Killer Mike

Killer Mike Triumphs at BET Awards, Releases New Single “HUMBLE ME” Reflecting on Grammy Arrest

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Killer Mike Triumphs at BET Awards, Releases New Single "HUMBLE ME" Reflecting on Grammy Arrest

Killer Mike’s career has continued to ascend over the past decade, but one specific day has dominated conversations recently. On Feb. 4th, Mike won all three Grammy awards he was nominated for, including Rap Album of the Year for his solo album MICHAEL. However, his celebration was abruptly cut short when he was arrested at the awards show, sparking widespread speculation about the incident and its impact on him.

Today, with the release of his new single “HUMBLE ME,” Mike is ready to share his perspective on that fateful day. The song is accompanied by an artful and understated video that visually represents Mike’s journey. In the video, he is stripped of his outward symbols of success piece by piece before being placed in handcuffs. The closing shot shows Mike and Pony Boy embracing, symbolizing their reunion after facing numerous tribulations. Mike describes the video’s love-filled, triumphant ending as “a visual testament to that night and God’s glory in writing mine and Pony’s story.”

The video premiered across multiple platforms, including BET Jams, BET Soul, MTV Live, MTVU, Yo! MTV, and on the Paramount Times Square billboards.

The single’s release coincides with Mike’s return to the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, the site of his arrest, for last night’s BET Awards, where MICHAEL was crowned Album of the Year. The celebration was heightened by recent news that prosecutors from the LA City Attorney’s office will not file charges against Mike for the February incident.

As “HUMBLE ME” reveals, the challenges of the past months have fueled Mike’s creativity. Fans can look forward to a new body of work this summer that will provide an epilogue to the MICHAEL era and resolve the speculation surrounding the events of Feb. 4th.

The post Killer Mike Triumphs at BET Awards, Releases New Single “HUMBLE ME” Reflecting on Grammy Arrest first appeared on The Source.

The post Killer Mike Triumphs at BET Awards, Releases New Single “HUMBLE ME” Reflecting on Grammy Arrest appeared first on The Source.

Killer Mike Will Reportedly Not Face Charges From His Peculiar 2024 Grammys Arrest, But There May Be A Catch

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killer mike Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash 2024
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In February, Killer Mike scored three wins at the 2024 Grammys, but his celebration was interrupted. The Hollywood Reporter‘s Chris Gardner posted footage of Killer Mike being taken away in handcuffs, causing confusion and speculation as to why the Atlanta icon had been put in handcuffs. TMZ eventually reported Killer Mike was “booked for battery on a citizen’s arrest […] after he allegedly got physical with a security guard at the venue.” Shortly thereafter, Killer Mike’s lawyer confirmed to Variety that he had been released and “will be celebrating his sweep tonight.”

Now, Killer Mike can firmly put it all behind him.

On Wednesday, June 26, TMZ exclusively reported that Killer Mike won’t face any charges from the peculiar incident.

“Prosecutors in the L.A. City Attorney’s Office tell us they will not be filing charges against Mike for his confrontation with an event security guard, back in February, which led to his citizen’s arrest,” TMZ relayed. “We’re told he successfully completed his city attorney hearing … after which he agreed to do some community service with a non-profit organization of his choice. That said, the City Attorney’s Office added the Grammy winner needs to stay out of trouble for the next year, or they could reopen the case.”

One week after the 2024 Grammys, Killer Mike appeared on The View and downplayed his arrest, as seen in the clip below.

Today In Hip Hop History: Killer Mike Dropped His FIfth LP ‘R.A.P. Music’ 12 Years Ago

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On this date in 2012, Grammy Award winning rapper Big Mike dropped his fifth full length studio album titled R.A.P. Music, which stands for “Rebellious African People’s Music” on the Williams Street Records imprint and produced exclusively by DJ EL-P. With this being the first project of El-P and Mike together, this album spawned the formation of the duo Run The Jewels.

The 12-track project was very politically driven, with political and socio-economic subject matter that made Mike be recognized as a conscious emcee, which casually opened up the doors for his political involvement in his home state of Georgia. Songs like “Reagan” was jab at the former POTUS, who was highly suspected to be involved in the Iran-Contra scandal, which brought large amounts of cocaine into the United States and introduced “crack” to the inner cities. Back during the promotion of R.A.P. Music in 2012 on NPR, Mike stated about Ronald Reagan, “Ronald Reagan was an actor. He was a pitchman at first, and so people naturally trust him. He understood how to weave magic when he was speaking, and that’s what we as entertainers do. So when Jay-Z tells you to buy some Reeboks, it means more. Ronald Reagan at one point was the biggest pitchman in the world. I think that Reagan was used by a political party, by people who had vested means, to push their own agendas.”

The album was critically acclaimed, receiving multiple accolades from music and cultural media publications such as Complex, Rolling Stone and Time Magazine.

Guest appearances on the album include UGK’s Bun B, fellow ATLien T.I., Emily Panic and the album’s producer El-P, who appeared on “Butane Champion’s Anthem”.

Salute to Mr. Render, El-P and all of the contributors to this important piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Killer Mike Dropped His FIfth LP ‘R.A.P. Music’ 12 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Killer Mike Dropped His FIfth LP ‘R.A.P. Music’ 12 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Killer Mike And Offset Pay Homage To Late Dungeon Family Producer Rico Wade With Their ‘Exit 9’ Remix

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Killer Mike pays homage to his late friend and fellow Dungeon Family member Rico Wade with a remix of his Michael standout “Exit 9,” now featuring Offset in addition to Blxst.

While much of the song remains unchanged, Mike reworks a line in his first verse to salute the fallen producer, rapping, “It hurts like hell to say but rest in peace to Rico Wade / He soundtracked the day when me and Slee were serving J.”

Offset also taps into his own recent loss, channeling grief for late Migos bandmate Takeoff along with other family members gone too soon: “Oh, my brother, look in the air, I see an angel done fly,” he intones. “15 years, brother gone, every day momma cry / Grandma died, I wish I could go back and get time.”

Wade was reported dead at the age of 52 earlier this month, with the New York Times printing a statement from the producer’s family. “We are deeply saddened by the sudden and unexpected passing of our son, father, husband, and brother Rico Wade. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a talented individual who touched the lives of so many.”

He touched those lives in large part due to his role as the focal point of the Dungeon Family, the Atlanta-based collective that included such pioneering acts as Mike, Future, Goodie Mob, and Outkast. The group’s name was taken from its recording headquarters in Wade’s mother’s basement, where the crew coalesced around a love of hip-hop and soulful, out-of-this-world beats created by Wade’s production trio, Organized Noize.

Killer Mike x Offset x Blxst Team Up On Atlanta Anthem “Exit 9″

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Just a couple weeks after dropping the video for his unabashed Atlanta anthem “EXIT 9 (feat. Blxst)”, Killer Mike has shared a new version of the track with yet another esteemed ATLien, Offset. The track was premiered by Killer Mike on HOT 107.9 in Atlanta on Thursday, ahead of today’s streaming release. “Exit 9 in Atlanta is the Adamsville Martin Luther King Jr Blvd so when we started talking about doing a remix I knew I wanted to keep it on some Atlanta shit,” states Mike. “Offset and I have been running into each over the years showing one another love and respect & talking about working on something. Finally the time was right and the Nawf’West Remix was Born!” The song’s unabashed tribute to the city was brought into crystalline focus in the music video, which depicts Blxst and Mike breaking bread with the mayor and making the rounds to notable ATL landmarks from the Cascade roller rink to the Blue Flame. 

The post Killer Mike x Offset x Blxst Team Up On Atlanta Anthem “Exit 9″ first appeared on The Source.

The post Killer Mike x Offset x Blxst Team Up On Atlanta Anthem “Exit 9″ appeared first on The Source.

Killer Mike & Blxst Recruit Offset For Extended Version Of “MICHAEL” Cut “EXIT 9”

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Killer Mike really put on for the city of Atlanta and the rap genre at the 2024 GRAMMYs. Somewhat controversially, his sophomore solo LP MICHAEL took home three categories at the iconic award show earlier this year. It won over massive mainstream records UTOPIA, HEROES & VILLAINS, Her Loss, and King’s Disease III. One of the consistent arguments against him winning came from fans who are not hip to the rap legend saying things like, “Who is Killer Mike?” But he definitely deserved all the success and now, Killer Mike is taking another victory lap by adding Offset to “EXIT 9.”

Track 10 on the original version of the album, “EXIT 9” only featured California singer Blxst. Additionally, the song was just over two minutes and 40 seconds. But with Offset entering the mix, the record now clocks in at 3:30. As most know, adding another artist to an already great track can achieve mixed results.

Read More: Jeezy Denies Jeannie Mai’s Allegations That He Physically Assaulted Her

Listen To “EXIT 9” By Killer Mike, Offset, & Blxst

But to the former Migos member’s credit, he seamlessly slides into what Mike and Blxst were doing on the reflective song about making it from the bottom. Offset rocks a monotone and lowkey flow as he talks about Takeoff, his late grandmother, and working hard for his respect in the game. All in all, this one of the stronger bonus cuts from MICHAEL. Be sure to check out the new version of “EXIT 9” with the link above.

What are your thoughts on this brand-new single “EXIT 9” by Killer Mike, Offset, and Blxst? Which version of this track do you prefer more now and why? Is this the best song from MICHAEL, why or why not? Is this one of Offset’s stronger performances of 2024? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Killer Mike, Offset, and Blxst. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the music world.

Quotable Lyrics:

Oh, my brother, look at the air, I see an angel that flyin’ (Angel)
Fifteen years, brother gone, every day momma cry (Momma)
I was strugglin’, start hustlin’, start cuttin’ up pies (Hustle)
Streets start huggin’ me, not lovin’ me, but it wasn’t on my mind (No-no-no, but it wasn’t on my mind)
Doin’ crime, chasin’ a dime, so I don’t be behind (Hey!)
I had did this for my gang, I don’t see nothin’, go blind (Gang)

Read More: Alexis Skyy Apologizes To Mendeecees Harris & Yandy Smith For Friend’s Cheating Allegations

The post Killer Mike & Blxst Recruit Offset For Extended Version Of “MICHAEL” Cut “EXIT 9” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Happy 49th Birthday To Killer Mike!

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Killer Mike Endorses Colin Kaepernick for Time Magazine's Person Of The Year

On this day in Hip Hop history, Dungeon Family member Killer Mike was born in Atlanta, Georgia. From Grammy’s to politics, Killer Mike may be one of the most slept on figures of this culture we call Hip Hop.

Killer Mike’s Hip Hop career began with a feature on OutKast‘s 2000 album Stankonia, on the track “Snappin & Trappin.” His follow-up feature with OutKast on “The Whole World” won him a Grammy at the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. That same year Killer Mike released his debut studio album, Monster, which peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200 chart and #4 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.

Over the next few years, Killer Mike released I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind 1 & 2 before announcing in 2008 that he was signing to T.I.‘s record label Grand Hustle Records. Not much was heard from Killer Mike musically until he teamed up with El-P in 2011 to become Run the Jewels.

Cartoon Network executive Jason DeMarco introduced killer Mike and El-P. Later that year, El-P produced Killer Mike’s album R.A.P. Music. In the same year, Killer Mike was featured on El-P’s album Cancer 4 Cure. Due to the fact the albums were released within weeks of each other, the two decided to go on tour together. The tour’s success led the two to team up under the moniker Run the Jewels. The duo has since released two self-titled albums and plans to release a third this year. Run the Jewels 2 peaked at #50 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Aside from music, Killer Mike is one politically active and conscious brother. Over his career, he has been passionate about police brutality against people of color and systematic racism and has fought for social equality. He has been heavily campaigning for Bernie Sanders, introducing him at speaking engagements, sitting with him at interviews, and even going to his fundraisers as an honored guest. It is evident in his music and when he speaks in interviews that Killer Mike is passionate about humanity and wants to get us all on track and acting like civil, equal human beings.

Killer Mike has also appeared on T.V. and movies and is currently active as a rapper. His next solo project, Elegant Elephant, has been in the works since 2013, but there’s no word on when it will be released. Killer Mike is an icon, and his image in Hip Hop is one of the more positive ones the genre has to offer. Take some time today to enjoy some of the fruits of his labor if you don’t already listen daily. From everyone here at The Source, happy born day, Killer Mike. May you see many more years of success.

The post Happy 49th Birthday To Killer Mike! first appeared on The Source.

The post Happy 49th Birthday To Killer Mike! appeared first on The Source.

Rico Wade, Legendary Organized Noize And Dungeon Family Producer, Has Died At 52

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Atlanta, Georgia, has been the dominating hub of rap music for well over a decade now, but the region’s run began long before that. Rico Wade laid the groundwork for the South as part of the pioneering production team Organized Noize and Dungeon Family collective.

Sadly, the mastermind behind the sounds of OutKast, Goodie Mob, and Killer Mike, to name a few, has died at the age of 52. Today (April 13), a representative of the late musician reached out to AllHipHop to confirm the tragic news.

Several media titans and entertainers have taken to their official social media pages to share a touching message in Wade’s honor. One of the most moving came from Killer Mike.

“I don’t have the words to express my deep and profound sense of loss,” he wrote on Instagram. I am praying for your wife, children, the Wade family, and us all. I deeply appreciate your acceptance into the Dungeon family, mentorship, friendship, and brotherhood. I don’t know where I would be without y’all.”

Others who have shared their condolences online include Phonte, Juicy J, Ebro Darden, Arrested Development’s Speech, and Alchemist. View their statements below.

Details surrounding Rico Wade’s death have not yet been revealed.

Killer Mike Tour 2024: Dates, Tickets & More

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Fresh off his triumphant GRAMMY sweep for his critically acclaimed album MICHAEL, Killer Mike is gearing up to set stages ablaze with his electrifying North American tour, Down By Law – Summer 2024. Backed by his soul-stirring choir, The Midnight Revival, the tour promises to be an unforgettable experience for fans across the continent. Let’s delve into the tour dates, ticket information, and what to expect from this highly anticipated musical journey.

Read More: Killer Mike’s Deluxe Version Of “MICHAEL” Adds JID, T.I., Jacquees, And Young Nudy

The Buzz Around Killer Mike

Following the announcement of his North American tour, Killer Mike dropped a celebratory new video for the album’s anthemic track, “EXIT 9” (feat. Blxst). The video, depicting scenes of camaraderie and triumph in Atlanta, captures the essence of Killer Mike’s cultural significance. With nods to ATL landmarks and an emotionally charged GRAMMY speech, the video sets the stage for the upcoming tour.

North American Tour Highlights

Killer Mike’s North American tour is packed with highlights that promise unforgettable experiences for fans across the continent. From kicking off the tour with a bang at Memphis’s Riverbeats Fest to gracing the prestigious Kennedy Center stage in Washington, DC, Killer Mike brings his dynamic performance and infectious energy to major cities throughout the tour. Notable stops include a series of shows at New York City’s iconic Blue Note, an electrifying appearance at Chicago’s legendary Lollapalooza festival, and a captivating finale at Los Angeles’s The Novo. Killer Mike showcases his unparalleled musical prowess through each performance. His upcoming tour is no exception.

Read More: Killer Mike Recalls JAY-Z’s Reaction To “Michael”

Tickets & More Information

Tickets for Killer Mike’s Down By Law – Summer 2024 Tour are in high demand, and fans are advised to secure their spots early. With his recent GRAMMY wins and a reputation for delivering electrifying live performances, tickets are expected to sell out fast. Tickets are currently on sale. For more information on tour dates, ticket availability, and exclusive updates, visit Killer Mike’s official website and follow him on social media.

Down By Law – Summer 2024 Tour Dates

Memphis, TN – May 4 – Riverbeats Fest
Washington, DC – May 21 – Kennedy Center
Atlanta, GA – June 22 – Hot 107.9 Bday Bash
Vancouver, BC – June 29 – Vancouver Jazz Fest
Montreal, QC – July 3 – Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
Quebec City, QC – July 5 – Festival D’Ete
Ottawa, ON – July 6 – Ottawa Blues Fest
Toronto, ON – July 7 – Danforth Music Hall
Winnipeg, MB – July 12 – Winnipeg Folk Fest
Nelsonville, OH – July 26-28 – Nelsonville Music Fest
Newport, RI – July 27 – Newport Folk Fest
New York, NY – July 29, July 30, July 31 – Blue Note
Detroit, MI – August 2 – The Majestic Theatre
Chicago, IL – August 3 – Lollapalooza
Minneapolis, MN – August 5 – First Avenue
Denver, CO – August 7 – Ogden Theater
Salt Lake City, UT – August 8 – Ogden Amphitheatre
Seattle, WA – August 10 – Thing Festival
St. Louis, MO – September 29 – Evolution Fest
Los Angeles, CA – October 15 – The Novo

The post Killer Mike Tour 2024: Dates, Tickets & More appeared first on HotNewHipHop.