Killer Mike: “Don’t Let the Devil” [ft. El-P and Thankugoodsir] Track Review

“Don’t Let the Devil,” which accompanies the announcement of Killer Mike’s first solo album in over a decade, Michael, bangs like a swift kick to the temple. Mike raps with a renewed vigor, his smooth baritone punching his way though El-P, No I.D., and Little Shalimar’s soaring vocal samples and shuffling drum claps. “Watch the world go to Hell as I’m laughin’, sayin’ ‘It’s perfect!’/Catch me after Sunday service disturbin’ the church’s workers,” he raps, indulging his delinquent side as he vows to tell off deacons and get higher than a satellite. At its core, this song moves like a Run The Jewels song, channeling the attitude and sample-backed madness of their debut project or DJ Shadow collaboration “Nobody Speak.” Some of Mike’s phrasing is awkward—like when he calls a fling a “perfect pervert”—but few rappers working today can face a world on fire and come away with this much energy to burn.