Killer Mike released his debut album, Monster, in 2003. The album's lead single was "Akshon (Yeah!)", it featured OutKast on guest vocals, and was included on the soundtrack to the 2004 version of EA Sports popular video game Madden NFL. He even made a Madden '04 remix of "Akshon (Yeah!)" for the game. Following the release of his own material, he appeared on "Flip Flop Rock" and "Bust" on the Speakerboxx half of Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. He also appeared on "Southern Takeover" with Pastor Troy on Chamillionaire's CD The Sound of Revenge. His second album "Ghetto Extraordinary" has had its release date pushed back several times due to disputes between Big Boi and Sony Records.
He collaborated with underground legendary producer and MC EL-P on his album R.A.P. Music in 2012. Mike and El-P went on to form the famous hip-hop duo Run The Jewels, releasing their debut self-titled album in 2013, RTJ2 in 2014, and RTJ3 in 2016, with RTJ4 planned for a release in 2019.
Killer Mike has also performed as a voice actor. He plays a rapper/actor, turned President of the United States, named Taqu'il in the Adult Swim cartoon Frisky Dingo. According to an article published in the June 2007 issue of XXL, Killer Mike addressed why he left the Purple Ribbon roster. He stated that he felt as if Purple Ribbon was the equivalent to the "Clippers," while he wanted to join the "Lakers."
Discography
Albums
Monster (2003)
I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind (2006)
I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II (2008)
Ghetto Extraordinary (2008)
Pl3dge (2011)
R.A.P. Music (2012)
Singles
* 2001: "The Whole World" (OutKast featuring Killer Mike)
* 2002: "Land of a Million Drums" (Outkast featuring Killer Mike & Sleepy Brown)
* 2003: "Akshon (Yeah!)" (featuring OutKast)
* 2003: "A.D.I.D.A.S." (featuring Big Boi & Sleepy Brown)
* 2003: "A.D.I.D.A.S. (Cool N Dre remix)" (featuring Jermaine Dupri & Amil) (promo only release)
* 2005: "My Chrome" (featuring Big Boi)
* 2006: "The Juggernaut"
* 2006: "That's Life"
* 2006: "All That Jizz" (as Ta'Quil; from the show Frisky Dingo)
* 2006: "Bad Day, Worst Day" (featuring Ice Cube)
* 2007: "My Chrome" (featuring Big Boi)
* 2007: "Get Em' Shawty" (featuring Bubba Sparxxx & Three 6 Mafia)
* 2007: "Blam Blam" (Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theatres Colon Soundtrack)
Appearances
* DarkBrown & Dru - "Ridin' Chevy's" (featuring Killer Mike)
* Purple Ribbon All-Stars - "Kryptonite (I'm On It)" (featuring Big Boi, Blackowned C-Bone, Killer Mike, and Rock D)
* Purple Ribbon All-Stars - "Body Rock" (featuring Lil' Co, Killer Mike, and Donkey Boy)
* Purple Ribbon All-Stars - "My Chrome" (featuring Big Boi & Killer Mike)
* Purple Ribbon All-Stars - "Claremont Lounge" (featuring Bubba Sparxx, Killer Mike, and Coool Breeze)
* Purple Ribbon All-Stars - "Ain't No Love" (Killer Mike freestyle)
* Purple Ribbon All-Stars - "Kryptonite (Remix)" (featuring Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Bubba Sparxxx, Remy Ma, Busta Rhymes, & Killer Mike)
* Bone Crusher - "It's On" (featuring Killer Mike & Trick Daddy)
* Bone Crusher - "Never Scared" (featuring Killer Mike & T.I.)
* Bubba Sparxxx - "Miss New Booty (Remix)" (featuring Big Boi & Killer Mike)
* Bubba Sparxxx - "Sinners" (feauring Killer Mike, Bone Crusher & David Banner)
* Kool G Rap - "Real OGs" - (Featuring Killer Mike & Bun B)
* Jay-Z - "Poppin' Tags" (featuring Big Boi, Killer Mike & Twista)
* Chamillionaire - "Southern Takeover" (featuring Pastor Troy & Killer Mike)
* Talib Kweli - "Tryin' to Breathe" (featuring Midi Mafia & Killer Mike)
* Lil' Jon - "Back Off Now" (featuring Killer Mike & Papa Roach)
* Lil' Jon - "Da Jump Off" (featuring Killer Mike & 404 Soldierz)
* 8 Ball & MJG - "Runnin Out of Bud" (featuring Killer Mike)
* Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters Colon the Soundtrack - "Blam Blam"
* Jagged Edge - "Pour Out A Little Liquor" (featuring Killer Mike & Sosa)
* Paul Wall - "Dat's What Dat Is" (featuring Bun B, Killer Mike & H.A.W.K.)
* Youngbloodz - "Hustle" (featuring Killer Mike)
* Gucci Mane - "Black Tee (Remix)" (featuring Killer Mike, Jody Breeze, Bun B, Lil Scrappy, & Young Jeezy)
* No Doubt - "Hey Baby (Remix)" (featuring Outkast & Killer Mike)
* Ying Yang Twins - "What The F***!" (featuring Killer Mike & Bone Crusher)
* Ras Kass - "Put Ya Glass Out" (featuring Killer Mike)
* Lil Flip - "We Ain't Playin" (featuring Killer Mike, Baby D, & Pastor Troy)
* Da Backwudz - "Gettin 2 It"
* DJ Kay Slay - "Coast 2 Coast Gangstas" (featuring Sauce Money, Killer Mike, Bun B, WC, Joe Budden & Hak Ditty)
* Roccett - "LA 2 ATL" (featuring Killer Mike)
* BPT - "Dragon Ballin" (featuring Killer Mike)
* Balboa - "Hard" (featuring Akon, Killer Mike & Jody Breeze)
* Kavious - "In The Yo" (featuring Killer Mike)
* M.O.P. - "Push Back" (featuring Killer Mike)
* Young Buck - "Welcome To The South (Remix)" (featuring Bun B, Killer Mike & David Banner)
* Stat Quo - "More Problems" (featuring Killer Mike)
* Big Boi - "Oh No" (featuring Killer Mike & Bubba Sparxxx)
* SL Jones - "Superhead" (featuring Killer Mike, Gangsta Boo & Nario)
* Sly & The Family Stone - "Runnin Away" (featuring Big Boi, Killer Mike & Sleepy Brown)
* Trina - "Look Back At Me" (featuring Killer Mike)
* Bun B- "Some Hoes" (featuring Chino XL, Killer Mike & Bulletproof)
* Rehab - "Sleeping Giant" (Feat. Killer Mike)
Can You Hear Me
Killer Mike Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While I'm gettin this cash, deep in the bundles/ gettin it fast, tryin to do what I want to/ they on my ass, but I'm keepin'em from you/ 1: 16 on the dash, they dont see when I come through
now Iran-Contra is hauntin' you back
/ now we took the crack and put it in rap/ now your kids is high off that
All wack rappers, sucker for lyrical commentators, fake critics, you niggas is just plain asleep if you dont notice, fuck niggas you might wake up and have duct tape over your mouth and a ski-mask in ya face, grind time rap game fucker bang bang bang, lets go
The opening lines of the song “Can You Hear Me” by Killer Mike are reflective of his past struggles and his current successes. He attributes his winning attitude to his upbringing by his mother, who instilled in him a winning mentality from a young age. However, Killer Mike is also aware of the tough nature of life, which is not for everyone, especially for those who are deemed sinners. Despite people telling him to give up, he persevered, and now that he's up, people are trying to take it away from him.
As he continues rapping, he talks about his current challenges, including the pressure he is under to keep generating income quickly, the imminent threat that he is under, and the speed at which he has to act. Furthermore, he speaks about the Iran-Contra situation that happened in the past and alludes that the same people were profiting from selling drugs back then, as they are today in the rap industry. He also criticizes wack rappers, fake critics, and lyrical commentators, stating that they are asleep if they fail to recognize his talent. The song concludes with him expressing his anger and frustration towards the rap game and letting his listeners know that he's ready for whatever comes his way.
Overall, the lyrics of the song highlight Killer Mike's struggles, triumphs, and challenges as a musician. He talks about everything from family upbringing, past and current drug issues, and the pressure he feels from keeping up with the music industry's fast pace.
Line by Line Meaning
Is it because momma made me a winner
I wonder if my success is due to the fact that my mother raised me to be a champion.
I know that it's tough, it ain't a place for a sinner
I'm aware that life is difficult, and it's not forgiving to those who make mistakes.
They told me give up, I'm goin' hard for the Winner
Despite being told to quit, I'm giving it my all to be victorious.
but now that I'm up, they puttin taps on a nigga tryin to take it away
Now that I've achieved success, there are those who are monitoring me and trying to take it away.
While I'm gettin this cash, deep in the bundles
As I'm earning my wealth, I'm diving deeper into the drug world.
gettin it fast, tryin to do what I want to
I'm rapidly accumulating riches while attempting to pursue my goals.
they on my ass, but I'm keepin'em from you
Law enforcement is after me, but I'm shielding you from their pursuit.
1: 16 on the dash, they dont see when I come through
I'm driving so fast that the police can't even see me as I pass by.
now Iran-Contra is hauntin' you back
The government's involvement in the Iran-Contra affair is now coming back to haunt them.
now we took the crack and put it in rap
The origin of the crack epidemic can be traced back to its representation in hip-hop music.
now your kids is high off that
As a result, children are now becoming addicted to crack.
All wack rappers, sucker for lyrical commentators, fake critics, you niggas is just plain asleep if you dont notice, fuck niggas you might wake up and have duct tape over your mouth and a ski-mask in ya face
There are many untalented rappers who rely on critics to interpret their music, and they aren't aware of the danger they could be in if they don't recognize the true nature of the music industry.
grind time rap game fucker bang bang bang, lets go
It's time to get to work and make something of ourselves in the rap game.
Contributed by Charlie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joel Johnson
on Reagan
BROOOO THIS SONG IS SO GOOD! I mean, it's catchy, so true, and also Ronald Reagan was an actor, not a real factor. #BlackLivesMatter. No one should be discriminated against because of their identity.