''Pledge'' (stylized as ''PL3DGE'') is the fourth studio album by

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

hip hop recording artist

Killer Mike Michael Santiago Render (born April 20, 1975), better known by his stage name Killer Mike, is an American rapper, actor, and activist. Mike made his debut on Outkast's 2000 LP '' Stankonia'', and later appeared on their Grammy-winning single "T ...

. It was released on May 17, 2011, through

SMC Recordings SMC Recordings is an independent hip hop record label established in 2005 in Del Valle, Texas, by Charles Vasquez, Micheal Luna, and Saroj Thapa. SMC primarily signs and distributes established hip hop artists. SMC grew out of a vision that Sa ...

, Grind Time Official, Tree Leaf Records and

Grand Hustle Records Grand Hustle Records (formerly Grand Hustle Entertainment), also known as Hustle Gang Music, is an Atlanta, Georgia-based hip hop record label, founded in 2003, by American rapper T.I. and his manager Jason Geter. Up until December 2012, the lab ...

. The album's production was handled by Tha Bizness,

No I.D. Ernest Dion Wilson (born June 23, 1971), professionally known as No I.D. (formerly Immenslope), is an American hip hop and R&B producer from Chicago, Illinois. Wilson is also a disc jockey (DJ), music arranger and former rapper, having relea ...

Flying Lotus Steven Ellison (born October 7, 1983), known by his stage name Flying Lotus or sometimes FlyLo, is an American record producer, DJ, filmmaker and rapper from Los Angeles. He is also the founder of the record label Brainfeeder. Flying Lotus ha ...

The Beat Bullies The Beat Bullies are an American music production duo based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, composed of Teeth Malloy, Nicholas Sherwood and Nsilo Reddick. They co-produced Chamillionaire's debut album ''The Sound of Revenge'', and have worked ...

, DJ Speedy, Raz of the Beat Billionaires and Grind Time label-mates Smiff & Cash. The album, which is his third in the ''I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind'' series, was supported by the lead single "Ready Set Go", featuring Grand Hustle label-boss and fellow American rapper T.I.

Background

Killer Mike had started his recordings for ''Pledge'' in mid-2010 and throughout the beginning of 2011. He announced the first recording from the album, entitled "Ready Set Go" with production by

, in late 2010. The album is the third in a series that started with ''

I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind ''I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind'' is the second studio album by American rapper Killer Mike. It was released on November 21, 2006, by Grind Time Rap Gang's record label Grind Time Official. The album features guest verses from each member of ...

'' in 2006, and was followed by '' I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II'' in 2008.

Music

Lyrical style

During an interview for HipHopDX, Mike commented on the political trend of the album saying:

Controversy with Jay-Z and Warren Buffett

Mike also talks to HipHopDX about Jay-Z and

Warren Buffett Warren Edward Buffett ( ; born August 30, 1930) is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is currently the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. He is one of the most successful investors in the world and has a net ...

contents on album, saying:

Singles

Killer Mike released one single for the album. The song, titled "Ready Set Go", was released December 7, 2010 for digital download. The song was produced by

, and features vocals from T.I. "Ready Set Go" failed to chart.

Reception

The album received favorable reviews overall, with Mosi Reeves of Spin giving the album a 7 out of 10, stating, "The former OutKast associate tones down the crack talk in favor of diatribes against Sarah Palin and Nancy Pelosi ("That's Life II") and the Christian church." The website Bonafide also rated the album as ''positive'', with David Acaster introducing the album saying, "Fortunately he hasn’t taken the route of most New York rappers and declare it the death of hip-hop, an achingly boring tactic that never hides the fact that it’s bitter resentment. Instead it’s just served to make him hungry, and for large parts of Pl3dge he finds his own lane, standing above his peers from his illustrious hometown."

Track listing

The track list and its respectively chronology,

production team A production team is the group of technical staff who produce a play, television show, recording, or film. Generally the term refers to all individuals responsible for the technical aspects of creating of a particular product, regardless of wher ...

and

guests Guest or The Guest may refer to: * A person who is given hospitality * Guest (surname), people with the surname ''Guest'' * USS ''Guest'' (DD-472), U.S. Navy ''Fletcher''-class destroyer 1942–1946 * Guest appearance, guest actor, guest star, e ...

confirmed by HipHopDX.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pledge Killer Mike albums 2011 albums Albums produced by Tha Bizness Albums produced by No I.D. Grand Hustle Records albums SMC Recordings albums Sequel albums