Killer Mike has teamed with Robert Glasper for a new version “MOTHERLESS,” the emotional core of Mike’s most recent solo album MICHAEL.
The song was penned as a living tribute to their departed mothers Druzella Denise Clonts (aka OG Mama Niecy) and Kim Yvette Glasper. “MOTHERLESS,” Mike’s most vulnerable work to date, 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 is now available on all streaming services, as well as in this video which documents the trio’s cathartic performance in the studio. The new version of the song made its debut this past Friday, when the trio delivered an unyieldingly raw and tearful performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in the show’s first week on air since the end of its five month hiatus.
“Two years ago I was asked to get on ‘Black Superhero’ by Robert Glasper,” stated 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!”