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Killer Mike Interview
RnB/Hip Hop | Wednesday 7th December 2011 | Osh
We caught up with Killer Mike while he was in sunny Miami
You made your debut on OutKast’s ‘Stankonia’, how did that come about?
I knew Cee-Lo and other people who were involved on the album because we were all young dudes who started making tapes. I was out on the streets and made a little money, so we booked some studio time and people heard some stuff they liked. I was putting out a record called “Slumlord” with my group, but my homies got knocked on an armed robbery charge and were facing 40 years to life. While they were waiting for their trial I was working behind the scenes and got a record deal.
How did you first get into music?
My Grandparents were into music like Gospel and Blues but my family worked so that wasn’t as important to them but they did play a lot. I fell in love with Soul music because Gospel and Blues were the beginning of Soul and my mother was really big on that. Rap touched me because of the depth of storytelling and the clever lyrics. I never thought I would be a musician because I was more into drawing. I wanted to be a graffiti artist first but I was too chubby to run from the cops.
You have released 7 albums since working with Outcast, do you think they have influenced your sound?
I think working with them make me unafraid, they taught me how to hone my craft but I don’t think I’ve followed their style. I think my style is different because I’m from Westside Atlanta, it’s more aggressive so it’s different from theirs.
You have a new album out (R.A.P.), what was the creative process behind that?
I wanted to step back into the commercial realm and the international stage but I wanted to do it my way. I just wanted to make a classic record.
Who are your rap heros?
Nas, Biggie, Too Short, 2 Live Crew and loads of others. I just grew up loving hip hop, the rappers I listened to are important to my personal style and you can hear Ice Cube and Scarface in that. There are over 150 rap artists that I like. Hip hop as a whole just opened my soul in a way that other music hasn’t.
Your first single from the album is “Ready, Set, Go” is with T.I., how did you hook up with him?
We are business partners and have been friends for nearly 10 years, but before that we were in the same neighbourhood, our grandmothers lived like 10 minutes from each other. Making music with him is really easy.
This year for you has been a big year for you, what are you most looking forward to coming up?
For the rest of this year I’m just trying to get out more music. I think people have begun to accept me on the next level. I think the thing is to be challenged.
Are you planning to head over to London anytime soon?
I’m trying to get over there after September, but I have another album coming out
If you were invisible for the day what would you get up to?
I’d get in a bank volt.
If you could have a swimming pool filled with anything what would it be?
_ and money
Could you give us an exclusive?
3 words: The Elegant Elephant
You made your debut on OutKast’s ‘Stankonia’, how did that come about?
I knew Cee-Lo and other people who were involved on the album because we were all young dudes who started making tapes. I was out on the streets and made a little money, so we booked some studio time and people heard some stuff they liked. I was putting out a record called “Slumlord” with my group, but my homies got knocked on an armed robbery charge and were facing 40 years to life. While they were waiting for their trial I was working behind the scenes and got a record deal.
How did you first get into music?
My Grandparents were into music like Gospel and Blues but my family worked so that wasn’t as important to them but they did play a lot. I fell in love with Soul music because Gospel and Blues were the beginning of Soul and my mother was really big on that. Rap touched me because of the depth of storytelling and the clever lyrics. I never thought I would be a musician because I was more into drawing. I wanted to be a graffiti artist first but I was too chubby to run from the cops.
You have released 7 albums since working with Outcast, do you think they have influenced your sound?
I think working with them make me unafraid, they taught me how to hone my craft but I don’t think I’ve followed their style. I think my style is different because I’m from Westside Atlanta, it’s more aggressive so it’s different from theirs.
You have a new album out (R.A.P.), what was the creative process behind that?
I wanted to step back into the commercial realm and the international stage but I wanted to do it my way. I just wanted to make a classic record.
Who are your rap heros?
Nas, Biggie, Too Short, 2 Live Crew and loads of others. I just grew up loving hip hop, the rappers I listened to are important to my personal style and you can hear Ice Cube and Scarface in that. There are over 150 rap artists that I like. Hip hop as a whole just opened my soul in a way that other music hasn’t.
Your first single from the album is “Ready, Set, Go” is with T.I., how did you hook up with him?
We are business partners and have been friends for nearly 10 years, but before that we were in the same neighbourhood, our grandmothers lived like 10 minutes from each other. Making music with him is really easy.
This year for you has been a big year for you, what are you most looking forward to coming up?
For the rest of this year I’m just trying to get out more music. I think people have begun to accept me on the next level. I think the thing is to be challenged.
Are you planning to head over to London anytime soon?
I’m trying to get over there after September, but I have another album coming out
If you were invisible for the day what would you get up to?
I’d get in a bank volt.
If you could have a swimming pool filled with anything what would it be?
_ and money
Could you give us an exclusive?
3 words: The Elegant Elephant
