Killer Mike

Michael Santiago Render, known professionally as Killer Mike, was born on April 20, 1975, in the Adamsville neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia. Raised partly by his grandparents in Collier Heights, he attended Douglass High School. Mike briefly attended Morehouse College in 1995, where he met influential producers and rapper Big Boi of OutKast. His early music career began with a feature on OutKast’s “Snappin’ & Trappin'” from the 2000 album Stankonia, and he gained further recognition with their Grammy-winning single “The Whole World” in 2001.

In 2003, Killer Mike released his debut studio album, Monster, which was critically acclaimed and peaked at number ten on the Billboard 200. His subsequent independent albums, I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind (2006) and I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II (2008), continued to build his reputation. He signed with T.I.’s Grand Hustle label and released PL3DGE (2011) before working with El-P on R.A.P. Music (2012), which was also highly praised. His sixth album, Michael (2023), earned significant acclaim and won three Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album.

Killer Mike’s collaboration with El-P led to the formation of the duo Run the Jewels in 2013. Their self-titled debut album, released for free, was followed by critically acclaimed sequels Run the Jewels 2 (2014), Run the Jewels 3 (2016), and RTJ4 (2020). These albums solidified their reputation as one of the most influential hip-hop duos. Run the Jewels also appeared on Danger Mouse’s 2017 single “Chase Me,” which earned a Grammy nomination.

Outside of music, Killer Mike has been an active social and political advocate, addressing issues such as social inequality, police brutality, and systemic racism. His activism is reflected in both his music and public speaking. He was a vocal supporter of Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2020. Mike’s docuseries Trigger Warning with Killer Mike, which premiered on Netflix in January 2019, explored social issues affecting Black Americans. He also hosts Love & Respect for PBS, which won an Emmy Award in 2022.

In addition to his music and activism, Killer Mike has ventured into business. He and his wife opened Graffitis SWAG barbershop in Atlanta in 2011, aiming to support the local community and create job opportunities. He has also been involved in the founding of Greenwood, an online bank targeting Black and Latinx communities, which has garnered substantial interest.

Killer Mike’s early career was marked by a series of collaborations and guest features, including appearances on Jay-Z’s “Poppin’ Tags” and Bone Crusher’s “Never Scared,” which became a top 40 hit. Despite delays in releasing his second album, Ghetto Extraordinary, Mike continued to build his career through independent releases and collaborations. His work with El-P not only produced successful solo projects but also led to the creation of Run the Jewels, a duo that has become a staple in contemporary hip-hop.

Through his music, activism, and business ventures, Killer Mike has established himself as a multifaceted and influential figure in the entertainment industry and beyond.