Killer Mike Partners With SMC Recordings

According to a statement released today, critically-acclaimed Atlanta MC Killer Mike has partnered with Bay Area-based label SMC Recordings to distribute his own label, Grind Time Official.

After releasing his debut Monster on OutKast's Aquemini label and briefly playing a key role in Big Boi's Purple Ribbon label, Mike struck out on his own in 2004 by establishing his own label and roster of new artists. With no distribution, Grind Time had several successful underground mixtape releases, including I Pledge Allegience To The Grind and The Killer.

The first release under the new partnership with SMC will be I Pledge Allegience To The Grind II, which will feature appearances from 8 Ball & MJG, UGK, Trae and others. The first single from the album is expected to surface in December, and the album will be released in early 2008. Other 2008 releases from the Grind Time family are expected, including the debut from Little Rock, AR rapper SL Jones. After years of label uncertainty, Mike had this to say about the new partnership: “If you work hard and grind hard, it will pay off in the end! I was a worker, now I’m a boss!”