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Grammy-Winning Hip-Hop Artist Coming To Athens
By: Emily Votaw
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Over the past decade, Michael Render, better known as Killer Mike, has made some incredible contributions to the modern rap and hip-hop scene by preaching political observations over sleek and well-constructed beats.
That ability to use rap to accurately portray the hardships of Americans in the now, while still making those tracks completely and utterly catchy, is proof that Killer Mike is an artist who isn’t going to fade away in the next five, 10 or even 20 years.
On Monday, Nov. 12, Killer Mike’s tour makes a stop at The Union, with Athens' own Dysfunktional Family opening the show.
Killer Mike's 2011 release R.A.P. Music has been well-received by fans and critics alike. The album received an 8.6 on Pitchfork’s notoriously finicky 10-point scale, as well as high marks from both Spin and Rolling Stone.
In an interview with NPR earlier this year, Mike spoke a bit about his views on rap music. He noted that rap should be examined the same way as jazz, blues and gospel.
"What is more gospel than rap music?" Mike asked during the interview. "It's the voices of young men and women exposing their souls over beats."
Mike’s amazing lyrics throughout the album–R.A.P. is actually an acronym for Rebellious African People–further demonstrates his commitment to a genre that is, arguably, the most interesting and vivacious one in the past 20 years.
Tracks like "Reagan" showcase Mike’s musical and lyrical capabilities, simultaneously handling politically explosive subject matter while being irresistibly listenable.
Doors for Monday’s show open at 9 p.m. Tickets are available at Haffa’s Records for $12, cash only.