are young men, and they’re trying to find their way. I listen to Travis and I jam, but man, does the record hit you like shedding tears when she won’t let you see your child? When child support on your black ass for the mistakes you’ve made? That’s what my music does. It’s there for you. It’s the blues, baby.”
Travis Scott fans have been pretty hurt over the fact that Killer Mike took home Best Rap Album at the 2024 GRAMMYs. The Houston native’s fourth studio album, UTOPIA, was a smashing success overall, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough. Since that night, the debates have been nonstop. It didn’t help that the Atlanta, Georgia MC took some subliminal shots at La Flame on his recent album, Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival, Sings For Sinners And Saints. “STILL TALK’N THAT S***”, the closing track, sees Mike continue to taunt his new foe. “You gon’ respect me like a motherf***in’ Grammy winner / Like I cooked your favorite rapper like a granny dinner (Yeah)“.
This even got to Travis Scott’s manager, David Stromberg. He responded to these exact lyrics, comparing Mike to former controversial GRAMMY winners who may have not deserved the award. “Macklemore and Cardi B tour selling out Chuck E Cheese karaoke nights near u,” Stromberg tweeted. Speaking of the Run The Jewels MC’s recent album, the first week sales for it were revealed and they weren’t eye-popping in a good way. DJ Akademiks shared on his IG that it only moved 2,874 units and this graphic was the foundation he used to rekindle the debate of the GRAMMYs losing their validity.
This set off some Mike supporters, stating how it’s always going to be quality over sales. “Killer Mike’s new album had ZERO promotion. S*** just dropped out of nowhere. But I don’t understand what album sales have to do with album quality”, one user replies. “Quality of music isn’t measured by numbers,” another adds. Then, Scott fans fired back with a tired argument. “Still never heard a killer Mike song”. However, there are some who were trying to flat out embarrass Mike. “Obviously its irrelevant its been months since he won that award and that album is still irrelevant as it was beforehow u win rap album of the year if the album u dropped had 0 effect on culture”.
What are your thoughts on Travis Scott and Killer Mike fans continuing the GRAMMYs debate? Where do you stand on who should have won Best Rap Album? Do you think Mike would have sold more had there been more promotion? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Killer Mike and Travis Scott. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Travis Scott got on the wrong side of an altercation on August 9. The Houston rapper was arrested for getting into a fight with his bodyguard at a luxury hotel in Paris. According to People Magazine, Scott’s representatives are still working to get the rapper freed. “We are in direct communication with the local Parisian authorities,” they noted in a written statement. “To swiftly resolve this matter and will provide updates when appropriate.” Apparently, Scott’s legal team aren’t the only ones working to get him out though. Kai Cenat, streamer extraordinaire, decided to offer assistance as well.
Cenat was also in Paris for the Olympics, and decided to roll the dice with French authorities. He went up to a random squad car and asked that Travis Scott be released ASAP. “Please, just free Travis right now,” he said to the officer behind the wheel. “Everybody’s concerned, everybody’s worried, so we gotta get him freed.” Kai Cenat voices frustration when he realizes the officer doesn’t speak English. He then goes to a Black officer and attempts the same routine. The second officer confirms that he doesn’t know who Scott is, but Cenat isn’t buying it. “Bro, Travis Scott,” he asserted. “It’s lit! Fein! Y’all just had arrested him yesterday.” No dice. The streamer walks away from the interaction empty-handed.
Kai Cenat and Travis Scott have developed a close friendship over the years. The latter has called Cenat during his streams, and have even linked up for 24 hour streams in the past. Cenat is also a huge fan of Scott’s music. He regularly posts reactions to new Scott music, and even went viral when Scott went 0 for at the 2024 Grammy Awards. Cenat was visibly frustrated by the fact that Travis Scott failed win any of the rap categories. “Who decided this motherf*cker?,” the streamer asked. “Who the f*ck decided this motherf*cker? Her Loss? Utopia? Metro Boomin?”
The viral moment happened back in February, but has actually become relevant again. Killer Mike, the rapper who beat Travis Scott in multiple categories, seemingly dissed the Houston rapper on his new album. Mike evidently felt a way about the pushback he got from celebrity names like Kai Cenat, and asserted that he was deserving of the wins. “You gon respect me like a motherf*ckin’ Grammy winner,” Killer Mike rapped on the album. “Like I cooked your favorite rapper like a Granny dinner.”
Travis Scott and Killer Mike are keeping beef alive in 2024. Fans are waiting to see if Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar will resume, but there’s trouble brewing Huncho Jack and one half of Run the Jewels. And it’s for an odd reason. Mike won three awards at the recent Grammys. Travis Scott was competing in the same categories, and went home empty handed. Fans then overran the internet with claims that Killer Mike stole from their favorite rapper. It seemed like a done deal, until Mike released his new album. On said album, he threw some pretty blatant shots at “Sicko Mode” star.
The alleged diss came on the album’s closer, “STILL TALK’N THAT SH*T.” Killer Mike makes it clear that he didn’t steal anything, he merely cooked Travis Scott in terms of artistry. “You gon respect me like a motherf*ckin’ Grammy winner,” Mike spits. “Like I cooked your favorite rapper like a Granny dinner.” It doesn’t take a lot of analysis to get the message. Killer Mike obviously felt a way about the backlash to his crowning Grammy moment. The rapper’s justification, though, did not stop Travis Scott’s manager from getting into the mix. David Stromberg was not pleased with what Mike had to say, and mocked him back on Twitter.
Stromberg took the wind out of Killer Mike’s by making some heinous comparisons. He aligned the ATL rapper with other artists who won Grammy Awards that were deemed to be unworthy in retrospect. The kind of artists that Killer Mike would not be compared to under any other circumstances. “Macklemore and Cardi B tour selling out Chuck E Cheese karaoke nights near u,” he tweeted. Stromberg also made note of the fact that the artists in question have since fallen off. Macklemore infamously beat Kendrick Lamar for Best Rap Album in 2013, and he effectively doomed his career by apologizing. He also beat Kanye West’s Yeezus, which Scott co-produced. Cardi B, on the other hand, won Best Rap Album over Travis Scott in 2019.
Killer Mike’s bars likely struck a chord with Travis Scott and his management. Scott has been open about his desire to win a Grammy, and has been nominated ten times. “The award is just like at one point was held up to a higher stature, but I still believe it,” he said during an appearance on The Shop. It’s crazy… You gotta perform at 8:30. So imagine losing at 1:30 and having to sit there for seven hours. Like f*ck this sh*t.” Travis Scott has generally avoided rap beefs throughout his career. We’ll see if he takes the bait and decides to go at Mike.
Killer Mike is an underground legend. The rapper came up as an Outkast protege in the 2000s, before striking gold as one half of Run the Jewels. He doesn’t have hits, per say, but he’s widely praised for his lyrical ability. He’s the sort of artist that wins Grammy Awards, not the sort that tops the Billboard charts. The fact that he did just that during the 2024 Grammys, actually led to controversy. Many fans felt that Mike robbed Travis Scott of a chance to secure his first ever golden statue. This narrative is something that Mike decided to dig back up on his new album.
Songs for Sinners & Saints is an excellent release. Killer Mike does his thing over a batch of soulful beats. The closing track, though, “STILL TALK’N THAT SH*T,” made it clear that he had some bones to pick as a result of the Grammy controversy. He decided to remind Travis Scott, and the rapper’s fanbase, that he’s deserving of taking home hip-hop awards. As far as Killer Mike is concerned, he “cooked” Scott, and will happily do it again. “You gon respect me like a motherf*ckin’ Grammy winner,” he raps. “Like I cooked your favorite rapper like a Granny dinner.” There are no names mentioned, but the Grammy reference makes it clear who Mike has in mind.
Travis Scott has been nominated for ten Grammy Awards throughout his career, and has yet to win. He admitted frustration over this fact during an April appearance on The Shop. “You play football to win a Super Bowl, you play basketball to win championships,” he noted. “It’s what that Grammy used to mean is the idea I hold on to. I love to create music.” Scott’s fanbase was irate over the fact that he lost in three hip-hop categories to Killer Mike. Adin Ross and Kai Cenat ranted about the snub during their respective Twitch streams, and the latter even admitted to not knowing who Killer Mike was.
Cenat’s comments, in particular, sparked a debate within the larger hip-hop community. Older fans felt that Mike was deserving of his three Grammy wins, and younger fans felt like Scott was due. Joe Budden highlighted this divide on his podcast. “Shut up for a change. I’m so sick of these n**gas,” he exclaimed. “We gotta rush behind Killer Mike. Killer Mike won, we gotta let these n**gas know what the f*ck we really think.” Evidently, Killer Mike feels the same way.
Killer Mike really struck a chord with his 2023 album MICHAEL. He decided to move away from the aggressive sound that characterized his work in Run the Jewels. Instead, he spit over smooth, soulful, and often gospel-influence beats. We all loved it. Killer Mike decided to dig further into this gospel vibe, and the religious imagery that accompanies it, on his new album. Where MICHAEL took a nostalgic POV, though, Songs for Sinners & Saints opts for a grittier, grounded approach. Fans are going to love this too.
The aggression of the opener is going to be jarring to some. “BUSSIN BRICKS INTRO” feels more in line with the glitchy, angry energy that Killer Mike perfected with RTJ. The rest of Songs for Sinners & Saints takes a more laid-back approach. Anthony Hamilton sounds fantastic on the funky “NOBODY KNOWS.” The one-two punch of “HUMBLE ME” and “HIGHER LEVEL” distill the sounds and themes of the album down to perfect Southern rap cuts. Both feature soulful instrumentals and stellar flows from Killer Mike. The latter is especially fun, thanks to an interpolation of Outkast’s “Ms. Jackson.” Offset and Blxst keep the quality bar high on the touching Rico Wade tribute “EXIT 9 (SCENIC ROUTE).” Key Glock and Project Pat, meanwhile, bolster the hardest song on the entire album: “STILL TALK’N THAT SH*T.” Killer Mike is at the peak of his powers here. All Killer, no filler.
Lil Yachty really set the internet on fire. The rapper made several public appearances during the last few days of July, each time making a statement that incited debate. He got pushback for defending Drake in the Kendrick Lamar battle. He was chastised for leaking a song he couldn’t get a sample cleared for. The most notable Yachty, controversy, though, stemmed from his comments about fashion. He claimed that Atlanta sets the fashion trends in hip-hop, which led to lots of criticism from rappers living in the rest of the country. One of the few rappers who seemingly agreed with Lil Boat was Killer Mike.
Killer Mike hopped on Twitter on August 1 to set the record straight. He referred to the Yachty debate as “lame,” but did provide examples of Atlanta setting trends. He pointed to his Dungeon family mentor, Big Boi, in particular. “I have Zero Interest in this lame ass debate,” he wrote. “BUT Big Boi Started the Throw Back Jersey Trend with that cold a*s Houston Astros Jersey.” He then noted that Ye, despite his Chitown roots, gave proper credit to the Outkast rapper. Ye’s impact on hip-hop fashion goes without saying, but Killer Mike said it regardless. “Kanye (Atlanta Born) set the record straight on that, God Bless Him,” he wrote. “Honorable Mention the ‘Flip Flop’s and Sox’ look was Some sh*t from the Dungeon Family.”
Killer Mike Claims ATL Has Influenced All Pop Culture
I have Zero Interest in this lame ass debate BUT, Big Boi Started the Throw Back Jersey Trend with that cold ass Houston Astro’s Jersey. Kanye (Atlanta Born) set the record straight on that, God Bless Him. Honorable Mention the “Flip Flop’s and Sox” look was Some shit from the… https://t.co/6VhlvS5zIOpic.twitter.com/sEaWnCoaa9
Mike included a photo of Big Boi rocking the aforementioned Astros jersey as proof. A Twitter user went the opposite direction and claimed that Phife Dog actually started the throwback jersey trend. Killer Mike respectfully disagreed. “[Phife] was a sports fan and inspired us all,” he wrote back. “With that said, the Throw back Era is Something Big Boi who is also like us a Tribe Fan Started in 98 with that Black Ice Vid Houston Jersey. Long Live Tribe and Kast.” The rapper continued to go back and forth with fans about the specificity of throwbacks, and the relevance of sports merchandise within the genre.
Killer Mike and Lil Yachty are about as far apart as artists can be. That said, the former has also repped Atlanta in his music and art. During a 2023 appearance on the Hip-Hop Made podcast, Mike claimed that the ATL has influenced every element of popular culture for decades. “When they say Atlanta influences everything it’s true,” he declared. “If you’re talking about Black culture in America, you talking about ATL, Georgia, and I’m not just talking about the last 25 years… I don’t think you can talk any Black culture — Rock n’ Roll, Blues, and Gospel — without talking about Atlanta.” Yachty may have ditched the internet due to the East Coast backlash, but he’d be pleased to know Killer Mike is in his corner.
Earlier this month, Killer Mike released “HUMBLE ME,” a new single that addresses his arrest at the Grammys on Feb. 4th. The incident and the growing acclaim for his album MICHAEL fueled a burst of creativity, bringing him back to the studio the following night. Upon the single’s release, Mike assured fans of a new project that would serve as an epilogue to the MICHAEL era and a gesture of gratitude for their unwavering support.
“I had a year to live with MICHAEL,” he states, “and I realized I had more I wanted to do with this sound before moving on.”
The result is Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival: Songs For Sinners & Saints, a ten-song collection set to release digitally on Friday, August 2nd. Mike describes the project as a “testimonial,” reflecting on his struggles and victories. “After the celebratory atmosphere that followed MICHAEL I was reminded that tribulations never cease, but God is always with me and this is a testimonial of my tumultuous times, my trials, and my continued triumph in spite of doubt, outright hate, and fear. I am here to speak to and with my fellow sinners and Saints.”
The album begins with a track that encapsulates his current state of mind, featuring the line, “Fame and money brought some factors I ain’t factor in.” It also includes a reimagined medley of two standout tracks from MICHAEL, inspired by their evolution during his tour with his gospel group, The Mighty Midnight Revival.
“Not only was I not done with the sound and feel of MICHAEL, I realized I might not be done with some of the songs from it as well. ‘SLUMMER’ & ‘SOMETHING FOR JUNKIES’ happened in the same Universe,” states Mike. “I always looked at both songs as one long play of sorts so this was a chance to try that out. These are songs that deserved another approach and now I’m torn on which version I like better.”
Following the release of “a href=”https://uproxx.com/music/killer-mike-humble-me-2024-grammys-arrest-video/” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>Humble Me” earlier this month, Killer Mike has said in a statement, “I had a year to live with Michael, and I realized I had more I wanted to do with this sound before moving on.”
Michael is his previous album, and the statement is regarding a new project: Today (July 29), Mike announced Songs For Sinners & Saints, a fresh album that we won’t have to wait long for, as it’s set to drop this week, on August 2. The project is credited to Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival.
Mike says in a statement, “For me, this is a testimonial. When I was growing up an important part of church service was people having the opportunity to stand up and give public testimony on their trials, tribulations, and triumphs. After the celebratory atmosphere that followed Michael, I was reminded that tribulations never cease, but God is always with me and this is a testimonial of my tumultuous times, my trials, and my continued triumph in spite of doubt, outright hate, and fear. I am here to speak to and with my fellow sinners and Saints.”
Check out the Songs For Sinners & Saints cover art and tracklist below.
Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival’s (Killer Mike) Songs For Sinners & Saints Album Cover Artwork
VLNS/Loma Vista
Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival’s (Killer Mike) Songs For Sinners & Saints Tracklist
1. “Bussin Bricks Intro”
2. “Nobody Knows” Feat. Anthony Hamilton, Jordan Alyssa, Troy Durden, and Adonica Nunn
3. “Humble Me”
4. “Higher Level” Feat. Jori and Adonica Nunn
5. “Exit 9 Scenic Route” Feat Offset, Blxst, Lena Byrd Miles, and Troy Durden
6. “Lord Prepare Me” Feat. Bellygang Kush, Jane Handcock, and Adonica Nunn
7. “Slummer 4 Junkies” Feat. Lena Byrd Miles, Alicia Peters-Jordan, Jori, Adonica Nunn, Jordan Alyssa, and Troy Durden
8. “Had To Go Get It” Feat. Troy Durden
9. “’97 3-6 Freestyle”
10. “Still Talk’n That Sh*t” Feat. Key Glock and Project Pat
Songs For Sinners & Saints is out 8/2 via VLNS/Loma Vista. Find more information here.
At the BET Awards last week, Killer Mike delivered a poignant speech as he accepted the award for Best Rap Album – another triumphant award show night for the Atlanta rapper in 2024. “Technically, I was not supposed to be here,” Killer Mike said about his infamous arrest outside the Grammy Awards earlier this year. That same night, he took home three Grammy Awards for Michael. “I was put in handcuffs, and I was marched out of this building. But I wanna tell you, look at God because I’m back, baby. I’m back.”
His faith in God is at the forefront of his efforts, naturally sprinkling references to his faith across his catalog, whether alongside El-P as Run The Jewels or in his solo catalog. His latest album Michael is an autobiographical body of work that explores his Atlanta roots, both through vigorous levels of rhyming over soulful backdrops and a deep dive into how God brought him through hardships to glory. These Grammy wins and accolades symbolize how he overcame trials and tribulations throughout his life and still surpassed the circumstances that could’ve led him astray. But this message becomes more urgent during his live shows. Accompanied by the Mighty Revival and DJ Trackstar, Killer Mike brought the good folks of Quebec City to a church sermon (albeit, with a bit more cussing and weed smoke).
As part of his summer 2024 tour dates, he made his way through several Canadian cities in support of his excellent 2023 album, Michael. His performance at Festival D’Été Quebec on Friday night (July 6th) felt like another victory lap in a storied career that has seen him reach incredible heights without compromising his artistic integrity. His stage show brought a distinctly Southern feel that embodied his resilience, tenacity, and faith in a Higher Power. The jewels he dropped weren’t those of solely a rapper but one who delivers his words with the conviction of a pastor.
He admittedly tried to stray from religious reference, though stories about Solomon prefaced the emotionally charged “MAMA” and his mini-speeches in between songs felt like notes of inspiration for those who’ve also felt like their back were against the wall. Still, this was a rap show after all, and songs like “RUN” and “DOWN BY LAW” got the energy right for the remainder of the evening. But, at the core of Killer Mike’s performance was bringing Atlanta to the Canadians. The album cuts got the audience excited, for sure, but hard-hitting bangers including Big Boi’s “Kill Jill” and Bone Crusher’s “Never Scared,” alongside cuts from Run The Jewels and R.A.P Music, kept the crowd’s vibrancy at an all-time high.
Following such a triumphant year so far – even with a few mishaps – Killer Mike’s performance felt like a victory lap for an artist who never played the industry game yet exceeded every expectation set against him. But with a breath of gratitude to his tone, his recent feats and festival performances are a testament to his grind and reaping the fruits of his labor.
The Final Lap Tour Makes Its Way To Quebec City
via Etienne Dionne/FEQ
The greatest measure of an artist’s hit-making prowess is how it translates to crowds outside of their prime demographic, specifically those that don’t even really speak the same language. At le Festival D’Été Quebec in Quebec City (a primarily non-English city), 50 Cent served up a platter of bangers for an hour-and-a-half that affirms his presence as one of hip-hop’s greatest showmen. Following 50 Cent’s epic Final Lap tour in 2023, which saw him celebrate the 20th anniversary of Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, he’s clearly in high demand for the summer festival circuit across the world. As we covered in 2023, the Final Lap tour was undoubtedly the tour of the summer, one that brought hip-hop fans, both old and new together, to witness one of rap’s greats perform his biggest hits; timeless classics that have become a staple in hip-hop and pop catalogs.
50 Cent initially stated the Final Lap tour would be his final haul on the road before focusing on his television and film productions. But, after surpassing over $100M in ticket sales last year (making it one of the highest-grossing hip-hop tours of all time), there are plenty of markets that ha highly sought after in plenty of markets that he didn’t hit last year. Joined by his hypemen, Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda, the G-Unit trifecta delivered a more toned-down version of what they brought across North America last year, likely due to the venue change. Festivals provide ample room for pyrotechnics but the setup didn’t necessarily welcome some of the more theatrical elements, such as the wild t-shirt change that went viral last year and even the complex transitions throughout the set (i.e. popping out from under the stage).
The People Love 50
via Etienne Dionne/FEQ
Nonetheless, his performance in Quebec City is a microcosm of 50 Cent’s global appeal. Though the audience might not be entirely tuned into Power (“Big Rich Town” certainly wasn’t even close to being the highlight of the evening), the epic run as a solo artist and with G-Unit throughout the 2000s formed the baseline of his set that transcended language barriers, further emphasizing the grip he’s had on the world since the release of Get Rich Or Die Tryin’.
“I’m On Some Sh*t” may have felt like a bit of a lackluster opener for this audience, especially since the majority seemed unfamiliar with his mixtape run. But, you could imagine that records like “What Up Gangsta,” “Just A Lil Bit,” and “If I Can’t” had the nearly 80,000+ in attendance singing along word-for-word. But once he started going into the real hit records, from his collaborations with The Game to songs like “Candy Shop,” “In Da Club,” and other definitive songs of the mid-2000s, it further affirmed Fif as one of the culture’s pivotal figure who contributed to hip-hop’s global appeal, from his days bullying his peers on his early mixtapes to outshining each of them once he formally entered the game.
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