Killer Mike was a vocal supporter of Bernie Sanders during the primary (and long after, as well) and, in a new interview with GQ, the former presidential hopeful and current US Senator had a goofily oblivious way of characterizing his initial reaction to Michael Render’s stage name. Here’s the relevant exchange:

But you did a good job finding unlikely interlocutors, like the Atlanta rapper Killer Mike, who became an outspoken supporter.
Killer Mike is a serious guy.

Exactly. Your web-video interview with him was fascinating.
It turns out that Killer Mike is an extremely bright guy.

I assume somebody had to explain to you who Killer Mike was.
Yes, they did. The name got me a little bit nervous. But Killer Mike has never killed anybody. It’s just, he’s a killer rapper.

He is indeed a killer rapper! Thanks for clarifying that one, Grandpa Bernie.