Michael Santiago Render, better known by his stage name
Killer Mike, is an American rapper and activist. He made his recording debut on Outkast's fourth album
Stankonia (2000), and later appeared on their Grammy Award-winning single "The Whole World" from their greatest hits album
Big Boi and Dre Present... Outkast (2001). He signed with Big Boi's Purple Ribbon Records and Columbia Records to release his debut studio album
Monster (2003), which received critical acclaim and peaked at number ten on the
Billboard 200. He followed up with the independent albums
I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind (2006) and
I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II (2008); he then signed with T.I.'s Grand Hustle to release his fourth album
Pledge (2011), and later Williams Street Records to release his fifth album,
R.A.P. Music (2012). His sixth album,
Michael (2023) was met with continued acclaim and won three awards at 66th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album.