Pledging Allegiance To Killer Mike Posted by Junior

Killer Mike: 2 Sides (Featuring Shawty Lo) From: I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind, Vol. 2 [SMC, 2008] After an unexpectedly great 2007 it hasn't been a good year so far for Rap albums. Too many long awaited releases have failed to live up the hype, either by having the expectation bar set at an unachievable level (hi Lil' Wayne) or by releasing albums that felt so clumsily thrown together that it boggled the mind over what they'd been doing in the interim period (Nas, 3-6 Mafia, take a bow). However, a saviour has come for me in the shape of Killer Mike's follow up to his magnificent 2006 album I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind, crazily titled, I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind Vol. 2. While the title may suggest a lack of imagination it's actually highly appropriate as the themes covered by Mike in the first volume are continued here as he balances tracks about getting money with more introspective looks at the society he lives in. All Mike's lyrical prowess and intensity wouldn't be worth the paper he wrote it on if the production was anaemic but once again the relatively unsung producers come through in style lacing the tracks with thumping bass and heavy organ lines. It's undoubtedly the best rap album I've heard this year but if you know of any that I've been sleeping on I'd love to be educated. The album comes out today and I highly recommend picking it up as a matter of priority.