Killer Mike has teamed with acclaimed Robert Glasper, for a soul-baring piano and vocal version of “Motherless”. The track, is a loving tribute to their departed mothers, Druzella Denise Clonts (aka OG Mama Niecy) and Kim Yvette Glasper.

Killer Mike’s LP Motherless,, was written as an homage to the foundational impact Mama Niecy and Mike’s grandmother had on his character and perspective and as a somber reflection on how deeply their loss impacted his life. Glasper, who lost his mother 20 years ago, was so moved by the album version that he teamed with Mike in Los Angeles over the summer to help craft a new version that strips away No I.D.’s production, baring its emotional resonance in an intimate arrangement of just Mike’s voice, Glasper’s piano, and Eryn Allen Kane’s stirring vocals. The song’s video, documents the trio’s cathartic performance in the studio.

“Two years ago I was asked to get on Black Superhero by Robert Glasper,” states Mike. “The song was incredible, and he’d go on to win a GRAMMY for the album. My only regret was that we weren’t in the same room together when we made it. So when talks of him remixing MOTHERLESS came up it was a no brainer only this time we wanted to be in the studio together along with Eryn Allen Kane. Someone was smart enough to have cameras there capturing us making this tribute to my mother, Druzella Denise Clonts aka OG Mama Niecy and Rob’s mother, Kim Yvette Glasper. Performing this song is never easy – I wept every night on tour. The outpouring of emotions has been part of healing. To all those who belong to the Motherless club I pray this helps and to all those who are lucky enough to have their mothers – call them!”

“Motherless” arrives in the wake of MICHAEL’s first physical release and the digital release of MICHAEL DELUXE. On physical release week the album went to #1 on the rap sales charts, propelled in part by videos for the new songs YES and Maynard Vignette, the latter of which is a huge multi-generational Atlanta anthem with features from T.I., JID, and Jacquees. Meanwhile Mike has been traversing the US on Run The Jewels’ 10 year anniversary tour, hosting Record Store Revival album singing events at independently-owned record shops along the route, including an event at Chicago’s Shuga Records whose line wrapped around the block and an event at Rough Trade NYC that featured an in-conversation event moderated by Carrie Colliton (Co-President of Record Store Day). He also has Record Store Revivals planned at Fingerprints Music in Long Beach on October 16 and a huge blowout at DBS Sounds in Atlanta on October 20.

Order Michael Deluxe HERE