But that music has been noncommittal about his actual theology.
Faith, in fact, is the undertone in much of his music, which often thinks of Mike as a vessel for God in one sense or another, as "R.A.P. Plenty of rappers aren't scrutinized for what they represent outside of their music, but Mike is zealous expressing his ideas and dogmatic in their defense, not unlike most preacher men. Mike has cut a particularly controversial figure as he's transitioned from Dungeon Family member to half of the crossover duo Run the Jewels.
How he has fared on that mission might depend on who you ask. After comparing his music to various holy hallmarks - gospel music, church, calling it "player Pentecostal" - he offers his career up on the altar as a sacrifice despite his sin: "So I pray to the Lord He spare me, and I make it by and by / And I help souls stay out of Hell with what I testify / And maybe when I grab that microphone and never lie / That'll merit that He spare me, I won't have to feel that fire." It is a telling arrangement for the artist, the opposite of a Faustian bargain, where he keeps his soul in exchange for spreading the good word. It's more a confession: that his spirituality is not only unconventional, but profane. Rap music is my religion." The intent in his voice doesn't read as blasphemy. "Closest I've ever come to seeing or feeling God is listening to rap music. "I've never really had a religious experience, in a religious place," the Atlanta rapper Killer Mike says to begin the title track of his 2012 album, R.A.P. Michael is Killer Mike's first solo album since 2012, after over a decade of focusing on his duo Run the Jewels.
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