Who Is Killer Mike? Age, Wife, Girlfriend, Children, Height, Parents, Siblings, Net Worth & BIO
Killer Mike is a rapper, activist, entrepreneur, and media personality who has been making an impact in the music industry and the society for over two decades. He is best known as one half of the rap duo Run the Jewels, along with producer and rapper El-P. He is also a solo artist, who has released several acclaimed albums, such as Monster, R.A.P. Music, and Pledge.
He is also a vocal and influential voice in the social and political sphere, advocating for various causes, such as racial justice, economic equality, education reform, and cannabis legalization. He is also a successful businessman, who owns and operates several ventures, such as The SWAG Shop, a barbershop chain, and Bank Greenwood, a digital banking platform for Black and Latino communities.
He is also a host and a guest on various shows, podcasts, and films, such as Trigger Warning with Killer Mike, Love & Respect, and Baby Driver. He is a multifaceted and talented individual, who has earned the respect and admiration of many fans and peers.
Killer Mike Wiki/Bio
| Name | Killer Mike |
| Birth name | Michael Santiago Render |
| Birth date | April 20, 1975 |
| Birth place | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christian with Jewish ancestry |
| Occupation | Rapper, songwriter, activist, entrepreneur |
| Spouse | Shana Render (m. 2006) |
| Children | Five (Malik, Pony, Aniyah, Michael, and Mikey) |
| Awards | Three Grammy Awards, one NAACP Image Award, one BET Humanitarian Award, one Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award, one Emmy Award |
| Links | Instagram- @killermike Wikipedia- @Killer_Mike Homepage- Newsunzip |
Mother, Father, Siblings, Birthdate
Killer Mike was born as Michael Santiago Render on April 20, 1975 (age: 48 years, as of 2023) in the Adamsville neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia. His parents were teenagers when he was born, so he was partly raised by his grandparents, Willie Burke Sherwood and Bettie Clonts, who he speaks highly of. His grandfather was a World War II veteran and a union worker, while his grandmother was a civil rights activist and a florist.
His mother, Denise Render, also worked as a florist and later became a nurse. His father was a policeman, but he was not very involved in his son’s life. Killer also has a non-biological father, who he calls “Dad”, and two sisters, LaShunda and Lovie.
Killer Mike attended Douglass High School, where he was a star student and athlete. He excelled in academics, sports, and music, and was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by his classmates. He also developed an interest in politics and activism, inspired by his grandparents and his teachers. He graduated from high school in 1993 and enrolled at Morehouse College, a historically black college in Atlanta.
He majored in physics, but he also took courses in African-American studies, sociology, and history. He was a member of the Student Government Association and the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. He also continued to pursue his passion for music, performing at local clubs and events.
Know his Ethnicity
According to sources, he identifies as Jewish, and his family roots include African-American, Irish, and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. He has also expressed his connection to the Hebrew Israelites, a religious movement that believes that African Americans are the descendants of the ancient Israelites. He has also studied Islam and Buddhism and has shown respect for various faiths and cultures.
Music Career
Killer Mike’s music career began in 1995, when he met Big Boi, one half of the legendary rap duo Outkast, at a barbershop. Big Boi was impressed by Mike’s skills and invited him to join his record label, Aquemini Records, which later became Purple Ribbon Records. He made his recording debut on Outkast’s fourth album, Stankonia, in 2000, appearing on the track “Snappin’ and Trappin’”.
He later appeared on their Grammy Award-winning single “The Whole World” from their greatest hits album, Big Boi and Dre Present… Outkast, in 2001. He also collaborated with other artists such as Jay-Z, Bone Crusher, T.I., and Ludacris.
Killer released his debut solo album, Monster, in 2003, under Columbia Records. The album received critical acclaim and peaked at number 10 on the Billboard 200 chart. It featured the hit single “A.D.I.D.A.S.”, which featured Big Boi and Sleepy Brown and charted in the US, Ireland, New Zealand, and the UK. The album also showcased Killer political and social commentary, addressing issues such as racism, poverty, violence, and police brutality.
He followed up with two independent albums, I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind in 2006 and I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II in 2008, under his own label, Grind Time Official Records. The albums were well-received by fans and critics, who praised Killer Mike’s lyrical prowess, storytelling, and honesty. The albums also featured guest appearances from artists such as Ice Cube, Chamillionaire, 8Ball & MJG, and UGK.
Collaborations
In 2008, Killer Mike signed with T.I.’s Grand Hustle Records, and released his fourth album, Pledge, in 2011. The album was originally titled I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind III, but was changed to avoid confusion with T.I.’s album, Paper Trail. The album was a commercial success, reaching number 14 on the Billboard 200 chart and number 2 on the Top Rap Albums chart. It also spawned the singles “Ready Set Go” featuring T.I. and “Burn”.
In 2012, he released his fifth album, R.A.P. Music, under Williams Street Records, an imprint of Adult Swim. The album was entirely produced by rapper and producer El-P, who Killer met through Cartoon Network executive Jason DeMarco.
The album was hailed as a masterpiece by critics and fans, who lauded Mike’s powerful and provocative lyrics, El-P’s gritty and futuristic beats, and the duo’s chemistry. The album also featured the controversial and acclaimed single “Reagan”, which criticized the former US president and his policies.
Following the success of R.A.P. Music, Killer Mike and El-P formed the rap duo Run the Jewels in 2013. They signed with Fool’s Gold Records and released their self-titled debut album in June of that year, to widespread acclaim.
The album was praised for its hard-hitting and humorous rhymes, its energetic and eclectic production, and its social and political themes. The album also featured guest appearances from Big Boi, Prince Paul, and Until the Ribbon Breaks.
Run the Jewels released their second album, Run the Jewels 2, in 2014, which was even more successful and acclaimed than their first. The album topped several year-end lists and was nominated for several awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. The album also featured guest appearances from Zack de la Rocha, Travis Barker, Gangsta Boo, and Diane Coffee.
Run the Jewels released their third album, Run the Jewels 3, in 2016, which was also met with rave reviews and accolades. The album was released as a free download on Christmas Eve, as a surprise gift for their fans. The album also featured guest appearances from Danny Brown, Kamasi Washington, Joi, and Tunde Adebimpe.
Run the Jewels released their fourth album, RTJ4, in 2020, which was also released as a free download, this time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests. The album was widely regarded as their best and most relevant work to date, addressing issues such as police brutality, racism, corruption, and injustice. The album also featured guest appearances from Pharrell Williams, 2 Chainz, Mavis Staples, Josh Homme, and Greg Nice.
More About His Success
In addition to his albums, Killer Mike has also released several mixtapes, such as The Killer (2006), Ghetto Extraordinary (2008), Underground Atlanta (2009), PL3DGE (2011), and Bang x3 (2011). He has also appeared on several songs and albums by other artists, such as Outkast, Jay-Z, T.I., Ludacris, Ice Cube, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, DJ Shadow, Danger Mouse, and Big Boi.
Killer has also ventured into other forms of media, such as films, television, and podcasts. He has appeared in films such as 20 Funerals (2004), Idlewild (2006), ATL (2006), Baby Driver (2017), and America: The Motion Picture (2021).
He has also appeared on television shows such as Frisky Dingo (2008), Aqua Teen Hunger Force (2011), The Boondocks (2014), Animals. (2016), and South Park (2017). He has also hosted his own shows, such as Trigger Warning with Killer Mike (2019), a Netflix docuseries that explored various social and cultural issues, and Love & Respect (2021-present), a PBS interview program that won an Emmy Award in 2022.
He has also launched his own podcast, called The Mike and Royce Show, with fellow rapper Royce da 5’9″. The podcast debuted in 2020 and features the two rappers discussing various topics, such as music, politics, sports, and pop culture, with humor and insight.
Killer Mike Love for his Spouse and Kids
Killer Mike has been married to Shana Render, also known as Shay Bigga, since 2006. She is an influencer, an entrepreneur, and a real estate investor. She also co-owns The SWAG Shop, a barbershop with multiple locations, including Atlanta, Hawks Arena, and Edgewood. She also co-owns her real estate holdings with her husband.
He and Shana Render have four children together: son Pony, daughter Mikey, son Malik, and daughter Aniyah. Killer Mike is a loving and devoted father, who often gushes about his sons and daughters on social media. He also supports their dreams and aspirations, whether it is music, sports, or education.
Killer also has a girlfriend, who he has been dating since 2018. She is a model and a singer, who goes by the stage name Lady Killer.
She is also a philanthropist, who supports various causes, such as education, health, and women empowerment. She and Killer have an open and polyamorous relationship, which they have been very vocal and honest about. They respect each other’s choices and boundaries, and they share a deep love and friendship. Mike has said that he considers both his wife and his girlfriend as his soulmates, and that he is grateful for having them in his life.
Favorite Things & More
- Atlanta eatery: Miss Ann’s Snack Bar
- Fast food delicacy: The Ghetto Burger
- Regional barbecue style: Texas-style beef and Carolina-style barbecue
- Rap group: Outkast
- Comic book character: Spider-Man
Net Worth, Car Collection & House
| Year | Net Worth (in USD) | Assets |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $10 million | Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, Rolls-Royce Ghost, BMW Alpina B7, Aston Martin DB11, Porsche 911 Turbo S, Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Huracán, $3 million penthouse in Los Angeles |
| 2023 | $5 million | SWAG Shop, Graffiti’s SWAG Barbershop, $1.5 million mansion in Atlanta |
| 2022 | $2.5 million | SWAG Shop, Graffiti’s SWAG Barbershop, $1 million house in Atlanta |
Height, Weight & Body Stats
- Height: 6 ft or 183 cm
- Weight: 118 kg or 260 lbs
- Eye color: Dark brown
- Hair color: Black
- Skin color: Black-brown
- Body measurements: Not available
- Shoe size: 11 inches
