Killer Mike

R.A.P. Music

Released: May 15, 2012
Label: Williams Street
Website: definitivejux.com
Review by: Glen Purvis

In a world where most rappers use a different producer for each track (looking at you Lil’ Wayne), Killer Mike has found the power of continuity. Produced entirely by Brooklyn producer and Bomb Squad valedictorian El-P, R.A.P. Music is Killer Mike’s best album to date and arguably the best rap album put out so far this year. El-P’s production hasn’t been so on point since he released The Cold Vein with Cannibal Ox. The beats are abrasive, raw and mix the southern vibe with El-P’s space-age atmosphere (imagine aliens drinking lean) and set the perfect scene for Mike’s revolutionary yell-rapping.

Based on this album you would think that Killer Mike and El-P are old friends, but this is their first collaboration ever. Killer Mike sounds off on a number of topics ranging from corrupt police to comparing Obama to Ronald Reagan. On “Willie Burk Sherwood”, Mike compares himself to Jack from Lord of the Flies in the jungle that is his neighborhood. He gets some help from southern colleagues T.I. and Bun B on opening track “Big Beast”, in which Mike introduces the album in his first line (“Hardcore G s**t, homie, I don’t play around). The closing track, “R.A.P. Music” is a tribute/celebration to hip-hop and all southern music. He compares rap music to church: “Rap music is my religion.”
Essential Tracks: “Reagan”, “Don’t Die”, “R.A.P. Music”