In 2023, after two decades in the rap game, Killer Mike turned a page in his career with the highly autobiographical album Michael, which won him multiple trophies at the Grammy Awards, where he was arrested backstage. On his new follow-up, Songs for Sinners and Saints, he reworks several songs from Michael by reaching even deeper back into the church music of his childhood. Andrew Clifton/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Jay-Z (left) accepts the honorary Dr. Dre Global Impact Award alongside his daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, during the 66th Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy hide caption
Killer Mike Jonathan Mannion/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Michael is Killer Mike's first solo album since 2012, after over a decade of focusing on his duo Run the Jewels. Jonathan Mannion/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Killer Mike's first new solo album in more than a decade, Michael, is on NPR Music's short list for the best releases out on June 16. Jonathan Mannion/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Killer Mike. Dale Edwin Murray for NPR hide caption
Killer Mike of Run The Jewels. After appearing in an interview with NRATV, the rapper claims his appearance was misused by the gun advocacy organization. David A. Smith/Getty Images hide caption
Killer Mike and George Clinton talk barbering, music and history in The SWAG Shop in Atlanta. NPR hide caption
Killer Mike (left) and George Clinton met up in The SWAG Shop, the barbershop Killer Mike owns in Atlanta. Cameron Robert/NPR hide caption
Rappers Killer Mike (left) and El-P make up the duo Run The Jewels. Todd Westphal/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Clockwise, from upper left: FFS (Franz Ferdinand and Sparks), Michael Angelakos of Passion Pit, Killer Mike, MNDR, BC Camplight Courtesy of the artists hide caption
"If I trust you with the power of human life, your standard has to be much higher," says rapper Killer Mike, son of a policeman, on police violence. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
El-P (Jaime Meline) and Killer Mike (Michael Render) are Run the Jewels. Timothy Saccenti/Courtesy of Biz 3 Publicity hide caption
El-P, Killer Mike, Despot and Mr. Mf'n eXquire celebrate a successful studio session at KEXP in Seattle. Dave Lichterman/KEXP hide caption
Killer Mike's new album, his sixth, is called R.A.P. Music. Courtesy of Life and Death PR hide caption