Rapper and activist Killer Mike, known as one half of the hip-hop duo Run The Jewels, will receive the Billboard Music Awards’ first ever Change Maker Award.
The award recognizes those who have used their musical and celebrity platform to create social and political change in their community and beyond. Killer Mike has exemplified that from the very beginning of his career, working diligently in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, and across the country in the fight for civil rights and social justice.
“This award highlights and recognizes the attributes of a true social justice warrior in the field of music who has made exemplary strides to lead the community in positive changemaking advocacy,” the show’s consulting producer Datwon Thomas said in a statement to Billboard.
“In partnership with a diverse committee of colleagues at MRC and our cultural inclusion committee, BLAC, we selected Killer Mike for his contributions to the current movement and culture and his tangible efforts to make national and grassroots change.”
Part of Killer Mike’s legacy of activism and advocacy over the past two decades has been focused on Black entrepreneurship, and he has long been an educator on financial responsibility.
“Killer Mike’s dedication to equality, social justice and financial literacy in the Black community has catapulted him as a headlining figure of social responsibility and activism, as demonstrated in the wake of the slayings of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Rayshard Brooks,” a press release on the award read.
Killer Mike acknowledged the honor in a tweet, saying he was “humbled” by the award and revealing that it would be presented to him by Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. The awards show itself will be hosted by Kelly Clarkson and held at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, though Killer Mike’s award will be given by Bottoms from the African American Panoramic Experience Museum in Atlanta.
The news of the Change Maker Award comes on the heels of Killer Mike, whose real name is Michael Render, announcing his newest venture Greenwood—a mission-driven digital bank that aims to provide financial services to Black and Latinx communities and give back through charity initiatives.
Greenwood is a partnership between Render and former Atlanta mayor Andrew J. Young and Bounce TV founder Ryan Glover.
“I’m a product of Black banking—there’s never been a time in my life I did not have a Black bank account,” Render said in a statement.
“I’ve been very open and forthcoming in telling people keep your major account, especially if you travel and that makes you comfortable, but make sure your secondary, if not your primary account, is [at] a Black financial institution because it strengthens those institutions. Those institutions will be there for us.”
