Killer Mike has become the voice of Southern independent thinking. Rather than let his career languish in push-back limbo, he went the independent route. After releasing I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind, he was officially liberated. However, things changed when I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II was released. People started to notice that his craftsmanship improved. Also, Mike was willing to do what it took to succeed. Many took notice, including Hiphopdx.com (independent album of the year and video of the year for “Pressure” in 2008) and T.I., who signed him to Grand Hustle. With focus, effort, a hustler’s attitude and a prayer, Killer Mike persevered to obtain greatness.

Now, before he releases R.A.P. Music with major distribution, Mike had to keep the streets fed with Pl3dge. People may question if he succeeds. I can only be honest: he has kept up his musical momentum. What makes Killer Mike’s music compelling is the fact that he makes his music for the people. With Ice Cube comparisons abound, Killa Kill from Da Ville replenishes the world’s truth serum on “That’s Life 2”. Keeping up with his tendency to educate and relate is “Burn”, a piano looped outcry for revolution and pyrotechnics that is rarely mentioned this side of Hades. The capitalistic exploration known as “American Dream” allows the listener to understand he is pro anything “that prevents me[him] from feeling poverty”. Even with the sequel “God In The Building” and the ever positive “Follow Your Dreams”, it is quite clear that Killer Mike is not your regular trap star-turned-lyricist.

Yet, one cannot expect him to stray away from the streets he knows and loves. “Go Out On The Town” is an ode to chillin’, flossing, and smoking excellent strands of kush. “Animal”, featuring Gucci Mane, goes in with the bombastic beats that would rattle any speaker from here to the stripper poles in Strokers. “Players Lullaby” allows Mike and Twista flip lyrics so the women can get Niagara (see: sexual arousal). Intentionally, Killer Mike made sure to balance his edutainment with quality gravel laced block rocking jams.

At the end of the day, Pl3dge shows that Killer Mike hasn’t lost an ounce of enthusiasm and motivation. He is still on the same path of educating the streets with knowledge and keeping true to his roots. However, he still avoids making another redundant album by staying up to date and using different approaches. Even still, his message never gets stale. Killer Mike has made an album that stands the test of time; it is a true piece of urban art.

 

Article by Mark Harris, contributing writer for STACKS Magazine