ONE of the most militant hip hop artists in America today is performing in Birmingham next week.

Critically acclaimed and politically outspoken Killer Mike will be bringing a slice of Atlanta to The Rainbow on Tuesday, February 12.

The heavyweight rapper has had spats with everyone from Oprah Winfrey to the Black Entertainment Network which banned his songs for being too political.

As the rest of hip hop disappeared into the world of boasting about bling Killer Mike remains true to the Gil Scott Heron tradition of the genre.

Rapping with conviction about all kinds of subjects over Brooklyn style beats the Atlanta man’s appeal has caught the attention of this side of the pond.

However, he has had mainstream success appearing on the Grammy Award winning song The Whole World and has collaborated with Jay Z, TI, Talib Kweli, Immortal Technique, MOP and many more.

Last year’s R.A.P Music album, his sixth, was included in Rolling Stone and Time magazines’ Best Albums of 2012 list and his live performances often get rave reviews.

His visit to Birmingham is part of a European tour which is taking in Sweden, Germany and Norway.

Killer Mike is at The Rainbow, Digbeth, Birmingham on Tuesday, February 12, tickets £11.