Killer Mike has teamed up with Robert Glasper for a new version of “Motherless,” the emotional centerpiece of the Run the Jewels emcee’s most recent solo album Michael. The track was penned as a tribute to their respective departed mothers Druzella Denise Clonts (a.k.a. OG Mama Niecy) and Kim Yvette Glasper. Glasper, who lost his mother 20 years ago, was so moved by the original song that he teamed up with Mike over the summer to help craft a new version that also features vocals from Eryn Allen Kane.
“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.”
The new version of the track also comes with a video of the recording session, with Mike and Glasper together in the booth at last. “Someone was smart enough to have cameras there capturing us making this tribute,” Mike added. “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!”
Check out a live performance of the new version below, and stream the deluxe edition of Michael here.
