Killer Mike has joined forces with both André 3000 and Future on a song from his upcoming album.
On Monday (April 17), the Run The Jewels representative held a listening party in New York for his anticipated solo effort Michael. The event was held inside a church, which is likely a nod to Mike’s southern roots.
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3 Stacks and Hendrix appear on a track called “Scientists & Engineers,” footage of which was captured by an attendee and uploaded to YouTube. The Dungeon Family duo previously linked up on “Benz Friends” back in 2014.
As soon as the song starts, a choir can be heard harmonizing over arpeggiated synths with Future’s melodic tone weaving through the intro as well, paving the way for a rare guest verse from André 3000.
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“All I know is when the portrait is painted better have your portion of the rent/ A dollar more and you will get upgraded when you think you’ve made it you are then/ Just tolerated, overrated, hope I’m 80 when I get my second wind,” the OutKast lyricist spits in his signature nimble flow over the infectious track.
After a raspy, braggadocios verse from Future, Killer Mike closes out the heavyweight Atlanta collaboration by rapping: “Man, I’m a villain with children/ So I’m never chillin’, I gotta make millions/ I used to be dope with the dealin’, but that got a ceiling/ And we know the usual illin.'”
Listen to a preview of the song below:
According to a hymn sheet-style pamphlet which guests were given, Michael is described as “the most comprehensively autobiographical work [Killer Mike has] presented to date, musically and personally.”
Veteran music journalist Noah Callahan-Bever had particularly high praise for the project, comparing to some of the most classic albums in Hip Hop.
“MICHAEL is one hell of an album,” Callahan-Bever wrote on Instagram. “If you enjoyed [JAY-Z’s] The Blueprint, [UGK’s] Ridin’ Dirty, and [OutKast’s] Aquemini, this one’s for you. Said without gas or hyperbole.”
Killer Mike previously held a listening party for Michael in Austin, Texas during SXSW last month.
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According to those who attended, the album takes listeners on a “journey” through Mike’s life and also features fellow rap legend Lil Wayne, as well as his comedy friend Dave Chappelle.
Michael will serve as Killer Mike’s first solo album in over a decade following 2012’s R.A.P. Music, which boasted appearances from Big Boi, T.I., the late Trouble and others.
