CeeLo Green was such a great addition to this opening track. Killer Mike erupts onto his self-titled album with the energy that sets the tone for where this album is going. If something needs said, Michael is going to discuss it. 

This track also features Mozzy (big fan). The song carries the feel of the last with the gospel sound that this album is building on. Mozzy's verse is well placed and blends great with Mike's. "I shed tears, every morning in the bathroom mirror, face to face with fate, had to face my fears". He goes on to say "I'm the reason that I fail". 

The track carries the theme of realizing that while we might shed tears, with some self-awareness we can come to terms with what we can and cannot control and move accordingly. 

An opening monologue from Dave Chappelle graces the intro of RUN. Mike's viscerale sound pairs so well with Young Thug's vocals. Even though this song has a great vibe to it, it once again highlights the reality of life and that the only real option is to keep running. 

These instrumentals have been amazing and this song is no different. What I love the most about this instrumental is that it does not take away from the content and what Michael is saying. I recommend everyone to listen to this at least once with the lyrics on. Eryn Allen Kane and 6LACK add a great soft touch and grace this piano laced beat with something that just fits.

As if the title did not set the tone, Mike kicks off the track addressing much of what people may or may not have said about him of recent if you followed the online space. For those out of the know, Michael is an outspoken member of his community and whenever you stick your neck out for or against anything, someone is going to have an opinion regardless of what is being done. 

This track embodies why I love hip-hop.. if you feel it, say it on a track. Then about half way through he switches the tempo and beat and flows to a close. A beautifully authentic track that closes with "cause they only make these in Atlanta". 

Featuring Jagged Edge (how perfect of a pairing that my fellow 90s r&b babies are sure to love). Slummer tells the story of teenage love and during the 4 minute+ track Michael teaches a masterclass on storytelling in hip-hop.

The idea of mixing Future with Andre 3000 over a sublte-synth-laden gospel sounding hip-hop instrumental.. sign me up for an album of that (not trying to add to the rumor fuel). 

Then Future does what Future does and chimes in with vocals that speed things up a bit, adds in some more bass and builds beautifully on the vibe that 3000 started. 

By the time that Mike gets involved he breaks in at a feverish pace and holds his own. Not to be outdone, he switches up flows, touches on several topics and finally throws the alley-oop back to Future for the close of my favorite track on the album.

"Now I only go to churches where they welcome worthless men". If you can unpack that lyrics on your own, you can grasp the topic being covered in this song. Ty Dolla $ign adds vocals to this song that covers a gambit of topics that most radio rappers today steer away from meaning. They may write it, but you can tell Michael is standing up for his beliefs on this track.

Curren$y, 2 Chainz & Kaash Paige grace a track that feels like church in a hovercraft with. Curren$y opens the track with his typical vibe that sets the tone and glides as usual. 2 Chainz verse hits like his MERCY verse, enough said. Kaash Paige's accompanying vocals add a detail that I think would feel incomplete without. Spaceship Views is another top track for me.

The Blxst assisted track Exit 9 is gorgeously produced. You know that feeling of taking a long drive to somewhere and you finally see the exit you are supposed to get off and you are almost to your destination? That is the feeling this track embodies. A smooth ride driven by Killer Mike's storytelling assisted by a Blxst's as-usual melodic touch that rounds out the track. 

The depth of this track, both in sound and topic, is worth noting. To anyone out there that has personally been an addict, or has known an addict, the content of the lyrics and story shared by Michael is something heavy to unpack. 

What hit me the most was a line later in the song about "treating his auntie junkie like a human". It's easy to look down on people, it would be even easier for someone who has become as successful as Michael, but the message he pushes in this song is one we all need to hear.

Listener beware. If you have ever lost a mother, a grandmother, etc, this song is going to feel heavy. Michael's ability to storytell throughout this album has been impeccable but this song hits a chord. 

Not because I have lost my mother, but because I can empathize with what that would feel like. And I can only do that because of the beauty of this song, of Michael's passion and the beautiful accompanying vocals from Eryn Allen Kane. 

Accompanies by fellow RUN THE JEWELS member El-P, Killer Mike and El-P both come out swinging on this track. Both verses are fire in the booth level deliveries over a beat that holds the pace but does not overpower either emcee.

After the heavy nature of the last track, this track feels like an energy shift that was needed as we get ready to close out this album.

An almost 5 minute track to close this album could have felt overbearing. Not with Ty Dolla $ign on the chorus and another set of verses from Mike like this. So much of this album has been a "look in the mirror" meets a "sharing the gospel". This track is a great embodiment of both placed over a smooth instrumental.