Listen to Killer Mike address his Grammy arrest on new song, ‘Humble Me’
Killer Mike has dropped new song ‘Humble Me’ – tackling his recent arrest at the 2024 Grammys.
The Atlanta rapper released ‘Humble Me’ and an accompanying music video hours after winning Album of the Year at this year’s BET Awards for his sixth studio album, ‘Michael‘. The striking black-and-white video shows Mike rapping to the camera while police gradually remove his jewellery and handcuff him.
Through his lyrics, he drew parallels between his recent arrest and the experience of civil rights activists as well as the Biblical story of Daniel in the lions’ den.
While reflecting on the February 4 incident, he rapped: “I won at the Grammys for spitting my grammar / Did that for Atlanta, bruh / swept up like a janitor / Got sent to the slammer / Treat me like an animal or some kind of Hannibal / Vicious and cannibal.”
He continued: “I walked out the door with my head up and handcuffs with pride / ‘Cause all of my heroes wore handcuffs / The FBI shot some of them and they died.”
Mike’s son Mikael ‘Pony Boy’ Render also made a cameo while his dad rapped: “So I went to sleep as free as could be / and the next day my son got a kidney” – confirming that his son had a life-saving kidney transplant a day after the Grammys.
Earlier this year, Mike was detained by Los Angeles police, which stemmed from an altercation with a security guard outside the Grammy pre-telecast. Although he was initially charged with misdemeanour battery, the city’s Attorney’s Office later decided not to pursue any criminal charges. Instead, the Run The Jewels star completed community service.
Killer Mike is taken away in handcuffs at https://t.co/9ImDm1bpFW Arena after winning 3 #Grammys pic.twitter.com/1IUBU0IQb6
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 5, 2024
While accepting his BET Award this week, Mike also addressed the high-profile incident, saying: “Technically, I was not supposed to be here. I was put in handcuffs and I was marched out of this building, but I want to tell you, look at God because I’m back baby. I’m back and I’m winning.”
“I want to tell Black people that, because of BET, I’m back.” he added. “Not ’cause of no white person calling nobody. A Black man runs this business, a Black company put this show on, and they got my Black ass back in here. Thank y’all.”
Mike also urged viewers to vote in the upcoming US presidential election this November, which will see either the current POTUS Joe Biden or the controversial 45th President Donald Trump be elected for a second term.
“Who we vote for on the big stage is important, but it’s more important you know who your city council person is, who your prosecutor is,” he said. “And if you don’t like the people running, run your Black ass to the polls and run yourself.”
According to Billboard, ‘Humble Me’ will appear on Mike’s upcoming seventh album. The record will be released later this summer via Loma Vista Recording, but Mike has yet to reveal a name or release date for the project.
Killer Mike is currently on the North American leg of his ‘Down By Law Tour’. The rapper, backed by the Mighty Midnight Revival choir, will also stop at major US festivals including Lollapalooza before they venture around the UK and Europe this autumn. You can find any available US tickets here and visit here for any tickets to the UK and EU shows.
In other news, Mike paid tribute to Rico Wade in an emotive Instagram post after the pivotal producer passed this April.
The post Listen to Killer Mike address his Grammy arrest on new song, ‘Humble Me’ appeared first on NME.
