Recently, HipHopDX attended an Atlanta listening session for Killer Mike’s (a/k/a Mike Bigga) latest album, PL3DGE. Talking about the work, due on April 19 through Grind Time/SMC/Grand Hustle, is motioning with his hands, explaining points of reference, cracking a smile after each statement. Today, PL3DGE is done, receiving the final touch-ups and Mike Bigga is the picture of self assurance. “On a personal level,” he says, “It’s a goal accomplished, we set out… I didn’t allow myself to read the blogs [after I left Purple Ribbon Records]. I left at a time when if I’d have read the comments, I’d have given up.”
Mike acknowledges that the time away from longtime friend and mentor Big Boi was needed, for him to learn and grow from situations as an individual, as well as giving him room to create music as he wanted. “The comments went from, ‘Oh, he’s never gonna be able to do it, he’s crazy.’ to -over a couple of years- ‘Well, I still feel like he shouldn’t have left the way he did, the music still jamming, but they need to get back together,’ to boom, fast forward now, me and Big back in the studio together, he’s on this album. So it’s really a confirmation that although the fallout was bad on the other side of it, it’s redemptive… Our friendship’s been redeemed and a lot of times young black men in the Hip Hop industry don’t get to see that.”
The third installment of his Pledge Allegiance To The Grind series thematically falls in line with the first two: it’s chockfull of deep thoughts over banging beats.
“That’s Life Part 2” epitomizes political angst, urging Oprah and Bill Cosby: “Don’t forget your color, we still slaves…” There’s one bar in particular that may catch a bit of controversy where Mike compares Diddy’s money to investor Warren Buffett’s bank account. After breaking the lyrics down, he says with a grin, that he already has a letter ready, if and when that line is blown out of proportion.
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The song “So Glorious” is a bit lighter, but only in that it doesn’t cover socioeconomic woes; It’s Hip Hop-based, featuring ‘I’m doper than you’ bravado and thumping production (from the Grindtime production team, Smiff & Cash).
“Glorious” starts the album off, setting the energy level at ‘high’ from the beginning. Excellent wordplay and aggressive execution makes it an instant favorite.
“Ric Flair” has big drum patterns and ultra-arrogant lines from the ‘80s wrestler serving as the hook. The lyrics are delectably obnoxious and self-indulgent. When asked about the song’s concept, Mike replies, laughing, “I can’t explain ‘Ric.’ It’s an experience. People need it in their life. It’s like asking a Blues-man to explain the blues.”
“Go Out On The Town” expands Grind Time Gang’s brand. Young Jeezy is featured on the club cut and it has that signature Atlanta sound- heavy basslines and persistent hi-hats.
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PL3DGE is scheduled for April 19 release on Grind Time/SMC/Grand Hustle Records.
