Killer Mike: I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II

Killer Mike: I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II I Pledge Alliance To The Grind II is Killer Mike's third solo album. Killer Mike has come a long way since his debut on Outkast's Stankonia in 2000. He quit Big Boi's Purple Ribbon clique, stating Purple Ribbon was the "Clippers" and Killer Mike wanted to join the "Lakers". Since then he started Grind Time Rap Gang. He quickly has become one of the most respected rap artists due to his brash socio-political lyrics. I Pledge Alliance To The Grind II features guest spots by Shawty Lo, Ice Cube, Chamillionaire, 8 Ball, and MJG. A couple of tracks on the album see Killer Mike take a turn for the mainstream. "2 Sides" features Shawty Lo and has already garnered serious radio play. "Woke Up This Mornin'" sees Killer Mike spit the most typical rap lyrics of his career. His beats also suffer on this album. "I'm the Shit" utilizes a hard rock sample to make some sort of updated Run-DMC beat. "I Gotcha" awkwardly samples the Joe Tex song of the same name. Lyrically these songs are pretty good, but they could use better beats. In the end, Killer Mike is definitely one of the best rappers out there. He's finally getting the respect he deserves. I just hope with new found success, he'll get some better beats. Maybe a Kanye beat?!? Rating: 7.2/10 MP3: Killer Mike "Can You Hear Me?" Buy: iTunes, Insound