Killer Mike swung by The Late Show to perform “Exit 9,” a song off his Grammy-winning 2023 album, Michael.
The Atlanta rapper dedicated the performance to his grandmother, Betty, breezing through the pensive track, which finds him pondering current successes and past struggles, progress and setbacks, and all the work that remains to be done. Killer Mike was joined on stage by DJ Trackstar and the Midnight Revival Choir, whose live vocals lent a warm touch to “Exit 9,” especially during the a cappella final refrain, “I remember them days, makin’ minimum wage/I was tryna maintain, look how far I done came.”
Earlier this month, Killer Mike took home three Grammys — his first ever as a solo artist — including Best Rap Album for Michael and Best Rap Song and Rap Performance for “Scientists and Engineers.” The big wins, however, were somewhat overshadowed when a video emerged of the rapper being taken away in handcuffs following a confrontation inside the Crypto.com arena. Killer Mike (real name Michael Render) was questioned and later booked for misdemeanor battery.
As law enforcement previously told Rolling Stone, the incident allegedly occurred when a security guard asked for Render’s tickets. The rapper allegedly tried to get around her, and when she attempted to get in front of him again, he allegedly “pushed her to the ground.”
Render has denied the incident, releasing a statement last week: “As you can imagine, there was a lot going and there was some confusion around which door my team and I should enter. We experienced an over-zealous security guard, but my team and I have the upmost confidence that I will ultimately be cleared of all wrongdoing.”
Render also addressed the incident during an appearance on The View yesterday, saying, “I think the backstage was overcrowded, I think the winners were exuberant and I think that security got a little overzealous. You know, it’s water under the bridge for me.”
He added: “I like to say, all of my heroes have been in handcuffs. Malcolm, Martin, Mandela, Medgar. I walked out with the same dignity and respect that I walked in with, and I would implore people to just take that from it. Don’t dwell on the past.”