NPR Music

Atlanta rapper Michael Santiago Render, known professionally as Killer Mike, released his sixth album this month. It's called R.A.P. Music. The album's title isn't about hip-hop, per se, but refers to an acronym tweeted by another Georgian, a critic named Maurice Garland, two years ago. "He just put it up randomly: 'Rap music is supposed to be Rebellious African People,' " Killer Mike told Morning Edition. "I said, 'Yo, i'm naming my next album that.' "

You can hear a portion of the show's interview with Killer Mike at the audio link, but keep reading for more.

The New York City roots band Ollabelle makes its third appearance on Mountain Stage with songs from its first new studio album in five years, Neon Blue Bird. Formed in 2001 in a small bar on the Lower East Side, the group quickly became one of the most popular acts on the Americana music and festival circuit.