A capacity crowd of 200 gathered Wednesday night for a unique church adjacent experience. As Michael Render aka Killer Mike, put it, “Tonight is jazz, funk, soul gospel... Playa Pentecostal.” Fresh off his three-time Grammy-winning solo album "Michael," Render brought the Midnight Revival tour to New York City for a three-night, six-performance run at the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club.

Killer Mike was backed by the angelic “Mighty Midnight Revival,” featuring a five-person choir with incredible range, an organist, and DJ Trackstar, all clad in white with hand fans at the ready. Each voice in the Revival choir was uniquely powerful and jaw dropping. Mike made sure to properly introduce each vocalist and give them a moment to show off their technical prowess. With sustained, concentrated breaths, Mike tore through tracks like "DOWN BY LAW," "SHED TEARS," and "RUN." His ability to harness gusto and zeal while remaining laser-focused on the profound depth of his lyrics is a rare gift. This impressive lyricism is one reason Render is finally receiving his proverbial flowers after more than thirty years in hip-hop.

Coming up in Atlanta with the Dungeon Family Crew’s best-known export, Outkast, Killer Mike found early success with a Grammy win for his feature on Outkast’s "The Whole World" in 2003. For the last ten years, Mike has found growing success as one half of the rap duo Run The Jewels. Before "Michael," Killer Mike hadn't released a solo album since 2012's "R.A.P. Music." In between music projects, Render has been known to hit the campaign trail, in support of social justice issues, most notably in support of Bernie Sanders during the 2016 and 2020 primaries.

It’s fascinating to watch a man who has experienced so much in life seamlessly cycle from humbled stoicism on tracks like "SLUMMER" and "MOTHERLESS" to bombastic gravitas on certified bangers like "Kill Jill" and Bone Crusher’s hood classic "Never Scared." To understand the importance of the past while having fun in the present and staying hopeful for a better tomorrow is no easy feat, especially for someone who began life dealing drugs to make ends meet.

“They call it adolescence, ‘cause we learnin’ adult lessons,” Mike reminds us in "SLUMMER." Choosing to be fully vulnerable with his audience, Mike made sure that the food on the tables around Blue Note played second fiddle to the rousing and spiritual stage show. In "MOTHERLESS," Mike shared the pain of being raised by his grandparents after his 15-year-old mother had the wisdom to know she was not ready for parenthood. Mike also regaled us with the fond memory of telling his elementary school teacher he wanted to literally be WWF superstar Rick Flair when he grows up, before launching into the aptly named banger “RICK FLAIR.”

Splicing politics with meaningful personal mementos made the performance a finely polished  exposé on Michael Render. In 90 minutes, Killer Mike brought the head and the heart of a church service to New York City without preaching God, only preaching the power of people. Check out Killer Mike’s latest release, “Songs for Saints & Sinners,” on all major streaming platforms.

Review & Photos by: Jay Bartell

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