Killer Mike promised “a bit more than a show” at the start of his appearance during the RiverBeat Music Festival in Downtown Memphis. The Atlanta rapper delivered on that, offering a mix of hip-hop and church, good humor and serious messages during his set Saturday evening on the Stringbend Stage.
Killer Mike — who began his career in the early 2000s and more recently has been hailed for his work as part of the duo Run the Jewels — released one of the past year’s top rap albums with “Michael.”
The veteran MC, looking resplendent in all white outfit, was clearly still riding high from his February sweep of the Grammy’s rap categories, where he won awards for Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song.
“I went and picked up three Grammys, and I brought my Grammys back to the South,” he noted. “My name is Michael, and I’m a Southerner.”
Representing for the region, Killer Mike — one of the more knowledgeable students of hip-hop history — also shouted out several Memphis icons, including the late Gangsta Boo, as well her fellow Three 6 Mafia member DJ Paul, who was a key contributor to the “Michael” project.
Backed by Trackstar the DJ and his troupe of backing singers, The Mighty Midnight Revival, Killer Mike said his road manager had mentioned the crowd — still filtering into southern end of Tom Lee Park — was a little light for the start of his set.
The rapper quickly began engaging the audience in a call and response, quoting from the Gospel of Matthew that “wherever two or more are gathered,” before proceeding to work through a sharp, hard-hitting, hour-plus performance.
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He performed several highlights off the “Michael” LP — including “Down By Law,” “Shed Tears,” and “Scientists and Engineers” and “Exit 9” — while occasionally digging into the more distant corners of his catalog and even offering up his collaboration with fellow Atlanta rapper — and Sunday RiverBeat performer — Big Boi, “Kill Jill.”
In between songs, he proceeded to speak on a variety of issues, from the challenges of relationships to parenting. He prefaced the song “Something for Junkies,” with an affecting reflection on the nature of addiction (while giving a nod to Sunday RiverBeat headliner and recovering addict Jelly Roll in the process).
By the time he had wrapped his set, the crowd had grown exponentially, sending him off with a well-earned ovation.
