Since then, more than a decade has passed killer mike released a solo track, but this weekend he came back with great success, releasing the video for “Run”, a powerful track and video with a political message that included an intro David Chappelle with a guest verse by Young thug.
Directed by Adrian Villagomez, the video revolves around important American historical battles but reimagines them as key moments in black history and the fight for freedom. The video features Killer Mike on historical battlefields but as the leader of a black battalion and allies battling enemies like Nazis, secessionists, and Confederate soldiers. Dave Chappelle’s intro refers to his “Normandy” monologue.
In conversation with Rolling StoneDescribing the inspiration for the song and video, Killer Mike said, “If you watch this video, certain things will stand out: Obviously, there’s a war for people who want justice and righteousness, and there’s a war that’s symbolized by that what you would notice is old Confederate uniforms and Nazi-like uniforms,” adding that he included the Chappelle monologue clip because it was “inspired by the monologue that Dave Chappelle did in the beginning — um.” to be representative that there is a battle, the spiritual battle, that is going on with us every single day.”
In addition to historical references, the video also calls for the release of Young Thug and Gunna during Young Thug’s verse. In the video, a soldier can be seen waving a white flag that reads “Free Thug, Protect Black Art, Free Gunna,” while another scene shows a soldier wearing a white armband that reads “Free YSL.” (YSL Records rappers Young Thug and Gunna are both currently in prison as part of a 56-count RICO case.)