Killer Mike has earned more praise for MICHAEL, this time from fellow rapper Russ.
Taking stock of the past 12 months in Hip Hop, the CHOMP MC fired up his Notes app on Thursday (December 28) and shared his list of āTop 10 Rap Albums of 2023.ā
AD LOADING...
With only a hint of bias, the list was topped by Russā own Santiago LP, which arrived independently in August and received a coveted co-sign from Dr. Dre.
Outside of his own work, Russ gave the No. 2 nod to Killer Mikeās stellar solo album, while Drakeās For All the Dogs followed in third place on the list.
AD LOADING...
Larry June and The Alchemistās The Great Escape, Nicki Minajās Pink Friday 2, Travis Scottās UTOPIA and Gunnaās A Gift & A Curse also received nods.
Check out Russā full picks below.
šššš pic.twitter.com/I1VhUqjKMq
ā SANTIAGO (@russdiemon) December 28, 2023
Released in June more than a decade after Killer Mikeās last solo effort R.A.P. Music, MICHAEL was recently crowned the Best Hip Hop Album of 2023 by HipHopDX, beating out Travis Scottās UTOPIA, Nasā Magic 3, Metro Boominās Heroes & Villains and Danny Brownās Quaranta.
The project also resulted in the Run The Jewels lyricist being named our Rapper of the Year, with writer Anthony Malone pointing to how MICHAEL āexemplifies what it means to be an upper echelon MC.ā
AD LOADING...
Even Mike himself ranks MICHAEL above all else in 2023, with the Atlanta native confidently telling DX: āThis album pushed the emotions of masculinity past where rap had prior. It acknowledges women ā Black women ā that evolved me in a different way. It acknowledges addiction in a radically different way.
āSo when I say [MICHAEL is Album of the Year] I donāt say that lightly. And I donāt say that to play. Because if I didnāt, I wouldnāt say it.ā
Killer Mike could earn more plaudits at the 2024 Grammy Awards in February, where heās up for three trophies: Best Rap Album (MICHAEL), Best Rap Song (āScientists & Engineersā) and Best Rap Performance (āScientists & Engineersā).
āTo my Mother, Denise, and Grandparents: I know yāall are with our ancestors, talking to the Lord and lobbying for me!ā he wrote on Instagram while celebrating the nominations. āMiss Bettie, you and Willie Burke are gonna be proud. I promise.
AD LOADING...
āDenise aka Mommy, thank you for allowing and encouraging my love of art and music. You especially encouraged my love of Hip Hop. Lord willing, Iām gonna bring home some trophies as a tribute to yāall, baby!ā
He also thanked āall the creatives and professionals who have worked tirelessly to make this moment a realityā before signing off with: āI am humbled, honored, and grateful. #NiecysBoy #MissBettiesBabyBoy #MICHAEL.ā