Songs for Sinners & Saints
| Songs for Sinners & Saints | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 2, 2024 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 39:26 | |||
| Label |
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| Producer |
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| Killer Mike chronology | ||||
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Songs for Sinners & Saints (released as Michael & the Mighty Midnight Revival, Songs for Sinners and Saints) is the seventh studio album by American rapper Killer Mike. It was released in collaboration with his gospel choir, The Mighty Midnight Revival, composed of Lena Byrd Miles, Alicia Peters-Jordan, Jori, Adonica Nunn, Jordan Alyssa and Troy Durden.
A follow-up to Michael, it was released on August 2, 2024. It has 10 songs, and contains guest appearances from Offset, Blxst, Anthony Hamilton, Key Glock and Project Pat.
Background
[edit]On June 30, 2024, Killer Mike released the first single, "Humble Me", which details his arrest at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. He later announced Songs for Sinners & Saints on July 29, 2024, for release on August 2.[1][2]
The song "Slummer 4 Junkies" is a rework of two songs from Michael, "Slummer" and "Something for Junkies",[3][4] and interpolated "Everyday People" by Sly and the Family Stone.[5] The song "Exit 9 (Scenic Route)" is a rework of the Michael song "Exit 9" and is a tribute to Rico Wade, who died in April 2024.[6] The song "Still Talk'n That Shit" is a rework of the Michael song "Talk'n That Shit", and is about Killer Mike's haters. Lyrically, the album is based on Killer Mike's time in church.[7]
Before the release, Killer Mike performed at the Blue Note Jazz Club nightly, from July 29 to 31. The final show featured El-P, his partner in Run the Jewels.[8] Afterwards, he released the album for free download until August 2.[9][10]
Reception
[edit]| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 71/100[11] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 8/10 |
| Kitty Empire and The Guardian |   |
The album received mostly positive review from Rolling Stone, which said: "Songs for Saints and Sinners a solid piece of fan service for anyone who enjoyed watching the underground king spend the last 12 months scooping up Grammys and BET Awards".[12] Clash rated the album an 8/10, saying: "Killer Mike offers up more bravura creativity right at the finish line. 'Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival: Songs For Sinners And Saints' may be unwieldy, but its inviting, and has so much to explore".[13] Kitty Empire of The Guardian rated the album 4 out of 5 stars.[5]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bussin Bricks Intro" |
| Cutmaster Swiff | 1:36 |
| 2. | "Nobody Knows" (with Anthony Hamilton) |
| Cutmaster Swiff | 3:06 |
| 3. | "Humble Me" |
|
| 2:57 |
| 4. | "Higher Level" |
|
| 3:50 |
| 5. | "Exit 9 (Scenic Route)" (with Offset and Blxst) |
|
| 3:38 |
| 6. | "Lord Prepare Me" (with Belly Gang Cushington featuring Jane Handcock and Adonica Nunn) |
|
| 5:31 |
| 7. | "Slummer 4 Junkies" |
| 10:20 | |
| 8. | "Had to Go Get It" (with Troy Durden) |
|
| 2:02 |
| 9. | "'97 3-6 Freestyle" |
|
| 3:25 |
| 10. | "Still Talk'n That Shit" (with Key Glock and Project Pat) |
|
| 3:01 |
| Total length: | 39:26 | |||
Note
- ^[m] signifies a music producer
Samples
- "Nobody Knows" contains an interpolation of "Nobody Knows (Ladas Road)" by Loyle Carner.[13]
Personnel
[edit]Michael & the Midnight Revival
- Killer Mike – vocals
- Adonica Nunn – additional vocals (tracks 4, 7), vocals (6)
- Jori Nunn – additional vocals (tracks 4, 7)
- Troy Durden – additional vocals (tracks 5, 7), vocals (8)
- Lena Byrd Miles – additional vocals (tracks 5, 7)
- Alicia Peters-Jordan – additional vocals (track 7)
- Jordan Alyssa – additional vocals (track 7)
Additional musicians
- Anthony Hamilton – vocals (track 2)
- Warryn Campbell – keyboards (tracks 3–9); bass guitar, guitar (5–8)
- Blxst – vocals (track 5)
- Offset – vocals (track 5)
- Belly Gang Kushington – vocals (track 6)
- Jane Handcock – vocals (track 6)
- Jarae – vocals (track 6)
- Bishop Andrew Potter – voice (track 7)
- Key Glock – vocals (track 10)
- Project Pat – vocals (track 10)
Technical
- Nicolas De Porcel – mastering
- David Yungin Kim – mixing (tracks 1, 2, 7, 10)
- Migui Maloles – mixing (tracks 3–6, 8, 9)
- Teddrick Palmer – engineering (tracks 1, 2)
- "Greazy" Wil Anspach – engineering (tracks 2–10)
- Tanner "Treedot" Ott – engineering (tracks 2–8, 10)
- Elliot Carter – engineering (tracks 2, 6)
- Ira "Mixit I.P." Parker – engineering (track 2)
- Chris Kahn – engineering (track 3)
- Tucker Andrew – engineering (tracks 4–8)
- Tyler Shields – engineering (tracks 4–6, 8)
- Ryan DeRemer – engineering (tracks 5–8)
- Jay Flemming – engineering (tracks 5, 7)
- Franklin "Staxx" Palacios – engineering (track 6)
- Kayo Engineering – engineering (track 6)
- Jermaine Johnson – engineering (track 10)
- Peezymane – engineering (track 10)
- Adam Pena – mixing assistance (tracks 3–6, 8, 9)
References
[edit]- ^ Monroe, Jazz (July 29, 2024). "Killer Mike Announces New Project Songs for Sinners & Saints, Out Friday". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ Paul, Larisha (July 29, 2024). "Killer Mike Will Close 'Michael' Album Era With 'Songs for Sinners & Saints'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Killer Mike Announces 'Michael' Epilogue 'Songs for Sinners & Saints'". Spin. July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Killer Mike to Drop 'Songs for Sinners & Saints' this Friday". Hypebeast. July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Empire, Kitty (August 3, 2024). "Killer Mike: Michael & the Mighty Midnight Revival: Songs for Sinners and Saints review – hard-won life lessons". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
- ^ Andrews, Elias (August 2, 2024). "Killer Mike Examines His Faith On "Songs For Sinners & Saints" Album". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ "Killer Mike Drops 'Epilogue' Album 'Songs for Sinners & Saints'". Hypebeast. August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
- ^ Sacher, Andrew (July 29, 2024). "Killer Mike releasing new project 'Songs for Sinners & Saints' this week, livestreaming Blue Note show with El-P". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ Aubrey, Elizabeth (July 31, 2024). "You have 48 hours to download Killer Mike's surprise new album 'Songs for Sinners & Saints' for free". NME. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ "Download Killer Mike's New Album For Free". Stereogum. July 31, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ " Killer Mike Michael & the Mighty Midnight Revival: Songs for Sinners and Saints by Killer Mike Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ Weingarten, Christopher R. (August 1, 2024). "Killer Mike Preaches to the Choir on 'Songs for Saints and Sinners'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ a b Murray, Robin (August 2, 2024). "Killer Mike – Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival: Songs For Sinners And Saints | Reviews". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
