Killer Mike: Free Speech Lets Me Know My Enemy

In his keynote speech at the 2023 FIRE Gala in New York City, Run the Jewels rapper Killer Mike tells the story of how he learned the value of free expression, why listening to and speaking with those we disagree with makes us better, and why it is up to all of us to preserve a culture of free speech in America.
Watch Killer Mike's "So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast" interview with host, Nico Perrino:
• Killer Mike on free sp...

[@krisdonahoo8305]

Protect Killer Mike at any cost.

[@Discipleofyeshuahamaschiach]

How?

[@DecaturQue]

They coming for Killer Mike. Mostly the liberals though and they not gone kill him or even think he should be killed because he not upsetting the establishment.

[@ivoryphillips4750]

Why?

[@andrewmelchior3rdspace]

For every Martin King and Malcolm X

[@thisdude9033]

Stop these basic bitch comments. And if u liked it your an idiot

[@OWXMUSIC]

“Don’t let your college campuses become so one sided that you become masters you despise” I love this quote by Mike, every political side tends be behave the same

[@oneforalljustice5050]

They won’t admit that.

[@areffpnb9276]

Listen to this man. You can’t know your enemies for you force them into hiding. You can’t know your friends if they’re afraid to tell you the truth.

[@TimJr.]

White liberals are the enemy.

[@manfran1]

I'm 59, and a public speaker since 1988. Killer Mike is among the best I've ever heard.

[@dreynolds4883]

Killer Mike can't say a paragraph of words without using profanity lol You can't be serious

[@manfran1]

@@dreynolds4883 Of course I can be. You obviously don't understand two things. The first is that people have different opinions than yours. The second, is that public speaking is about communication, and Mike does that very well. I'm not a child who concerns myself with profanity.

[@dreynolds4883]

@@manfran1 Malcolm X summed it up best about people who can't get a point across without using profanity. I will agree to disagree Brother.

[@GP_017]

@@dreynolds4883Malcolm didn’t say tht. Brother Bane did in the movie, and If u don’t study the art form of communication u don’t understand wat he’s doing. Everyone was attentive, engaged and he stayed on point professionally. And he let the crowd feel him personally so they could relate even more to his points driving them home.

[@manfran1]

@@dreynolds4883 So, no ideas of your own. Got it. You're not my brother.

[@PamelaMorgan-rb9ss]

Thank you Killer Mike. I will never forget the day one of my coworkers interrupted a group gripe session where we were harping on one of our favorite targets. He said: "I think we're not listening." Calmly, quietly, because that's who my coworker was. Neither I or any of the rest of us changed that day but, for me, when I feel a rant starting, I try to ask myself "Am I listening"? As you might say, "Am I open to hearing?" Thank you again. I might actually try listening to so e rap music because of you and this speech.

[@theduhscripshunn5476]

EVERYBODY with a heartbeat should check out some Rap Music ( The Good Rap ) will CHANGE YOUR LIFE !!!!

[@icecreampimpdeux]

Listen to A Tribe Called Quest you might like them

[@philosophrwiggles1175]

Don't listen to the mainstream rap. Independent rap is where there is a lot of great lyricists that speak facts

[@robertscottplacier4948]

That was a great speech. Thank you, Killer Mike. And thanks to FIRE for the brilliant choice to choose him as their keynote speaker. Very glad to say I am a member.

[@becka_boo]

This man is the REAL DEAL...I would vote for him in a heartbeat if he ever ran for political office!!

[@chezronstevenson6825]

We live in a Feelings nation. Some feel they are superior to others. Some feel they are more deserving than others. Some feel they are above the law. Some feel they can rule over and subjugate others. Some feel they can tell others how to speak, when to breathe, live and raise their children. Some feel ALL others must worship within the same religion and pray to only their "god." Some feel their previous horrific actions, along with others history, accomplishments, culture, and humanity are erasable from existence. When some begin to think their feelings can revoke the human rights, life and livelihood of another, its no longer feelings. Its ego with an added narcissistic, abusive character trait. That is what created this nation and that's what leads it til this day.

[@ericrhodes186]

I don't know how FIRE can ever top this, but if they can be smart and lucky enough to find another note speaker as eloquent and intelligent as Killer Mike, I am looking forward to next year's. That was just beautiful. And so damn American it made my heart swell.

[@handled99]

Hes not intelligent. Hes only intelligent to dumb negroes. Hes just a dump democrat!

[@meganconnell-cox6425]

I vote for Dave Chappelle. I say the two of them run for President/Vice President. Can you imagine the disruption to society, to the worn-out, traditional norms of American Politics, drenched in systemic racial inequalities? Changes might actually begin to happen....

[@perpetualjon]

Bravo Mike! This is a very important speech for so many Americans to hear.

[@michellekelton1258]

"if we're not allowed to speak, we're not allowed to hear each other."

[@MetaBABE_]

YUP JUST KNOW BEING HEARD ALSO MEANS IN COURT

[@anikacorbett7714]

they hear them but not us

[@anikacorbett7714]

they hear them but not us

[@timoutlaw1415]

That was absolutely brilliant and a pleasure to watch.

[@mattheil57]

Killer Mike is a national treasure

[@PA_MD1]

😂😂

[@IllaFoRilla]

Standing ovation!! Killer Mike is really out here dropping heavy facts! Peace and love to all my brothers and sisters out there.

[@Musicmanatwork]

It’s all poison lies! Why he sell out to the Woke Democrats leftist Marxist

[@ottocarius7814]

Peace be with you brother

[@wetcheetofart]

Few humans can speak intelligence, whit and powerful facts like this man. He may actually be the only one living among us.

[@charlescharlemagne4907]

lol

[@Musicmanatwork]

Ty his puppet for hurting black culture is pure poison. The Rich whites pay him Big $$$$ and he like it! And sold his soul. Sad for those who buy his crap he’s trying to sell

[@mattgunia942]

Killer Mike and I probably don't agree on much. But we agree fully and completely on the importance of the First Amendment and the vital necessity of protecting the speech, religion, and assembly rights of every single person on earth. As much as we may disagree, Killer Mike and I are one the same team.

[@aemmerich]

Fantastic speech, well done Killer Mike!

[@DrShawnBerry]

Very glad to have heard this patriot, a student of Mrs. Henderson!

[@culpepperly]

While still in the workforce, my father, a black man, approached a co-worker that constantly tried to justify his jokes about black people as not being racist. He told the man, "I would have far more respect for you as a man if you were brave enough to admit that you are a racist man". Know thy enemy and keep them close enough to be prepared when the attack is imminent, y'all.

[@InterstateInf]

Seriously

[@jamesmartin770]

Killer Mike has always been that dude. If I agree with him on a topic or not, he is a treasure

[@Matt-kt9nm]

I agree with you completely. Parts of this speech I don't agree with, but I still have respect for Mike and value his perspective.

[@tommydagun32]

Killer Mike for President! Thank you brother for all the things that you do.

[@dnuts4104]

There is not much else to say besides bless and keep preaching and practicing what you preach. Much luv. Peace.

[@falexisjr]

Represent Mike. Truly one of the most humble personalities out there. He's most likely just as likeable a person in real life as he portrays to be in his interviews and public gatherings. Here! Here King!

[@chadterry7080]

Killer Mike, killin’ the mic. I was always a fan but wow such a great speech.

[@travispowell7835]

He doesn't like white people but ok

[@larrywalewski2934]

Without free speech, all the wolves simply become wolves in sheep's clothing.

[@djunalu]

Killer Mike is so eloquent and brilliant. I want more! I hope his voice and message are elevated to reach as many as possible.

[@richkohnle3942]

What an amazing speech from an amazing human being. Respect.

[@ljwhat1734]

Thank you Michael Render. You are truly an Inspiration.

[@patrickbertlein4626]

I had to send that quote about campuses becoming one sided to Evergreen State College!What a perfect quote.

[@rogermoore2661]

It's beautiful to hear someone on the left be so passionate about free speech.. and say the Government should not be infringing on our freedom of speech. Thats awesome iv always loved Mike's music.. (and El-P) and to acknowledge we live in a Republic

[@8thlvlMage]

The "right" and modern conservatives do more to restrict free speech than any progressives.

[@andreaantell1009]

Thank you Mike for the effort you put into this forceful and well considered speech; a lost art and we will be so much the worse for it. These words mean everything. Excellent, excellent job.

[@mcmahonicusV3]

Thank you Killer Mike. We need your voice and we're listening.

[@713consulting5]

"we live in a time when intelligent people are silenced so that stupid people won't be offended." ~tiffany cross

[@ottocarius7814]

As a white man I have a great respect for men like dr. King because they preached peace love and equality. They didn’t spew hatred and they didn’t cause division. And I like how killer mike wasn’t aiming at one party at or another and I like how he talked about that we all should stand up for our rights and to help one another guys like killer mike help heal division and hate and bring people together no matter race religion gender etc we need more guys like killer mike and dr king if we did the world would be a better place. Honestly both parties suck because politicians suck. If your a trump supporter or a democrat both need to talk and work together to create instead of destruction. Peace and love killer mike the world needs more people like you peace ☮️

[@alexanderclaylavin]

He kept it real since his first album

[@billgagnon1791]

holy shit. one of the greatest speeches EVER. well done.

[@dreynolds4883]

A great speech is 1 that my kids can listen to. He can't say a paragraph of words without using profanity. smh still a good Brother.

[@ayewhaddupdoe]

@@dreynolds4883 Your kids have heard those words plenty. I hope you see why he intentionally used those words plentifully in this talk. It's your responsibility to tell your children not to repeat those words if you wish for them not to, but I'm sorry to tell you, as a former child myself: We were all using those words once you weren't in the room anyways.

[@jensenchavez265]

It's truly amazing, the power of a good teacher.

[@OMEHGA]

Solid speech by Killer Mike. I can appreciate anyone taking action on behalf of their people and not just talking about it. My only constructive criticism about this address is the use of the word, HEAR. Brother @KillerMike hearing is simply detecting sound, but LISTENING is with intention and it’s an active process to give your attention. It involves not only the ears (like hearing does) but, LISTENING involves the mind and our ability to process and make sense of what we “hear” because we are actively “LISTENING.” #RESPECT #LOVE

[@Tom-xv5rk]

It's not everyday you hear a speech that offends you one minute and inspires you in the next. Great stuff.

[@canangel75]

The beauty of free speech

[@DakotaMcElroy]

What part of this speech is offensive

[@philosophrwiggles1175]

​@Dakota McElroy some people may not be very fond of the swearing. But I do think that he was doing that on purpose to make a point

[@timharper4246]

​@Dakota McElroy the porn. I'm not a fan of it. The world would be better off eithouy it, but I guess it should be allowed. Also using words like misogyny ans "phobic" when there seems to be no clear definition of those words anymore. They've become an attack vector to silence people and shut down discourse. I don't like those words, but I understand there are examples of it in society.

[@canangel75]

@@timharper4246 I guess we must accept and understand there are many ways to live and be happy.....live n let live. Do no harm to others regardless of their beliefs or creed. We all bleed red.

[@Kosstheraidboss]

This is the most important speech of this era. Authoritarians on both "sides " have been trying to roll back the bill of rights since the passing of the patriot act under Bush, and the continuation and strengthening of it under Obama and every president since.

[@KofiDaeshaun1020]

Preach. Bush .....n then his relative Obama 😢

[@twiladavis1516]

Democratic people are not after Black rights

[@mikejohnson4376]

Killer Mike is a product of good upbringing responsibility and patriotism and a great person that tells the truth and not with emotions

[@gtatheist4826]

Spoken like somebody who has yet to listen to one album he ever put out.

[@PA_MD1]

"Patriotism" 😂😂

[@MetaBABE_]

NOT CUSSING ADULTS OUT , RUNNING THE STREETS WHENEVER HOWEVER, NO GUIDANCE. YOU SHOULDN'T LIMIT YOUR EXPRESSION TO SIMPLE CUSSING WORDS OR PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES NOR SHOULD YOUR CHILDREN.

[@ChoppedBananas]

@@PA_MD1 You may be confusing patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism is being critical of your country to make life better for the people in it. People who wave the flag are often the most anti American people I've ever met.

[@kenkneram4819]

@@ChoppedBananas Agreed. People forget the descent is the truest form of patriotism. Those who say love it or leave it are forgetting the third option... Change it for the better. Let's not forget that nationalism in Germany is what led to the rise of the third Reich.

[@jimmieraper5807]

Inspired to stand up for all speech. Mike's reasoning is undeniable. Powerful, wow never heard anything like this!

[@theateroftheabsurd2168]

We the people the ones that agree with this man..... We will rule the world... Regardless of race color or gender... The people 🎉

[@MrGravylegs]

Thank you Killer Mike!! Love when you speak the truth so eloquently!!

[@donaldnewman5836]

Why when black people speak intelligence you just can't say, he is speaking the truth. Do y'all say that about white people when they talk

[@texanallday]

One of the most entertaining/educating defenses of our Freedom of Speech I've ever watched.

[@samuelbush8734]

Reading different comments disagreeing with his point, proves his point.

[@healingcircle9936]

Extraordinary. Inspirational. Gorgeous speech. 🙏🏽

[@redriver6541]

Love this man.... I've listened to a lot of his speeches on different subjects.... And as a white rural 🔫 loving Americans..... I want this MrFr on my team.....any day. Even if he hadn't made some of the sickest beats ever.....I'd still love him. I'd actually consider voting for him if he were to run for office...... Hint hint Mike (if you read this).

[@jimmycopas5192]

This is who/what we need in a politician and even president

[@wizerd2089]

"If we are not allowed to speak, then we are not allowed to hear one another." 👏👏👏👏

[@christinapomponio6452]

I could listen to Micheal Render speak forever. I feel like a kid sitting on the floor in front of my nanny's recliner while she talk to me about any and everything, when I listen to him.

[@gparsr]

That speech got me subbed with FIRE! Thanks for sharing that - something that independent thinkers of all types can agree on.

[@des7638]

Incredible speech. Thank you Mike + FIRE

[@timwilliams9865]

I believe in the end, our only allies will be our enemies balance will be created. So happy to hear this.

[@normancore9522]

Killer Mike for President !!!!!!!!!

[@bobbullethalf]

100%

[@StateOfChaos]

Killer Mike was a great speaker to have come in.

[@exitvalid2462]

If Mike had a church of any sort,I would go,this man means well

[@loriboze]

Brilliant, engaging, and of the truth. Learned a few quality quotes, and a new perspective to argue for. Well done, Sir.

[@dozi3r]

i love killer mike.

[@kenkneram4819]

This is the first I've ever seen or heard of this guy!! I'm incredibly impressed!

[@nigelbodu4981]

Great speech! Classic.

[@quentincommedo232]

The truth speaks volumes!

[@rununderground]

Thank You Mike! For your work in the trenches!

[@manwithoutacountry]

So amazed by this man!

[@mikesed860]

Killer Mike, I liked you very much from many of your previous interviews and speeches I've heard you in before, but after listening to this brilliant speech by you today I have a much higher admiration and appreciation for Michael winder.

[@everythingisaworkinprogres5729]

Killer Mike killed it. (Bring back civics in education! Along with Mrs. Henderson types!)

[@mattgunia942]

This speech is a great, great example of why we need to teach civics. I was thinking as he spoke about his teacher.

[@Latoyasanders183]

There are no teachers like Ms Ellis anymore.

[@PeterPeter-]

I'm really glad I discovered Killer Mike

[@donaldnewman5836]

This is my first time listening to killer mike, and I listen to what he had to say. I get it!

[@sylmen1111]

Great speech.💖🙏💯

[@noelv4040]

Made my morning. Thank you.

[@djkamillionmoneyrainent931]

I absolutely love this brother 💯

[@vickwicked4260]

Fantastic Speech by Mike. Yes I do like to know my enemy off top so I can address accordingly.

[@avigenuth4395]

This gave me chills at multiple points. What a brilliant speech!

[@elenab9404]

I’m taking his advice….getting involved in local sh*t….tag, you’re it! Don’t let his words fall on deaf ears, y’all!! Let’s do it!

[@4foxsake571]

I do not know much about Killer Mike at all, and have no idea whether I align with him on specific political matters but this talk is 100% accurate and I am 100% behind the remarks he has made here.

[@sivacrom]

13:35 Needed to be heard.

[@sethblack5309]

I don't know who he is, but I really like what he said. I respect him. I'm glad he had a teacher that affected him in such a profound way. I agree with his view on speach 100%. I am concidered a white right wing extremist Trump supporter, but I love this man like a brother. This gives me so much promise & hope. God bless this guy.

[@davestewart2021]

Killer Mike for president

[@patfoley2168]

Killer Mike plz keep being 💯

[@BuddhatheRockstar]

Saw the title and immediatley thought of my favorite band R.A.T.M. We must find the correct path. Not the Right or the Left.

[@psychedelicfright85]

RAGE is being listened to by the wrong people these days. It kind of ruined them for me.

[@theresabullock3241]

Killer Mike is looking healthy, handsome and happy…. But most of all continuing to do the work for his people and for his country.

[@KeywordManagement]

13 minutes in....man this is powerful. I've never listened to Killer Mike, but he's got my attention.

[@dejuanevans7193]

Hard FACTS

[@jaydunn3251]

The best speakers are great thinkers. This was very well thought out and beautifully spoken. At a time when some much is unclear, we needed to be reminded of who we are and where we stand . United . Thank you Killer.

[@marthabromberg6274]

Thank you! Excellent speech from a really FREE MAN. Killer Mike has my respect and admiration.

[@matthiashagemann1981]

An article in the German "WELT" about KILLER MIKE brought me here. I could only read the headline and the beginning, because a subscription was needed to go further. But it was enough to search him up and see what else he has to say. Since I'm not a big fan of hip-hop I had to find another source. I'm glad that I listened to what he had to say. I'm glad I did. I will spread his message. I'll listen even though others don't want to hear what I have to say.

[@anhedonic-voting]

Yes sir, I like to know who my enemies are too.

[@BILL-vi7vd]

Oh shit RAPPERS are getting into POLITICIANS. The government is in trouble. I'm 70, who hates today RAPPERS, but I will be following this RAPPER

[@randygault4564]

I wonder how many of those applauding the willingness to go to jail would actually go to jail rather than utter 2+2=5. They will take your job, your family, your retirement, your name. Unless you just say it. How many are really choosing jail in that case? Almost nobody.

[@faithinverity8523]

There’s the truth. Then there’s the spoken truth. Then there’s Killer Mike.

[@mommabear4232]

ive been saying this my brother of the higher power !!!!!!!!!!!

[@seanjustg5425]

💪🏽❤🔥thank Yas for this and all you do🙏🏽🌎i agree wit every word said here...💯

[@meganconnell-cox6425]

"...that helped put me on a pathway to understanding why: simply because I didn't like it was not enough to shut people up; simply because it made me uncomfortable was not enough to shut people up; and, it was always wrong to use government..." That's the phrase to be remembered, even hailed, in this speech.

[@gfy69]

I absolutely love this. Would love to hear Luke's take on free speech in these unfortunate times.

[@mrbiggles1816]

This was fantastic. Thank you.

[@user-di8hm2jl2u]

I love this man!

[@ericwise1032]

Preach brother!!!

[@JohnsonCocker]

I love Killer Mike. Wish I Hadn't googled who funds FIRE though

[@galacticwarlock2271]

Killer Mike is right.