Michael＜限定盤/Amber Vinyl＞

Michael is Killer Mikes first solo album in over a decade, after the politically charged R.A.P. Music led to the formation of Run the Jewels with producer/rapper El-P, altering the trajectory of Mikes music career and eventually returning him to the Top Ten of the Billboard 200 with 2020s RTJ4. The 2023 effort is both an autobiographical reflection on his lifes journey to this point as well as a musical homecoming, largely drawing from gospel, funk, soul, and 90s Dirty South rap. Haunting choral vocals and church organs call out beneath the booming beats and nimble bass guitars on songs like the confessional "Shed Tears" and empowering, Last Poets-sampling "Nrich." Much of the album finds Mike navigating through his numerous identities (hip-hop lifer, loyal churchgoer, family figure, social justice activist, property owner, businessman, wealthy celebrity), acknowledging his contradictions with the albums cover, a childhood portrait bearing both a halo and devil horns. "TalkN That Shit!," co-produced by Three 6 Mafias DJ Paul, addresses those who accuse Mike of having "gone to sleep" and turning his back on his previous positions. While he brags about being a landlord on "Spaceship Views," he expresses empathy for the less advantaged on several other songs, most notably "Something for Junkies," in which he acknowledges the humanity of substance abusers. In particular, he refers to conversations with an aunt addicted to crack, who says that she knows he loves her because he treats her like a human being. Mike mourns the loss of his mother and grandmother on the vulnerable, apologetic "Motherless." "Dont Let the Devil," the records only song featuring co-production and a guest verse by El-P, finds the two in boast-heavy Run the Jewels mode as they criticize the church system. One of the albums most attention-grabbing tracks, "Scientists & Engineers," boasts a weightless yet robotic intro guest verse by Andre 3000, followed by second-generation Dungeon Family recruit Future, then finally a lush choir backing Mikes breathless triple-time rapping. Though Michael can get overbearing at times, the production is generally stellar, and its easily the rappers most honest and emotional work. ~ Paul Simpson

近年はラン・ザ・ジュエルズとしての活動が目立っていたアトランタのヴェテラン・ラッパーが実に約11年ぶりに放ったソロ作。自身の本名をタイトルに、若かりし頃の写真をジャケに用いたことからもわかるように、己のルーツに返ってソウルやファンク、ゴスペルなどさまざまな要素をガンボの如くブチ込んでいる。タイ・ダラー・サインやブラスト、ジャギド・エッジらシンガーも多数招聘。先行曲"Scientists & Engineers"での同胞アンドレ3000やフューチャーを筆頭にDJポールやカレンシー、2チェインズら南部のいろんな地区の要人たちも参加した濃厚なサウス・ヒップホップ・アルバムだ。
bounce (C)Masso 187um