Killer Mike

Killer Mike Reveals He Chose Rap Over Being A Pilot

by

Killer Mike has been a prominent figure in the hip-hop industry for over two decades. However, he almost chose a very different path. Recently, Mike opened up about a significant turning point in his career. In an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, he revealed that he had once considered a different career. During his fourth-grade year, his teacher suggested that he should become a pilot instead of a rapper. She believed Mike was too intelligent for the music industry. Intrigued by the idea, Killer Mike enrolled in flight school. He did so alongside Slim from the R&B group 112. However, their venture into aviation did not materialize as expected, and Killer Mike eventually returned to his true passion for rap.

Despite facing obstacles and self-doubt along the way, Killer Mike persevered in his rap career. He recently reflected on the impact of his first record deal with Columbia Records. His debut album, Monster, sold over 500,000 copies in the United States. However, it received a lukewarm reception compared to the tremendous success of his contemporaries. 50 Cent, for example, sold almost 10 million copies of his debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin’. Killer Mike admitted that the experience left him feeling damaged and apprehensive. However, it also led him to realize that he felt more comfortable and authentic operating within independent circles.

Killer Mike Releases “MICHAEL”

Killer Mike Reveals He Chose Rap Over Being A Pilot
Killer Mike of Run The Jewels performs on the Main Stage East on Day 1 of Leeds Festival on August 26, 2022 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Matthew Baker/Getty Images)

Killer Mike’s resilience and determination to pursue his passion for rap despite setbacks are evident in his new album, MICHAEL. The project was released today. It features the highly acclaimed single “Scientists & Engineers.” That single includes a captivating verse from the André 3000, alongside contributions from Future and Eryn Allen Kane. Through his music, Killer Mike continues to showcase his artistic growth and unwavering commitment to his craft. It also shows that an artist can be on top of their game even as many years into their career as Mike is.

Killer Mike’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists. Despite the initial detour into flight school and the challenges he faced early in his career, he stayed true to himself. By sharing his experiences, he encourages others not to let setbacks define them and to remain dedicated. Mike’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of staying true to one’s passions in the face of adversity. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!

[Via]

The post Killer Mike Reveals He Chose Rap Over Being A Pilot appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Killer Mike Drops First Solo Album In A Decade, “MICHAEL”

by

Killer Mike is a respected member of the music duo Run The Jewels. However, he has recently been focused on his solo career. His highly anticipated solo album, titled MICHAEL, has finally been released. At the start of the project, Killer Mike’s collaborator Cuz Lightyear took on the official role of A&R. For his role, he received a salary, which is a common practice in the music industry. However, what sets this situation apart is that Mike personally funded Cuz Lightyear’s salary out of his own pocket.

As the project progressed, Killer Mike brought No ID on board to elevate the project from a mixtape to a full-fledged album. By this point, Mike had already invested more than $250,000 of his own money. As the album continued to develop, the total cost escalated to over $500,000. Typically, such a substantial financial commitment would pose challenges with a record label. However, at that time, Killer Mike was not signed to any label. Eventually, Mike secured a deal with Loma Vista Records. Fortunately, the advance payment from this deal reimbursed Mike for the money he had personally invested in making the album, alleviating the financial burden he had carried.

Killer Mike Stays “High And Holy”

On the latest single from MICHAEL, Killer Mike enlisted the talents of Atlanta legends. “Scientists & Engineers” features contributions from Andre 3000, Future, and Eryn Allen Kane. This track served as the fifth single off of Mike’s new album. Like the previous singles, it continued the theme of gospel-inspired hip-hop. That sound is prevalent throughout the entire album. However, that’s exactly what makes it feel so powerful. There is so much soul and heart in every track.

It is next to impossible to pick standout tracks from the album. It is no exaggeration to say there are no skippable tracks. However, some of the tracks, like “High & Holy,” have some standout lyrics. “Men have died for dollars / Men have killed for pennies,” Mike raps on the track. “But too few have made a difference so they life is finished.” What do you think of MICHAEL? Sound off in the comments and let us know!

Tracklist:

  1. DOWN BY LAW (Feat. CeeLo Green)
  2. SHED TEARS (Feat. Mozzy)
  3. RUN (Feat. Young Thug)
  4. NRICH (Feat. 6LACK, Eryn Allen Kane)
  5. TALK’N THAT SHIT!
  6. SLUMMER (Feat. Jagged Edge)
  7. SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS (Feat. Andre 3000, Future, Eryn Allen Kane)
  8. TWO DAYS (Feat. Ty Dolla $ign)
  9. SPACESHIP VIEWS (Feat. Curren$y, 2 Chainz, Kaash Paige)
  10. EXIT 9 (Feat. Blxst)
  11. SOMETHING FOR JUNKIES (Feat. Fabo)
  12. MOTHERLESS (Feat. Eryn Allen Kane)
  13. DON’T LET THE DEVIL (Feat. El-P, thankugoodsir)
  14. HIGH & HOLY (Feat. Ty Dolla $ign)

The post Killer Mike Drops First Solo Album In A Decade, “MICHAEL” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Killer Mike Leads A Dungeon Family Reunion With ‘Scientists & Engineers’ Featuring André 3000 And Future

by

Killer Mike leads a Dungeon Family reunion on his new single “Scientists & Engineers” which reunites Mike with OutKast’s Andre 3000 and DF affiliate Future. Over a gospel and funk-inflected instrumental straight from the late-90s Atlanta breakout, Mike, André, and Future deliver some of their hardest verses in a long time, while Eryn Allen Kane sings the soul-stirring chorus. “Scientists & Engineers” is due to appear on Mike’s upcoming album Michael, his first solo project in over a decade.

The song almost didn’t make the album, though. As Mike recounted during the annual Black Music Moguls Brunch in Atlanta, André initially wanted to nix the collaboration, right up until Mike sent him the completed version with Kane’s chorus. That was when he fully bought in, saving the track from the proverbial cutting room floor.

Mike also revealed in another interview that he’d spent $500,000 recording Michael, only managing to recoup the costs with an advance from Loma Vista Records. The reason the album is so important to him is that it’s his first time telling his full story, as he told Vulture’s Craig Jenkins. “There was never a moment where people got a chance to see the whole of Michael. They saw bits and pieces in the music… I wanted people to know that the character in Run the Jewels is a whole human being and a man who feels like there’s something that needs to be said.”

Listen to “Scientists & Engineers” above. Michael is due June 16 via VLNS/Loma Vista.

Beyoncé, Lil Durk, Moneybagg Yo & Other Hip-Hop Artists Who Will Be Hitting The Road For Summer 2023

by

Lil Durk

As summer approaches, many hip-hop lovers are excited to see their favorite artists perform live once again. This year, some of the biggest names in music will be hitting the road for summer 2023. From Queen Bey to Drake, here are five artists you won’t want to miss. Moneybagg Yo Announces “Larger Than Life” Tour, […]

The post Beyoncé, Lil Durk, Moneybagg Yo & Other Hip-Hop Artists Who Will Be Hitting The Road For Summer 2023 appeared first on SOHH.com.

Killer Mike Was Intimidated By 50 Cent’s Album Sales Early In His Career, But It Gave Him Valuable Perspective

by
Killer Mike HOPE Global Forums Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets Summit 2022
Getty Image

Killer Mike knows what it takes to succeed now. Mike and El-P are 10 years deep in Run The Jewels, hitting the road later this year to celebrate their success as a duo, and Mike is preparing to release his first solo album since 2012, Michael.

As the latest cover star of Spin, the Atlanta-bred artist and activist reflected on being signed to Columbia Records early in his career.

“My first record deal damaged me,” Killer Mike told the publication. “It made me afraid, it pulled me back. I hadn’t done terribly on the major. I just, you know, I came out the same year as 50 [Cent] selling 10 million f*cking records. I sold, you know, 500,000.”

Writer Khari Nixon contextualized that as “lukewarm at best” in 2003 because Killer Mike had just won a Grammy as a contributor to Outkast’s Stankonia album, even though 500,000 album units represents the higher end of the spectrum in today’s music landscape.

Killer Mike’s experience on Columbia crystalized for him that he belonged “in independent circles,” and his actions backed up his verbal commitment to life as an independent artist, as revealed elsewhere in the cover story:

“It wasn’t before long that [Cuz] Lightyear had an official job title on the project: A&R. With that job came a salary. Killer Mike paid it out of pocket. By the time they’d brought the project to No ID to transform it from mixtape to album, Mike was over a quarter-million dollars in the hole. As things developed, that number ballooned to over a half-million. This type of bill would normally place an artist in hot water with their label. At the time, Killer Mike was a free agent. He would eventually strike a deal with Loma Vista Records, which has distributed records by Denzel Curry and Action Bronson, to distribute Michael upon release. The advance from that deal would reimburse Mike for the money he’d invested into making the album.”

Michael was officially announced in late April. Killer Mike has released singles “Don’t Let The Devil” alongside El-P and “Motherless” featuring Eryn Allen Kane. He’s also teased “Scientists & Engineers” featuring André 3000 and Kane, which almost didn’t make the tracklist.

Mike will support the album this summer with a solo headlining North American trek, The High & Holy Tour. See all the dates here.

Michael is out 6/16 via Loma Vista Recordings. Find more information here.

Killer Mike Spent Half A Million Dollars To Make ‘Michael,’ His First Solo Album Since 2012

by
Killer Mike June 2023
Getty Image

Killer Mike is a beloved member of Run The Jewels, but nobody can question his investment in his solo career. Michael, his first solo album since 2012’s R.A.P. Music, is due next week. Ahead of its release, the Atlanta artist, actor, and activist is the latest cover star for Spin. The accompanying story by Khari Nixon revealed what it cost for Killer Mike to actualize Michael:

“It wasn’t before long that [Cuz] Lightyear had an official job title on the project: A&R. With that job came a salary. Killer Mike paid it out of pocket. By the time they’d brought the project to No ID to transform it from mixtape to album, Mike was over a quarter-million dollars in the hole. As things developed, that number ballooned to over a half-million. This type of bill would normally place an artist in hot water with their label. At the time, Killer Mike was a free agent. He would eventually strike a deal with Loma Vista Records, which has distributed records by Denzel Curry and Action Bronson, to distribute Michael upon release. The advance from that deal would reimburse Mike for the money he’d invested into making the album.”

Killer Mike also recalled that his wife, Shana Render, wasn’t pleased with his financial decisions. “She’s like, ‘Well n****, I’m glad you being reimbursed ’cause I got some issues that you spending half-a-million f*cking dollars on a dream project,” he said.

Killer Mike recently released “Don’t Let The Devil” featuring El-P and “Motherless” featuring Eryn Allen Kane. At last weekend’s 4th Annual Black Music Moguls Brunch in Atlanta, he explained that “Scientists & Engineers” featuring André 3000, Kane, and Future nearly didn’t make the tracklist.

“[André 3000] called, and he was like, ‘Kill, I don’t know about the song, man. We just got a good rap record, man,’” Mike told the crowd. “And then, Cuz is like, ‘You sent ’em the final record?’ I was like, ‘Nah.’ I sent it over with Eryn’s hook and stuff. He hit back with, ‘Yeah, yeah, you got the record. Who is that?!’ So, thank you, Eryn. I really appreciate you for that.”

Beginning in July, Killer Mike will embark on his supporting solo headlining The High & Holy Tour. See all of his upcoming dates here.

Michael is out 6/16 via Loma Vista Recordings. Find more information here.

André 3000 Almost Told Killer Mike To Cancel Their Upcoming Collaboration But One Of The Features Changed His Mind

by
andre 3000
Getty Image

Killer Mike‘s new album Michael is due next week and one song fans are most excited about is his collaboration with former Outkast member and full-time recluse, Andre 3000. The song is called “Scientists & Engineers” and also features Future — a one-time Dungeon Family disciple, according to Atlanta rap lore — and singer Eryn Allen Kane. However, fans almost didn’t get to hear the track after Andre told Mike he wasn’t feeling it. Fortunately, Kane’s presence on the track convinced him to change his mind when he heard the final version.

Mike recounted the story during this year’s 4th Annual Black Music Moguls Brunch in Atlanta, sharing a video of the anecdote on Instagram. In it, he recalls, “André 3000, he’s in Japan right now as we talk, playing the flute. He called me, he’s like, ‘Kill, I don’t know about the song, man. We just got a good rap record, man.’ And then Cuz [Lightyear] was like, ‘You sent him the final record?’ I’m like, ‘Nah.’ I sent it over with Eryn’s hook and stuff. He hit back with, ‘Yeah, yeah, you got the record. Who is that?!’ So thank you, Eryn, I really appreciate you for that.”

In addition to the aforementioned features, the No ID-produced Michael will also include appearances from Dave Chappelle and Young Thug (on the previously-released “Run“), Mike’s longtime partner-in-rhyme El-P (“Don’t Let The Devil“), Lil Wayne, and more, along with the previous singles “Don’t Let The Devil” and “Motherless.” It’s due June 16 via VLNS/Loma Vista.

Killer Mike’s Business Ventures Outside Of Music

by

Killer Mike is best known for his music. For the past ten years, he has seen significant success alongside El-P as Run The Jewels. This year, Killer Mike is releasing his new album, Michael, his first solo project in over a decade. We recently looked back at his last solo album, R.A.P. Music, for its 11th anniversary. Though his success can be attributed to his skills as a rapper, Killer Mike has expanded his repertoire. He has ventured outside of music into other businesses.

The Atlanta rapper often emphasizes the importance of Black ownership in his various business ventures. He has appeared as himself in a number of movies and TV shows such as ATL, Baby Driver, and Ozark. Killer Mike also has his own docuseries on Netflix called Trigger Warning with Killer Mike. On the show, he investigates social issues within Black communities. 

Killer Mike & Politics

Aside from music and other forms of entertainment, Killer Mike is also very politically active and outspoken, fighting for causes he believes in. He has spoken out against issues of racism and police brutality. Additionally, he has given lectures at various universities, bringing a course on race and hip hop to Morehouse College. Killer Mike also campaigned for Bernie Sanders during the 2016 Presidential election, endorsing various other political figures in their elections. Most recently, Killer Mike endorsed Raphael Warnock for Senator in the 2022 election in Georgia. 

Killer Mike’s politics and beliefs appear in his lyrics on his solo albums and, most notably, in the Run The Jewels albums. The RTJ4 album in 2020 was a direct response to protests following the death of George Floyd. He was also vocal about the proposed bill to use rap lyrics as evidence in court, teaming up with JAY-Z and many other rappers to block the bill from being passed. Killer Mike’s success as a rapper has allowed him to explore other businesses and help give back to the community that raised him.

Killer Mike’s Businesses

Outside of his rap career, Killer Mike has given back to his hometown of Atlanta, starting various businesses and emphasizing the importance of Black ownership and economic empowerment. He also stresses the importance of Black and generational wealth in addition to his activism and social justice work. Here are Killer Mike’s business ventures outside of music.

SWAG Barber Shop

In 2011, Killer Mike and his wife Shana opened a barbershop called the “SWAG” shop, an acronym for “Shave, Wash, and Groom.” In a short documentary, Killer Mike told Noisey that aside from being a rapper, his dream was owning a barbershop. The SWAG Shop has done so well that Killer Mike and his wife expanded their barbershop business into multiple locations in Atlanta. They have shops in Edgewood, Southside, and a barber shop inside the State Farm Arena where the Atlanta Hawks play. At one point, the SWAG Shop was planned to expand into cities outside of Georgia, including Tampa and New Orleans. Aside from cutting hair, Killer Mike’s barber shops have become places for social gatherings for Atlanta residents.

Greenwood Bank

In 2020, Killer Mike’s next business venture was Greenwood Bank, an online bank. The bank’s goals are geared towards “Black and Latinx communities and anyone else who wants to support Black-owned businesses.” The digital banking system helps people who have been denied the opportunity to build credit to do so, and it has its own set of benefits. Preceding Greenwood Bank, Killer Mike partnered with Black-owned bank Citizen’s Trust in 2016 and encouraged people to join.

Alongside Ryan Glover and Andrew Young, Killer Mike launched Greenwood Bank and received a high demand from people on the waiting list who wanted to use its services. Following the George Floyd protests, Greenwood Bank grew in popularity. The bank is named after the Greenwood Neighborhood in Tulsa, known as “Black Wall Street” before it was destroyed in 1921. Greenwood Bank has seen much success since its initial launch.

Bankhead Seafood

Bankhead Seafood was once a staple restaurant in Atlanta and operated for 50 years before closing its doors in 2018. Alongside fellow Atlanta rapper T.I., Killer Mike’s latest business venture plans to bring back Bankhead Seafood. This time, the restaurant will run on a larger scale. They plan to stick to the restaurant’s original foundations of being a staple for Atlanta residents. Parking will be expanded, as will the size of the actual restaurant. The place will grow in seating capacity and will be a two-story establishment. The food and location will remain the same, but prices will increase. Still, the neighborhood seems to favor the restaurant’s reopening. Bankhead Seafood has yet to reopen as its building has been delayed numerous times but is currently set to open later this year.

[via] [via] [via]