Killer Mike shares “Songs For Sinners & Saints,” a prequel to “Michael.”
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TOP 5 SONGS
5. STILL TALK’N THAT SHIT (Ft. Key Glock & Project Pat)
I’m still a major fan of an ignorant Killer Mike.
“STILL TALK’N THAT SHIT” stands out from the rest of the album with its distinct style. In this track, Killer Mike takes shots at his competitors and non-black black individuals who talked s**t about him, while Key Glock targets those who are too eager to latch onto his success, and Project Pat mocks those who can’t match his flair. The song features a cold southern beat with a sample that I love. Glock delivers a laid-back performance, Mike sounds agitated, and Project Pat comes across as high.
4. EXIT 9 SCENIC ROUTE (Ft. Blxst & Offset)
Wow, what a day for Offset.
In “EXIT 9 SCENIC ROUTE,” Killer Mike and Offset delve into their respective journeys, reflecting on their rise to success, the trials they’ve faced, and the losses they’ve endured. I think Offset’s verse about losing his brother and grandmother is hella emotional.
Killer Mike delivers his verses with an assertive tone and unwavering flow, while Offset brings passion and rapid-fire delivery to his lines. Together, they create a compelling collaboration that will resonate with listeners, especially when you add Blxst’s silky-smooth chorus to the equation.
3. LORD PREPARE ME (Ft. Benny Gang Kushington, JANE HANDCOCK & Adonica Nunn)
Why do you black people think the LORD will have mercy on drug dealers and pimps?
In “LORD PREPARE ME,” Killer Mike opens up about his baby mamas and getting rid of more weight than Ozempic in the past. Belly Gang Kushington follows a similar theme, asking the Lord for safety while committing serious sins that probably won’t be approved. Adonica Nunn contributes a verse where she seeks forgiveness for smoking weed and asks for divine support as she navigates life’s challenges.
Despite Killer Mike and Bellygang Kush’s blasphemous lyrics, the song’s sound is compelling. It features a gritty verse from Benny, a confessional verse from Mike, and a soulful, sly contribution from Jarae. Jane Handcock’s touching vocals complement the piano-driven, church-inspired backdrop beautifully.
2. HUMBLE ME
I still can’t believe Killer Mike was arrested the night he won his first Grammy.
In “HUMBLE ME,” Killer Mike talks about his major come-up, bringing up how he got it out of the mud to now rocking shiny diamonds and meeting with influential individuals. He also talks about his crazy Grammy night debacle in great detail. As expected, we get tons of passion out of Mike, as, over the song’s hard-hitting, soulful beat with several church elements, he raps like a dude who is ready to go to war with Beelzebub.
1. NOBODY KNOWS (Ft. Anthony Hamilton)
Oh s**t, Anthony Hamilton is on this song? That means it’s on some struggle s**t.
In “NOBODY KNOWS,” Killer Mike reflects on his relationship with God, his readiness to confront depression, and his commitment to integrity in all aspects of life. He also shares how close he has come to hitting rock bottom.
You’ll be drawn to the track’s vibrant production, featuring church-inspired elements and a rhythm perfect for clapping along. Killer Mike’s assertive, precise raps blend seamlessly with Anthony Hamilton’s soulful vocals, making this track a complete and compelling listen.
SONG-BY-SONG RATING
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RGM RATING
(B+)
Killer Mike is having one of the most impressive end-of-career runs in hip-hop history—he’s in his Dirk Nowitzki championship phase.
Contrary to popular belief, I grew up going to church, so I have a deep appreciation for songs with church elements. It feels like the backbone of this album is built on that. Throughout Songs For Sinners & Saints, you’ll hear choirs, organs, and more. When the church elements aren’t present, you get some hard-hitting, strong Southern rap s**t, as showcased in the last two tracks. Mike fits whatever he hops on.
There are only a few rappers whose words resonate with people, and Killer Mike is now one of them. While he has always been a wise figure, the recognition from mainstream publications has made more people pay attention to him. With that said, I was all ears listening to Killer Mike reflect on his past—his hoe days, his drug dealing past, and the times he struggled—and his present-day challenges and successes. Mike feels like a reflection of all of us who can finally say we made it after years of grinding.
One can argue that Killer Mike is anti-present-day hip-hop. There’s nothing about the way he raps that sounds like what I hear on the radio (like, my n***a, he sounds nothing like BossMan DLow). However, I love the animation, the assertiveness, and the overall energy he raps with. In other words, Mike’s real-ass lyrics are what will keep you entertained.
Don’t you just love how Killer Mike collaborates with other artists? Whether it’s a star like Offset or a newcomer like BennyGang, he gives them the space to shine in the same way he does. It’s almost like he finds pure joy in sharing his knowledge and experience with others.
I think Michael and Songs For Sinners & Saints do a fantastic job of honoring Killer Mike’s illustrious career.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
