On Killer Mike’s sixth studio album the Southern emcee takes up the mantle of one of Hip-Hop’s elder statesmen, creating one of the most intuitive and thoughtful rap albums for years.
Taking the classic approach of employing just one producer and few guest appearances, El-P takes sole control of the decks giving Mike the perfect soundscape to rhyme over.
R.A.P kicks off with the banging Big Beast. Joined by fellow Southern alumni Bun B and TI over a ferocious El-P beat it is sure to tear up clubs everywhere.
Killer Mike is at his concious best on Reagan. Intersplicing the track with an actual Reagan speech, the Atlanta rapper questions US politics, especially how American industry has a basis on the free labour achieved through the prison system.
Mike does a great job of painting a dystopian picture and raising plenty of political issues without sounding contrived or forced.
The Snappin’and Trappin’ emcee’s flow is sprightly and deft throughout. On the hookless Go he proves that in terms of technique he is at the top of his game.
The album ends on a high with R.A.P Music a homage to all the black musicians that paved the way for him to be able to make this album.
All in all the album is great, blending thought provoking rhymes over brilliant beats. Killer Mike has taken his time but on his sixth attempt he has created a classic.