Killer Mike has revealed the motivating factor in his life that led him to seek out a therapist, something he credits with making him a better man.
In a new interview with NPR published on Wednesday (August 7), the Atlanta native revealed that the pressures of his professional life led to personal repercussions that he eventually couldn’t handle on his own.
“This is overwhelming: fame and money,” Mike began. “And most people get fame without the money, but this shit is just overwhelming. I hadn’t grieved my mother. I hadn’t taken a rest from the road in a decade. I held a tremendous amount of guilt from not being able to be a heavier part of my first three children’s lives because I was on the road so much.
“You need somewhere to make sense of it all. So my wife found a Black woman therapist and she’s absolutely amazing. And I’ve been better for it. I’m not one of those that got to go every week. I’m still my grandfather’s grandson. Some shit, as a man, you just gotta go figure out. Go cut the goddamn grass and think. The answer will come to you (laughs). But I will say, talking to a Black woman who understands alternative thinking and the artist’s mind, it’s been a great thing for me.”
The NPR conversation is part of Killer Mike’s current press run in support of his latest album, Songs For Sinners & Saints, a 10-track collaboration with his band The Mighty Midnight Revival.
The rapper announced his second album in as many years on July 29, just five days ahead of the project’s August 2 release date.
“I had a year to live with MICHAEL, and I realized I had more I wanted to do with this sound before moving on,” Mike said in a press release.
“For me, this is a testimonial. When I was growing up, an important part of church service was people having the opportunity to stand up and give public testimony on their trials, tribulations, and triumphs.”
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He added: “After the celebratory atmosphere that followed MICHAEL, I was reminded that tribulations never cease, but God is always with me and this is a testimonial of my tumultuous times, my trials, and my continued triumph in spite of doubt, outright hate, and fear.
“I am here to speak to and with my fellow sinners and Saints.”
Joining Killer Mike on Songs For Sinners & Saints are fellow Southern Hip Hop stalwarts Offset, Project Pat and Key Glock, as well as soul slingers Blxst, Anthony Hamilton and Death Row Records signee Jane Handcock.
