Killer Mike

Monster

Genre: Country fried

Next of kin: Field Mob, Ludacris, Trick Daddy

3 and 3/4 out of 5 stars.

Here is the problem with debuting on a single with other artists at the top of their game. No matter how hard you try, you will probably be outdone.

Despite garnering nationwide airplay, Killer Mike, an Atlanta rapper and member of central Georgia MC confederation Dungeon Family, learned firsthand how deep a double edged sword cuts when he introduced himself to mainstream America alongside Andre 3000 and Big Boi of Outkast with the bouncy summer banger “The Whole World.”

Even while dropping memorable lines and utilizing a sing-songy yet unyieldingly gruff delivery, Killer found out how hard it is to shine when the other two-thirds of the talent is blinding the audience with mega-wattage glare.

But with his new album Monster, he has no expectations to live up to except for the ones he sets himself. The final product is a lot more of the same progressive dirty south beats and alternating explicit (“Creep Show”) and heart-wrenching (“All 4 U”) prose that has become the trademark of his DF compatriots.

And in case you haven’t picked up an Outkast or Goodie Mob album, that means Monster is not to be missed.

It also doesn’t hurt when you have a wealth of cameos from Family members Boi, Slimm Calhoon and Cee-lo along with a scattered assortment of other oddballs including D-12 deadweight Bizarre who, through what was surely an act of God, does not ruin the otherwise promising song.

The first two singles, “Akshon” and more specifically “A.D.I.D.A.S,” easily outpace most of the schlock in radio rotation thanks to generating genuine pop sensibility without going soft. Meanwhile, one of the final tracks, “Dragon,” layers a hard-nosed flow with a metal riff that will force Fred Durst to wonder why he is still attempting to make music.

With the musical inbreeding of Dungeon Family records, it is almost a forgone conclusion that Killer Mike will get a second shot at holding his own with Outkast. And thanks to the success of “The Whole World,” it might be played out again on top 40 playlists. It will happen, and when it does — bring your shades.

Published on March 24, 2003 at 12:00 pm