Killer Mike trades bars for benediction on new collaboration with Lena Byrd Miles
Killer Mike has shared new track, "Smiling Eyes (Smiling Faces)", a collaboration with gospel singer Lena Byrd Miles taken from the soundtrack for the Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman-produced Civil War series The Gray House.
The track finds the Atlanta rapper swapping his usual high-octane delivery for a more measured, reflective flow with lyrics are set against a backdrop of soulful melodies and gospel-tinged pianos and Byrd Miles’ soaring vocals as a powerful counterpoint. The song is written by a team including Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield, and Killer Mike himself (Michael Render), and is one of several high-profile contributions to the show's accompanying album.
The project marks a distinct sonic shift for the Run the Jewels rapper, who has consistently used his platform for political commentary.
The Gray House, premiering on 26 February, tells the true story of a group of women who ran an Underground Railroad network that evolved into a Union spy ring during the Civil War. The series, directed by Roland Joffé, boasts executive producers including Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman.
The Gray House (Original Soundtrack From the Amazon Series) is released on 26 February via UMG Nashville.
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