Long a collaborator with Southern rap royalty (OutKast gave him his break), Mike seeks out household-name status on his ferocious new "Allegiance" installment. Jammed with cameos, it's a bold and sprawling piece that puts soul-tinged balladry next to explicit hardcore flows.

Killer Mike got his formal introduction to the industry when he first appeared on the Outkast single "The Whole World" for which he won a Grammy. Mike then signed to Outkast's Aquemini label, which was distributed by Columbia Records, and in 2003 released his debut album, "Monster" which went Gold. After a short stay at Big Boi?s label, Purple Ribbon/Virgin, Mike decided it was time for him to make moves on his own and he established Grind Time Official in 2004. With no distribution, Grind Time still made an impact with Killer Mike releases including, ?Dec Crack? in 2004, ?The Killer? which won the SEA Mixtape of the Year Award in 2005, and ?I Pledge Allegiance to The Grind I?, which won Best Street Album at the 2007 Ozone Awards.

In 2007 Killer Mike and his Atlanta based label, Grind Time Official joined forces with Bay Area based record label, SMC Recordings. The first release from this dynamic partnership will be the continuation of Killer Mike's critically acclaimed Pledge series and will be titled, I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II. The street date for the album release will be July 2008. Pledge II boasts an impressive line up of both Southern and Bay Area rappers, which will include appearances by notable legends, 8 Ball and MJG, UGK and Trae. As he did with ?I Pledge Allegiance to The Grind I?, Mike will reunite with producers Chaotic Beats, Heatwave and The D Majors for part II and also will include beats from Marvelous J and The Beat Bullies.

Grind Time and SMC are looking ahead and after kicking off the partnership with I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II in July of 2008, they plan to continue their partnership with a release from SL Jones and other members of the Grind Time Rap Gang.