Killer Mike has earned more praise for MICHAEL, this time from fellow rapper Russ.
Taking stock of the past 12 months in Hip Hop, the CHOMP MC fired up his Notes app on Thursday (December 28) and shared his list of “Top 10 Rap Albums of 2023.”
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With only a hint of bias, the list was topped by Russ’ own Santiago LP, which arrived independently in August and received a coveted co-sign from Dr. Dre.
Outside of his own work, Russ gave the No. 2 nod to Killer Mike’s stellar solo album, while Drake‘s For All the Dogs followed in third place on the list.
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Larry June and The Alchemist‘s The Great Escape, Nicki Minaj‘s Pink Friday 2, Travis Scott‘s UTOPIA and Gunna‘s A Gift & A Curse also received nods.
Check out Russ’ full picks below.
Released in June more than a decade after Killer Mike’s last solo effort R.A.P. Music, MICHAEL was recently crowned the Best Hip Hop Album of 2023 by HipHopDX, beating out Travis Scott’s UTOPIA, Nas’ Magic 3, Metro Boomin’s Heroes & Villains and Danny Brown’s Quaranta.
The project also resulted in the Run The Jewels lyricist being named our Rapper of the Year, with writer Anthony Malone pointing to how MICHAEL “exemplifies what it means to be an upper echelon MC.”
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Even Mike himself ranks MICHAEL above all else in 2023, with the Atlanta native confidently telling DX: “This album pushed the emotions of masculinity past where rap had prior. It acknowledges women — Black women — that evolved me in a different way. It acknowledges addiction in a radically different way.
“So when I say [MICHAEL is Album of the Year] I don’t say that lightly. And I don’t say that to play. Because if I didn’t, I wouldn’t say it.”
Killer Mike could earn more plaudits at the 2024 Grammy Awards in February, where he’s up for three trophies: Best Rap Album (MICHAEL), Best Rap Song (“Scientists & Engineers”) and Best Rap Performance (“Scientists & Engineers”).
“To my Mother, Denise, and Grandparents: I know y’all are with our ancestors, talking to the Lord and lobbying for me!” he wrote on Instagram while celebrating the nominations. “Miss Bettie, you and Willie Burke are gonna be proud. I promise.
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“Denise aka Mommy, thank you for allowing and encouraging my love of art and music. You especially encouraged my love of Hip Hop. Lord willing, I’m gonna bring home some trophies as a tribute to y’all, baby!”
He also thanked “all the creatives and professionals who have worked tirelessly to make this moment a reality” before signing off with: “I am humbled, honored, and grateful. #NiecysBoy #MissBettiesBabyBoy #MICHAEL.”
