The 10-song collection is the “conclusion” to the Atlanta rap icon's 2023 album. Michael
Killer Mike's sixth solo album, due out in 2023 Michael, This album was a new kind of prestige rap release. Coming 24 years after his first track on Outkast’s seminal Stankonia , this was a veteran artist’s retrospective, clearly drawing the lines between struggling kid and grateful, repentant adult. Over slow country rap and church organ, Killer Mike spoke personally, locally, and globally, singing about grief, regret, addiction, self-sufficiency, and resilience through the prism of systemic racism, his Southern rap forebears, and his own faith.
It was rated as a “conclusion” for Michael10 tracks Songs for Saints and Sinners “It’s a collection of new tracks, remixes, revisions, and separate songs that will likely mark the end of this creative era. For the most part, the main line of this project is the keys to gospel/R&B mainstay Warryn Campbell and members of the six-member gospel group Mighty Midnight Revival who have been supporting Mike throughout the year as he tours theaters and festivals. “Higher Level” is a refreshing triumphant lap that matches Trillville’s hit “Neva Eva” with soulful organ work. The album’s highlight, “Nobody Knows,” features Pastor TL Barrett & The Youth For Christ Choir’s much-loved song of the same name: featuring Anthony Hamilton, it plays like a contemplative gospel rap of Michael But more joyful. With Campbell on guitar, bass and keys, “Lord Prepare Me” shines as Mike details his journey: “I never would have done that/Human trafficking so bad/Should have been dead or in jail but look at me standing here praising the Lord.”
A bunch of remixes and new releases from Michael The tracks are less catchy but still useful. The reworked version of “Exit 9” falls somewhere between Bruce Hornsby and D'Angelo thanks to Campbell's warm keys and a soaring outro from Lena Byrd Miles. “Still Talk'n That Shit” features Mike re-riding DJ Paul's powerful beat for “Talk'n That Shit!” alongside Key Glock and the ever-present Project Pat. The reworked “Slummer 4 Junkies” MichaelTeenage love song (“Slummer”) and MichaelThe addictive, empathetic song (“Something for Junkies”) is turned into a 10-minute cinematic epic with narration from Atlanta Bishop Andrew Potter.
Songs for Saints and Sinners A powerful piece of fan service for anyone who’s enjoyed watching the King of the Underground spend the past twelve months racking up Grammys and BET Awards. And even with victory, there’s no guaranteed end to the ordeal. “Humble Me,” a song about his arrest on the night of the Grammys itself, shows that Killer Mike’s journey—both musical and spiritual—doesn’t end there. “I had to calm my mind, I prayed and prayed and prayed,” he raps about his detention. “Liars were lying with their lies, I just kept the faith.”
