Killer Mike has released the single, ‘RUN’, the first piece of new solo music from the Run The Jewels member in a decade. Although Killer Mike has become a celebrated rapper globally through his work with Run The Jewels, he hasn’t released solo material since 2012’s, R.A.P. Music.
‘RUN’ falls in line with the impassioned style of rap Mike is known and renowned for. Releasing the single to coincide with U.S. Independence Day (4th July), ‘RUN’ reframes American history with the inclusion of Black history. The single features a guest verse from Young Thug and an intro monologue courtesy of Dave Chappelle.
Killer Mike – ‘RUN’ ft. Dave Chappelle & Young Thug
The music video for ‘RUN’, directed by Adrian Villagomez, is a powerful visual in itself, portraying Black people in a battle against those trying to return America’s South to the Confederacy. The music video is also timely, considering Young Thug’s recent incarceration (the slogan “Free Thug” features in the video).
For Killer Mike, the release of new solo music follows his various projects as a social and cultural commentator, and business person. He has curated impactful shows, including Netflix’s Trigger Warning, and was the inaugural recipient of Billboard’s Change Maker Award. He has also been vocal about injustices towards Black Americans, particularly in the wake of the death of George Floyd.
The most recent Run The Jewels record, RTJ4, dropped in 2020. The album received widespread acclaim and cracked the top ten of the Billboard 200 – the duo’s first album to achieve the feat.
Further Reading
Watch Killer Mike And Seth Myers Discuss Raid On U.S. Capitol