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 A tremendous debut by one of rap's most talented artists Sep 22, 2008
Like most of us, the first time I heard Killer Mike was on "The Whole World" by Outkast. I gotta admit, he just blew me right away, tearing the whole song appart and most definitely outshining Big Boi and Andre 3000 on their own track!... something about his ruthless and raw delivery, combined with strong and clever lyrics showed me that Killer Mike is a true star. And indeed, on his debut album, Killer Mike showed that he's one of rap upcomming superstars (to me, he's even the city's BEST rapper. Yes, I'd take him over Outkast, TI, Ludacris and everyone from the ATL without thinking twice about it). Like I already said, his flow and agressive delivery, and his thought provoking and intelligent lyrics remind me very much of early 90's Ice Cube. On "Monster" Killer Mike comes out hungry with a lot to say. He's very much like Chamillionaire - an awesome lyricist, with a lot to say, yet he maintains some mainstream appeal. One of the things that stand out on "Monster" is that every song is about something, meaning that he touches a lot of topics. There are no songs about cars, rolexes and money - Killer Mike's just a real cat, who raps about his life, his experiences, his thoughtm and various subjects in life. On the first 2 songs (excluding the intro) - the title track and the album's 1st single "Akshon" Killer Mike introduces himself to the rap game, coming out with some hard hitting lyrics over banging beats. On "Rap Is Dead" he adresses the current state of hip hop. On "Straight Scared" Killer Mike shows his great story-telling abilities, telling a story about drug life and getting caught. On "Niecy's Song" he raps about women and their struggles in life, and how he appreciates them (pretty much like Pac did on "Keep yo head up"). The album's best known song is the 2nd single "ADIDAS" which is a rare fun song, about sex, having fun and it's just a feel good song, with some hillarious lyrics. "Freak Show" has some potential and it's a good song, but somehow it was not impressive like the previous ones. Nevertheless, the record continues with a couple of brilliant songs - "You Know I love You" (produced by Andre 3000) is an amazing song where Mike raps with a lot of emotion about the troubled yet strong relashionship with his girlfriend. On "Home of the Brave" Mike (feat. Slim Calhunn) reps the state of Georgia over the albums hardest (and best) beat (the bass on it will make the ground shake, I promise you). "Live" is the only weak song on the album, because of the wack and unfinished beat. "Blow" is another great song, with a hard beat, and some nice street lyrics by Killer Mike. "Sex Drugs and Rock N Roll" is a nice song, but nothing breathtaking. "Dragon" is another unique song, where Killer Mike spills his heart out, rapping about his friend getting killer, and deaths on the streets overall... "Akshon" remix (feat. Lil Jon, TI, and Bun B) is a nice song, but the beat on it is jist like another crunk song by Lil Jon some I wasn't impressed. The hidden track (#30) was ok, but I wasn't feeling that hard rock beat they used on it. All through the album, the production is great (handled by Andre 3000, Beat Bullies, Cool and Dre, and a few others), and each song sound different. Killer Mike is an extremely talented and creative rapper and his style is different than anyone else, especially from Atlanta. He's not afraid to speak about everything on his mind, he shares his feelings, thoughts and deepest emotions with us, and his charisma is undeniable. Combined with his supreme lyricism, you know that Killer Mike will be a force in the rap game for many years. While not perfect (because of 2 or 3 mediocre songs), this album is still a true classic, and one of rap's best debut albums.
it was pretty good Mar 06, 2007
Its worth buying, killer mike has good lyrics its too bad, cus the cd could have had better beats
stand out tracks
1:Re-Akshon
2:Akson
3:Creep Show
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Great debut from a talented, original MC Dec 07, 2006
OutKast's protege Killer Mike finally released his debut album in 2003, the very underrated and entertaining "Monster." Mike is a really unique rapper, and I became a fan following his guest appearances on various OutKast songs. This album is a really cool release, Mike shows that he can more than hold his own on the solo tip and is a multi-layered, complex character rather than just a guest artist. Mike has lots of moods to watch evolve as he raps on "Monster." He goes from depressed to emotional to angry to happy to silly over the span of a few tracks. He can rap in a style of disturbing horrorcore but is also capable of making a deep and intelligent song too. His bellowing delivery is consistently solid, and he explores a lot of themes in his raps. The production is very strong, obviously very well funded. The music fits the mood of his rapping, and there are rock guitars, heavy horns, deep bass, hard beats, and good instrumentals on lots of the tracks. Killer Mike is also more into the crunk southern rap style than OutKast is, so that influence is often felt throughout the album as well. I think Mike is one of the best rappers in the south, certainly one of the most interesting characters, and his debut "Monster" is really cool to listen to.
After a very good intro, the album begins with the well-produced title track, with a great musical backing and tough raps from Killer. "Akshon (Yeah!)" is the first highlight, an OutKast assisted banger with a hard-hitting, bouncing beat and call-and-response yells. He addresses the state of hip hop on "Rap Is Dead," and "Scared Straight" speaks of urban depression with great verses. My favorite song on the disc is "All 4 U (Niecy's Song)," a truly heartfelt and emotional song for a certain woman in his life, the beat is very dramatic and uses a great sped-up sample. Another awesome song follows, the happy and funky "A.D.I.D.A.S.," which features Big Boi and Sleepy Brown. The verses are each very funny, Sleepy's hook always makes me sing along, and the content matter is real and humorous. The beat is very catchy too. "Creep Show" is an aptly-titled collaboration with D12's Bizarre, they spin obscure rhymes over a nice horn-driven beat. On "U Know I Love You," singer J-Sweet drops by to sing a soulful hook, I really like this track. "Home of the Brave" is an ode to Mike's hometown of Atlanta, a great crunk-influenced club banger with a good hook. "L.I.V.E." is okay but kind of slow-moving, but the heavy-crunk "Blow (Get Down)" is very enjoyable. "Sex, Drugs, Rap & Roll" is an excellent song with a heavily rock-influenced beat, and the Fass Black collaboration "Dragon" is a very unique track. The "Re-Akshon Remix" features southern heavyweights Lil' Jon, Bun B, and T.I. and turns the original "Akshon" into a hard-hitting club track. The bonus track at the end is also good, more vintage Killer Mike.
"Monster" is a great listen that I highly recommend to fans of OutKast, southern rap, and good lyrical and musical hip hop. Killer Mike may not appeal to everyone but he is a great talent and character, and his debut album displays this well. I am excited to hear more material from Killer Mike and eagerly await his next solo release. Until then, I suggest listeners pick up "Monster."
0 of 3 found the following review helpful:
After this album, the next will be even better (4 stars) Jul 09, 2005
I couldn't pass this cd up because of the price of $, and I knew coming from the Outkast camp that Killer Mike's "Monster" would be a good album. On other reviews though, people praise some of is songs that aren't even good, and they pass up the ones that are really good. So here is a breakdown of this album.
1) Monster (intro) - I always skip intros
2) Monster - Nice way to start the album. Beat could have been better, lyrics on point. 6/10
3) AKshun (Yeah!) - Great beat and lyrics, one of the best on the album. 7.5/10
4) Rap is Dead - Great lyrics, beat could have been better. 6.5/10
5) Scared Straight - Great lyrics, okay beat. 6/10
6) All 4 U (Niecy's Song) - Great lyrics, this beat should have been better because of it's
"Cold as Ice" formula. 6.5/10
7) A.D.I.D.A.S - Great lyrics, suprisingly good beat for the single. 7.5/10
8) Creep Show - Great lyrics, but with Bizarre on this song the bea should have been ALOT better. I wanted to like this track a whole lot more because of the Killer Mike/Bizarre collabo. 6/10
9) U Know I Love U - Terrible, not even the lyrics saved this one. Skip it. 3/10
10) Home of The Brave - Great lyrics and beat. 8/10
11) L.I.V.E. - Please skip this song. - 3/10
12) Blow (Get Down) - THE BEST SONG on this album, you're gonna wanna play it over alot. 9.5/10
13) Sex, Drugs, Rap & Roll - Great lyrics and beat. 8.5/10
14) Dragon - One of the better dedication songs that isn't so commercialized. Fass Black's verse is killer over the start of Jazzy Pha's beat. Great beat & lyrics. 9/10
15) Re-AKshun Remix - Couldn't be any better featuring Bun-B and suprisingly T.I., with Bone Crusher on the hook.
Great beat & lyrics.
30) [hidden track] - Great lyrics, okay Cypress Hill-like beat. 6.5/10
The only way to improve this album is with better beats and organization of tracks, cause have to skip over and go back to get to all the tight tracks.
*** I reviewed this in 2003, but I'm just sendin' it in under this new name.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Killer Mike- Monster Jul 07, 2005
Being an Outkast fan led me to checking out Killer Mike's debut album "Monster" (2003). Killer's distinctive flow had stood out for me when he has appeared on Outkast tracks (IE Flip-Flop Rock, Whole Wide World). Killer rhymes with some hunger on the title track "Monster", then flows fast on "Akson Yeah". Killer Mike drops his thoughts the current state of Hip Hop with "Rap Is Dead" and puts some heart into "All 4 U" (Niecy's Song), delivering some on point rhymes. Outkast's Big Boi collabs with Killer on the laidback single "A.D.D.I.D.A.S.". Singer J Sweet drops a smooth chorus for "U Know I Love You", while Killer Mike talks to a lady. The album hits a lull for me at this point as some forgettable tracks, with lackluster guest appearances follow. Fass Black and Killer pick things up again with "Dragon". "Monster" is a decent first effort and has some standout tracks; it also has a fair amount of filler- similar sounding tracks that one can easily skip over. I feel like Killer Mike will either need to step it up more on future releases or remain a support artist.
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