Killer Mike in the Lion’s Den: Rapper Recounts Grammys Arrest in New Song ‘Humble Me’
Just a few days after it was announced that Killer Mike would not face any charges over his arrest at the 2024 Grammys, the rapper dropped a new song, “Humble Me,” detailing his detainment.
In the second verse of the track, Killer Mike recounts the experience, which occurred the same night he won Grammys for Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Album, and Best Rap Song. “Swept up like a janitor, got sent to the slammer, bruh,” Mike raps, “Treat me like an animal, or some kind of Hannibal.” Later, he rhymes: “Behind me Satan/I walk out the door, my head up, in handcuffs, with pride/Cause all of my heroes wore handcuffs, the FBI shot some of them and they died.”
More from Rolling Stone
Rico Wade, Producer With Atlanta's Pioneering Organized Noize, Dead at 52
Killer Mike Recalls How He 'Just Prayed' After Grammys Arrest on 'The Daily Show'
In a statement, Killer Mike said the day after his wins and arrest, he was back at work in the studio. “I’m as inspired as ever, and I’m just following the music at this point,” he continued. “All my heroes have been cuffed and mishandled in some way. I just thanked God in that moment of being Daniel in the lion’s den.”
Mike went on to note how his Grammys experience quickly dovetailed with another major moment in his life: The news that a kidney donor had been found for his son Pony Boy. “I came out of the jailhouse in the pouring rain to my wife waiting for me, lit a joint, celebrated a bit, and then woke up and got the news about my son’s kidney. I believe that humility and worship granted me God’s grace in the face of that test, and I believe my son receiving his kidney was a blessing from God.”
During the Feb. 4 Grammys incident, Mike (real name Michael Render) allegedly encountered a female security guard who asked for Render’s tickets and directed him to a security checkpoint. Sources told Rolling Stone at the time that the security guard claimed Render tried to go around her, and when she “ran around and got in front of him again,” he allegedly “pushed her to the ground.”
Render was arrested on a misdemeanor battery charge, booked, processed, and released. Last week, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office said it would not file criminal charges, with a spokesperson saying: “Mr. Render has successfully completed the Office’s Hearing process, including a community service requirement that was imposed.”
Killer Mike has a bunch of tour dates coming up as he continues to support his 2023 Grammy-winning solo album, Michael. The run kicks off this week and includes a mix of headlining and festival dates, including slots at Newport Folk Fest, Lollapalooza, and Outside Lands.
Best of Rolling Stone