Michael Santiago Render (born April 20, 1975), known professionally as Killer Mike, is an American rapper and actor from Atlanta, Georgia. He made his debut in 2000 on the album Stankonia by OutKast, and appeared on the Grammy-winning song "The Whole World" from their 2001 greatest hits album Big Boi and Dre Present... Outkast. Render is the founder of label Grind Time Official, which he launched through SMC Recordings and Fontana Distribution.
In December 2008, Render signed to fellow Atlanta-based rapper T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records. In 2012, he released his fifth studio album, R.A.P. Music, produced entirely by El-P. Render and El-P formed Run the Jewels in 2013; the duo have released four studio albums together.
Render is a social and political activist, focusing on subjects including social inequality, police brutality and systemic racism. He has delivered lectures at colleges, written about social justice topics for publications including Billboard, and been the subject of interviews regarding police misconduct and race relations. Render was a vocal supporter of Bernie Sanders during his 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns.
Render has appeared in films including Idlewild, Baby Driver and ATL. His documentary series Trigger Warning with Killer Mike, in which he explores issues that affect the black community in the United States, premiered on Netflix in January 2019.
Discography[]
Studio albums[]
- 2003: Monster
- 2006: I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind
- 2008: I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II
- 2011: PL3DGE
- 2012: R.A.P. Music