Today (February 4), the 66th Grammy Awards are currently taking place in Los Angeles, California. Winners in the four Rap/Hip-Hop music category winners were announced ahead of the 8pm EST show, which will be hosted by Trevor Noah. At the premiere event, Killer Mike won “Best Rap Album” for his 2023 release MICHAEL, after taking home “Best Rap Song” and “Best Rap Performance” for “SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS,” his collaboration with André 3000, Future, and Eryn Allen Kane. This marks three major wins for the Atlanta, Georgia veteran.

Mike was in attendance, and accepted all three awards—joined by album producer DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia, his wife Shay Bigga, manager Will Bronson, and his A&R Cuz Lightyear. “You cannot tell me that you get too old! You can tell me that it’s too late. Dreams come true!” erupted a joyful Mike.

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The fourth category, “Best Melodic Rap Performance” was won by Lil Durk and J. Cole for “All My Life.” Neither were there to accept the award, who was taken by presenter Jimmy Jam. When he won the first award, “Best Rap Performance,” Mike said, “I hope to be able to come back up here again.” He then said, “I’m a Black man in America, and as a kid, I had a dream to become part of music—and a nine-year-old is excitedly dancing inside of me right now.” He closed, “I want to thank everyone who dares to believe that art can change the world. Thank Dre. Thank Future. Thank Eryn. Thank all the producers on here. But everyone in this room, it is our responsibility to keep using our imagination to shape and form the world. Thank you, and I hope it’s not the last time I see you tonight.” He then came back up win two additional wins.

The wins are significant for the esteemed Rap veteran and co-founder of Run The Jewels. MICHAEL, his sixth album, marks his first solo release since 2012’s acclaimed R.A.P. Music. The 2023 VLNS, LLC/Loma Vista Recordings LP involved fellow Dungeon Family artists André 3000, CeeLo Green, Future, and movement co-founder Rico Wade of Organized Noize. Other guests included RTJ band-mate El-P, as well as Curren$y, Mozzy, Young Thug, 2 Chainz, and Ty Dolla Sign. No ID, DJ Paul, Cool & Dre, Don Cannon, Cory Mo, El-P, and Beat Butcha are among producers of the album that peaked at #58 on the album charts.

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Mike’s won the “Best Rap Album” category against Nas & Hit-Boy’s King’s Disease III, Drake & 21 Savage’s Her Loss, Travis Scott’s UTOPIA, and Metro Boomin’s late ’22 drop, HEROES & VILLAINS.

Twenty one years ago, Mike won his first Grammy alongside OutKast in the “Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group” for “The Whole World.” The song, marking Mike’s first on wax, was from the 2001 compilation Big Boi and Dre Present… Outkast. One month after his win, Killer Mike released his Columbia Records debut, Monster, which featured OutKast.

Selections from MICHAEL are currently included in Ambrosia For Heads‘ playlist (follow here) embedded below. MICHAEL was also named among AFH‘s 10 Best Albums Of 2023.

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#BonusBeat: Killer Mike’s 2019 interview with AFH: