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Highlights

• Killer Mike's net worth is $5 million, which is relatively low compared to other musicians.
• He has spent a significant amount of money on his music career, including paying $500,000 for his sixth solo album "Michael."
• Killer Mike invests his money in real estate and owns three barbershops in Atlanta.

Whether releasing solo music or with Jaime Meline/El-P under the name Run the Jewels, Killer Mike (Michael Santiago Render) has been part of the industry for a long time. He also cleaned up at the 2024 Grammy Awards, which was well-deserved. Ever since the first Grammys in 1959, this has been the music industry's most talked about event. People always obsess over the performances and the youngest Grammy winners and the most impressive Grammy Awards fashion.

However, sometimes behind-the-scenes drama or viral moments overshadow the actual winners. Killer Mike won three Grammy Awards: Best Rap Performance for "Scientists and Engineers," Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Album. But, according to The Guardian, Killer Mike was arrested that same night. The publication noted that he allegedly got into a fight backstage and that he was being held for "misdemeanor battery." This news has led to a renewed interest in his long career and his net worth.

Why Does Killer Mike Have A Low Net Worth?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Killer Mike has a $5 million net worth. Since many bands and singers have net worths that are in the hundreds of millions, that seems fairly low.

This could be because, while Killer Mike has likely made money from six albums, he has also spent money putting his music out into the world. According to The Financial Times, he actually paid for his sixth solo album, "Michael," himself. The album cost him $500,000.

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As the rapper told The Financial Times:

“At about a quarter of a million dollars, my wife is going, what the f*ck is going on here? I’m making my dream happen!"

He continued that he made the album because "It’s a testimonial that I needed to make before I left the Earth. I wanted people to see the man, the whole human being.” It sounds like he was confident about paying for the album because he knew that this is the art that he wanted to create.

In his June 2023 cover story interview for Spin, Killer Mike talked about his career, including when he got a deal with Columbia Records. He explained that when his career was beginning, he sold 500,000 albums, which was low compared to some other rappers.

"My first record deal damaged me. It made me afraid, it pulled me back. I hadn't done terribly on the major. I just, you know, I came out the same year as 50 [Cent] selling 10 million f*cking records. I sold, you know, 500,000.”

As Spin noted, Killer Mike released "mixtapes" that were essentially albums in the mid-to-late 2000s. While they were independent releases, he did well because he got the word out. He paid for XXL Magazine advertisements and performed. Then he and El-P began performing as Run the Jewels, the duo that people still love today.

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While it's unclear exactly how much money Killer Mike has made from his sixth album "Michael," he might see a rise in album sales thanks to the exposure he has gotten for his three Grammy Awards. He also went on tour with the album in the summer of 2023 and would have earned money from ticket sales.

Killer Mike's Solo Albums

• "Monster" (2003)
• "I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind" (2006)
• "I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II" (2008)
• "Pledge" (2011)
• "R.A.P. Music" (2012)
• "Michael" (2023)

What Does Killer Mike Spend His Net Worth On?

Since Killer Mike is thoughtful about his money, it's interesting to look at how he spends his $5 million net worth. While he has mentioned buying a lot of cars, he has also talked about investing in real estate.

As he explained in an interview on My Expert Opinion, Killer Mike said, “When I got that first $60,000 check off rap music, I bought my first investment property. I said If I wanna be free I gotta be free. I have to figure something else out. I can’t keep begging a record company to believe in these radical Black ideas. Eventually, you have to become these ideas.”

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In a 2023 interview with The Source, Killer Mike discussed generational wealth and said "first own a piece of land, because that’s something that allows you to get a loan. That’s something that allows you to leave something for your children. We still own every home my grandparents own, I bought my daughter a house in the same one."

Killer Mike also buys cars, as he explained in an interview with CNBC. He said that he “lives like a successful working class guy" and explained that he does save money, but he loves to purchase vehicles. He explained that he has six, but he drives his Dodge Hellcat every day. He said he has paid "Too much money, is what my wife tells me." While of course not buying six cars would result in having more money in the bank, he has talked about making sure to save money.

Killer Mike also bought a barbershop called The Swag Shop several years ago. He owns three barbershops in Atlanta, Georgia. Although these shops are another source of revenue for him besides music, these barbershops show that he cares about people and that he doesn't only think about making money.

According to an interview with Graham Bensinger, he shared that his accountant said he shouldn't do that. The rapper explained, "He didn't understand my vision for a barber shop, it's a place where you see guys feel at home."

Killer Mike talked a lot about the "community" that The Swag Shop is part of, and it's important to him to give back. According to CTV News, 160 children received haircuts for no cost in August 2022 before they began the new school year.

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