Killer Mike’s sixth solo album, 2023’s Michael, represented a new type of prestige rap release. Released 24 years after a debut verse on an album no less auspicious than Outkast’s Stankonia, this was a veteran artist taking stock, vividly drawing the lines between the struggling kid and the grateful, repentant adult. Over slow-rolling country rap and church organs, Killer Mike spoke personally, locally and globally, rapping about grief, regret, addiction, self-sufficiency and resilience through the prism of systemic racism, his Southern rap forebears and his personal faith.
Billed as an “epilogue” to Michael, the 10-track Songs for Saints and Sinners is collection of new tracks, remixes, revisions and loosies that will likely serve as a bookend to this creative era. For the most part, this project’s through line is the keys of gospel/R&B mainstay Warryn Campbell and the members of the six-member gospel group the Mighty Midnight Revival who have been backing Mike all year as he toured theaters and festivals. “Higher Level” is a breezy, victory lap that matches Trillville’s crunk moshpit hit “Neva Eva” with soulful organ work. Album highlight “Nobody Knows” samples Pastor T.L. Barrett & The Youth For Christ Choir’s much-beloved song of the same name: Featuring Anthony Hamilton, it plays like the introspective gospel-rap of Michael but far more joyous. With Campbell playing guitar, bass and keys, the music of “Lord Prepare Me” beams as Mike details his journey: “Never would of made it/Trafficking hard/Shoulda been dead or in jail but look at me standing here praising the Lord.”
The handful of remixes and new versions of Michael tracks are less engaging but nonetheless edifying. A reworked version of “Exit 9” lies somewhere between Bruce Hornsby and D’Angelo thanks to Campbell’s warm keys and soaring a coda from Lena Byrd Miles. “Still Talk’n That Shit” features Mike re-riding the pounding DJ Paul beat of “Talk’n That Shit!” alongside Key Glock and the ever-enduring Project Pat. “Slummer 4 Junkies” reworks Michael‘s teenage love song (“Slummer”) and Michael‘s empathetic addiction song (“Something for Junkies”) and turns them into a cinematic 10-minute saga with narration from Atlanta’s Bishop Andrew Potter.
Songs for Saints and Sinners a solid piece of fan service for anyone who enjoyed watching the underground king spend the last 12 months scooping up Grammys and BET Awards. And, even with victory, there is no guaranteed end to tribulation. “Humble Me,” a song about being arrested on Grammy night itself, shows that Killer Mike’s journey — both musical and spiritual — does not end here. “I had to quiet my mind, I prayed and I prayed, and I prayed,” he raps about being detained. “The liars were lyin’ their lies, I kept on just keepin’ my faith.”
