Killer Mike has responded to the death of Rayshard Brooks on Instagram, saying he will continue to support grassroots organizations who are working to end police killings. 

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“#RayshardBrooks should be alive this morning,” Killer Mike begins his Instagram post. “He should be waking up (hungover or drunk in the tank depending on whether he was apprehended) and not dead. If I’m the Wendy’s worker who called the police, I feel like shit this morning because a call for a man sleeping in a car should not have ended with his killing. If I’m the people with the child in the car, I feel helpless and hurt. If I’m that child, I’m scared shitless of anyone with a uniform and a gun. If I’m the angry white or black guy who was filming and saying, ‘I watched y’all for twenty minutes,’ I’m wondering what else I could have done? I am mad as hell and I am saddened beyond consolation. At a minimum, we need a law that prevents shooting a person while they’re fleeing. If there is no weapon, fleeing from an officer should be a foot chase and radio race. If a person gets away, they get away. As I have said before, I will continue to look to and support grassroots organizations who are doing the work, day in and day out. If there are groups who you know are organizing to end police killings, @ them so we can follow and support.”

Brooks died Friday night after a confrontation with police in a Wendy’s parking lot. The Atlanta police chief has since stepped down.

“Let us Continue to #PlotPlanStrategizeOrganizeMobilize! If you are in ATL and want to know who is doing the work already brother Kalonji Changa (@whohetalkingto) is. His org is Commumitymovementbuilders.org. A true organizer he ain’t polite! He is effective! His org does the work. Please @ others that do as well!,” Killer Mike continued.

[Via]

Becoming an authoritative voice isn’t easy. With each individual Twitter account serving as an instrument in the infinite orchestra, sometimes the dissonance can outweigh the discourse. Yet hip-hop is full of leaders, of writers whose livelihood rests on being compelling orators. Especially for those who dare to explore complex themes of societal equality, political status, and interpersonal connection. Doing so without credibility is a fool’s errand, and in a genre where artists continuously develop trust with their fanbase, a misstep can feel like a betrayal.

When OutKast first delivered “The Whole World” on November 27th, 2001, the Atlanta duo had long established themselves as reliable narrators. Those who observed the world as it was, who spoke frankly about issues without sugarcoating nor preaching. On the mic, Big Boi and Andre 3000 exuded wisdom as palpable as any OG figure, letting their vivid imaginations carry listeners through issues that might otherwise prove alienating.

As we’re currently in the midst of witnessing, division runs rampant throughout western society. Tenuous relationships exist between entertainers and consumers, and in a predominantly black space like hip-hop, some conflicted listeners likely struggle to look beyond their prejudices. It’s all to often heard that a rapper is “glorifying violence,” though many of those same rappers are haunted by untreated post-traumatic stress disorder. And yet these critical listeners still return to the music, providing monetary support while holding disdain for the societal issues plaguing the black community. It’s a problem that has been prevalent since the rise of rock and roll. Artists like Chuck Berry and Little Richard helped develop the culture and inspire iconic bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, all while forced to contend with the fallout of a segregated era. The tenuous balance of valuing entertainment while disregarding entirely the entertainer’s well being.

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It’s no wonder that OutKast opted to portray “The Whole World” as a circus, a concept reflected in the visuals and musicality alike. The imagery is evocative, leaving little to interpretation yet still effective. Andre, donned in the garb of a tragic clown, serves as the main attraction, set upon by the gaze of an entirely white audience. As the song opens, Three Stacks reflects on the painful relationship between fan and rap artist with frank simplicity. “Cause the whole world loves it when you don’t get down, and the whole world loves it when you make that sound,” he sings. “And the whole world loves it when you’re in the news, and the whole world loves it when you sing the blues.” Provided fans are able to retain a safe distance, an artist’s pain is all too easily received as pleasure; it’s the same reason why many are quick to praise a rapper’s darkest work, one created during a time of personal crisis.

Leave it to the enigmatic genius to serve his satire with a smile. In his opening verse, Andre 3000 deftly dances his way through a variety of topics. His vernacular, matched in scope by his imagination and all the more potent for it, make even his battle rap braggadocio sound refined. “Set a date sucker, in battle we can engage,” he spits, one with the bouncy lullaby. “I’ll slice you, wife you, marry you, divorce you, throw the Porsche at you is what I’m forced to do.” There’s something fascinating about Andre’s syntax, manipulating traditional word placement to suit his purpose — yet somehow sounding more eloquent as a result. Though his verse itself isn’t inherently political in nature, Three Stacks doesn’t need to say much to make a point. It’s a testament to his power as an authoritative narrator, where elements like a slightly weary cadence can sell his temperament better than any lyrical description.

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Given how far Killer Mike has come since first careening onto the scene with his debut album Monster, it’s hard to picture a time where he wasn’t passionately leading the charge in the fight for equal rights. Like Andre, Mike swerves the deeper commentary “The Whole World” is making, instead placing his lyrical prowess at the forefront. Interestingly enough, the complex dynamic between an artist and a politically-and-or-racially resentful fan would be a topic that the Mike of today could easily discuss at length. Here, he’s simply part of the performance, another act in the circus. Given that the rapper spent much of “The Whole World’s” music video in front of the American flag, it’s likely he had no qualms of ruffling patriot feathers. How many current-day Run The Jewels fans would disagree with Mike’s political stances or challenge his philosophies on black excellence? While it may have taken him a while to evolve into the leader he is today, his involvement here indicates that he was always ahead of the curve.

It’s only Big Boi who verses the song into overtly political territory, his opening bars painting a picture of a world in turmoil. As the single was released only a few months after nine-eleven, where tensions with the Middle East were boiling, and George W. Bush was President of the United States, it’s fair to say that Americans were overwhelmed with anxiety. “Wait, back to the enemy of the state, is the Republicans or Democratic candidate?” wonders Big Boi, unable to make the distinction. It’s a familiar song and dance, one that has yet to slow nearly twenty years later. Politicians remain at odds. Hip-hop still stands as the dominant commercial musical genre, though many of the same prejudices and judgments remain for those who craft it.

That’s not to say one must abide by everything a rapper claims in order to appreciate their music. But as “The Whole World” aims to point out, it’s disturbingly easy to pass judgment from the sidelines and dehumanize an artist. Though Big Boi advises he and his groupmate look inward for inspiration, that chorus of dissonant voices can feel overwhelming. So next time you think of resenting Andre for his absence, instead choose empathy and aim to understand why he took a step back. You may love it when he makes those sounds, but is it really worth it if all he’s singing is the blues?

Killer Mike took over Selena Gomez‘s Instagram account in order to inform her massive following about issues plaguing the Black community and what they can do to help. Ever since George Floyd’s murder by police sparked recent protests against police brutality and systemic racism, many celebrities, including Selena Gomez, have been using their social media platforms to help educate the masses, bring attention to important resources and causes, and elevate the voices of prominent Black activists. Over the past week or so, Selena has invited a few different organizers such as Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza and author Ibram X. Kendi to take over her IG account in order to spread their teachings, and now, she’s called on Big Mike to do the same.

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Selena introduced Mike to her 179 million Instagram followers before indicating that he would be taking over her account in order to spread knowledge and awareness about racial injustice. “Please meet Michael Render, professionally known as Killer Mike,” she wrote. “He is an activist, Grammy Award-winning rapper, one half of the rap duo Run the Jewels, and host of the Netflix series, ‘Trigger Warning with Killer Mike.'”

“He and his wife, Shana, own the SWAG Shop barbershops in Atlanta,” she continued. “He is also co-owner, with Tip ‘T.I.’ Harris and Noel Khalil, of the historic Bankhead Seafood restaurant in Atlanta. He began organizing when he was 15, and was actually an organizer before he was a rapper. Today, Killer Mike’s taking over my Instagram!” Check out some of the stories Mike has shared so far using Selena’s platform and stay informed!

Joe Rogan has been keeping the content coming in almost every day, while fans await his move from YouTube to Spotify come September. For now, it’s all YouTube. The podcast host and UFC commentator welcomed Honey Honey, a pair of musicians who are past podcast guests, to discuss all things life in an epic four-hour conversation.

Rogan discusses the usual gamut of subjects with Suzanne Santo and Ben Jaffe, namely, everything that’s happening in the world right now. That means, a lot of discussion around politics, Trump’s various missteps– including the Bible photo op he had the other week— as well as who else might be able to fill the role of President.

The conversation begins with The Rock. Rogan advocates for The Rock at first, before later suggesting Killer Mike. “The Rock for president,” he starts, “Step in, step in. I saw your Instagram, my brother, listen, you could do it, I vote for you, no one’s going to fuck with You. You are America, by the way.”

Rogan continued to enumerate The Rock’s qualities: “And he’s a super nice guy, legitimately super nice, incredibly ambitious. He is the American dream, he came up from poverty. He epitomizes hard work.” 

However, as the conversation takes a turn, Rogan has a sudden thought: “Killer Mike, how about Killer Mike for President?” Joe Rogan adds, “He could be president, no bullshit. 100%.”

What do you think between the two contenders? Watch the full podcast episode below.

The Billboard 200 matter to some (i.e. major label artists) but most independent artists could care less about it. Over the past few days, we were blessed with the early release of Run The Jewels highly anticipated fourth studio album, RTJ4. The album arrived in the wake of protests across the country in support of Black Lives Matter, so it was either bound to get overshadowed by the headlines or bring solace to fans who are participating in the protests.

None of this actually matters to Killer Mike and El-P who both decided to give the album away for free with an option to purchase. Per Billboard, even with two tracking days, RTJ4 is by far Run The Jewels' most commercially successful to date. In a few days, it moved 38K album-equivalent units, propelling it to number 10 on the Billboard 200. This is now their first album to ever enter the top 10 on the chart.

The album benefitted from merch bundles with 30K of the 38K units coming from pure sales. Though it was available for free, they did encourage listeners to donate. After two days, they generated $160K in charitable donations for National Lawyers Guild Mass Defense Program and several other organizations. 

Surely, this album couldn't have come at a better time. What's your favorite track off of the project? Sound off below. 

At the launch of the George Floyd protests last week, Lil Wayne gave his opinion about people becoming vocal about police brutality. “We have to stop viewing it with such a broad view, meaning we have to stop placing the blame on the whole force and the whole everybody or a certain race or everybody with a badge.” Lil Wayne added at the time, “We have to actually get into who that person is. And if we want to place the blame on anybody, it should be ourselves for not doing more than what we think we’re doing.”

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The rapper received an onslaught of backlash from fans, foes, and his fellow celebrities, but on Friday’s (June 5) episode of Young Money Radio, the rapper told Killer Mike that people have to understand how he was raised to get why he made the comments that he did. “Mike, last week people misinterpreted my words,” Lil Wayne began. “I respect the effort of the people to seek justice and what they doin’. I just knew it was time for more action than a tweet. Also, my mama always told me—I sat in the passenger seat getting picked up from school every day and dropped off. I would look outside that window in the ‘hood, so you gon’ see situations when you riding home. I might make a comment or give my opinion on what I just saw.”

Weezy said his mother would give him a swift smack in the mouth. “Mind you f*ckin’ business,” he remembered his mother telling him. “Mind your business. You don’t even ask, ‘Why you smack me? Why I need to mind my business?’ But you know one thing, I need to mind my damn business. So, for folks out there that figure that whatever, Wayne gon’ say this or… Listen. I’m from New Orleans, understand. I’m from New Orleans where, what we’re seeing ladies and gentlemen around the world finally because [of] the cameraphones and all that, baby, we went through that every day. We saw that, we went through that every week. We gave police names, just cause of who they were and how they were, and we got used to that… That was the system. That’s what I grew up in. So, don’t blame me, don’t fault me. But if you do, you already know.”

Killer Mike agreed with Lil Wayne, adding that where he’s from, things were the same way so he didn’t fault him for making the remarks that he did. They spoke about ways that creatives and celebrities can help organize and become community leaders, including encouraging their followers to patronize certain lesser-known, black-owned businesses.

With protests against police brutality and systemic racism ongoing throughout the United States and Canada, many rappers have come forward in solidarity with the revolutionary movement. The legendary rapper and orator Killer Mike recently caught attention with a powerful speech in Atlanta, where he implored those hurting "to strategize, to organize, and to properly mobilize.” Mike's voice continues to resonate now more than ever, and it's likely he'll expand on some of his positions on the upcoming Run The Jewels 4 album.

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Following the announcement that it will arrive this Friday free of charge, an initiative announced by El-P yesterday, the rapper slash producer took to Instagram to preview one of the album's upcoming tracks "A Few Words For The Firing Squad." Premiering the song in full, the track features a heavy-build up accentuated by frantic bursts of brass.

"It's crippling, make you want lean on a cup of promethazine, but my queen say she need a king, not another junkie, flunky rapper fiend," raps Mike, drawn between love and duty. "Friends tell her he could be another Malcom, he could be another Martin / she told her partner 'I need a husband more than the world need another martyr.'" El matches Mike's energy, offering some words of wisdom of his own. "When your surrounded by the fog, treading water in the ice-cold dark," he spits. "When they got you you feeling like a fox running from another pack a dogs / put the pistol and the fist up in the air, we are there, swear to God." 

Check out the track below, and look for Run The Jewels 4 to arrive in full this Friday. 

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we love you stay safe out there

A post shared by thereallyrealelp (@thereallyrealelp) on May 31, 2020 at 1:48pm PDT

Eminem showed love to Killer Mike on Twitter, Saturday, tweeting out his speech at the Atlanta mayor’s press conference on Friday night, praising Killer Mike's work.

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"I’m with @killermike on this one. Incredibly well done," Eminem wrote.

In the video, Killer Mike joins T.I., Dr. Bernice King and Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to encourage rioters to stop destroying their home-city.

“I got a lot of love and respect for police officers down to the original eight police officers in Atlanta that even after becoming police, had to dress in a YMCA because white officers didn’t want to get dressed with n*ggers,” he said. “Here we are 80 years later, I watched a white officer assassinate a black man and I know that tore your heart out. I have nothing positive to say in this moment, because I don’t want to be here.

“I am duty-bound to be here to simply say it is your duty not to burn your own house down for anger with an enemy. It is your duty to fortify your own house, so that you may be a house of refuge in times of organization. And now is the time to plot, plan, strategize, organize and mobilize.”

Check out the full speech here.

Run The Jewels have consistently been fighting against the system through their music — even when Killer Mike and El-P work as solo artists. Following the protests going on across America against the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, Run The Jewels have announced that the release of their fourth LP will be available for free upon its release.

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In a statement issued to Instagram, El-P explained that he and Killer Mike are offering this project for free in support of the protests. “I don’t have shit left to say right now that me and my brother @killermike don’t express on this album so i’m not saying shit anymore til then. on it is all our joy, humor, friendship and rage. we got bangers to help you lose yourself and smile and we got shit that comes from the deepest places in our hearts and when it drops on friday it will not only be for sale but it will be made available for FREE for ANYONE who wants some music,” he explained. “for me this is the only way i really know how to contribute to the human struggle and experience beyond just trying to be kind and aware and grow. it’s the only weapon i’m truly trained in and i’m grateful to have it. so no more talk from me until the music drops . i love y’all be safe don’t fall for the fuck shit and protect each other and your spirits from those that would divide and hurt you. this ain’t an advertisement this is just me saying i love you and i hope this music does something for you in these fucked up times.”

The announcement arrives after Killer Mike spoke about the current situation in Atlanta last night alongside T.I. The two rappers urged their communities to stop looting and rioting, though they did acknowledge that they understood the pain that many people across the country are feeling.

Check out El-P’s post below. 

Killer Mike and T.I. delivered impassioned speeches last night during a press conference in Atlanta addressing the state of the city. With riots and protests going on across America, both T.I. and Killer Mike acknowledged the pain that they, as well as the Black community as a whole, are going through right now. However, for two men who grew up in Atlanta, they urged protesters and those in the streets to strategize the way they're going to make a change instead of burning and looting in the city of Atlanta.

Though many didn't entirely agree on the matter, Killer Mike and T.I.'s sentiment appears to get the backing of Tyler Perry and 2 Chainz. The latter took to Twitter at the wee hours of the morning to address the protests, as well as the coronavirus pandemic. "This is America?" He captioned the post. "What we doin'? PS> I rambled some but you feel me."

"I'mma get straight to it. If you didn't think a White cop killing a Black man is more serious than COVID-19, you can look at all the protests and you will realize that no one is practicing social distancing," Chainz said in the video. "If you're from out of town, and you comin' out here burnin' shit, take ya ass back home. We ain't asking you to do that. Third, you already know if you keep fuckin' up shit, Trump's going to say something about our Mayor and try to make her look incompetent which we all know, she way better than that. Let's think this out -- the city is ran by predominantly Black people."

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Atl what we doin ? PS. I rambled some but you feel me

A post shared by 2 Chainz Aka Tity Boi (@2chainz) on May 29, 2020 at 7:49pm PDT

Tyler Perry, who isn't currently in Atlanta, issued a statement with a stern warning to protesters to be careful about where they're getting information and who is trying to organize these protests.

"I’m not in Atlanta, but if I were I would have been standing with our Mayor! But there was nothing I could say better than what Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said last night! Please, please stop this violence!! Looting is NOT THE ANSWER!!!!" He wrote. "And listen to me, be careful where you are getting your information to JOIN protests!! There are people and other countries who are posting things pretending to be US, pretending to stand for peaceful protest, but they are trying to incite us into violence and chaos to try and do more harm!!"

Read his post below.