Killer Mike and Activision Team Up for Explosive Collaboration on “Detonator” Music Video for Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6

Rap Icon Delivers a Blistering Anthem of Rebellion and Power in a Gritty Visual Tribute to the Highly Anticipated Game

In a strategic move that intertwines the visceral energy of hip-hop with the adrenaline-fueled world of first-person shooters, Activision has partnered with Grammy-Award-winning rapper Killer Mike to promote the highly anticipated Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6. The collaboration, facilitated by the creative agency Mutiny, a Trailer Park Group company, culminates in a hard-hitting music video for Killer Mike’s latest track, “Detonator,” which debuted today.

The video release follows a tantalizing cold-open at Call of Duty’s annual fan event, Call of Duty: NEXT, held in Washington, DC, where the track’s potent lyrics reverberated through the nation’s capital. Produced by EL-P, Killer Mike’s longtime collaborator and one-half of the acclaimed duo Run the Jewels, “Detonator” marks their first joint venture since 2020. It’s a track that not only underscores the tension and intrigue of Black Ops 6 but also resonates with real-world political undertones, making it more than just a promotional tool—it’s a cultural statement.

Set against the gritty backdrop of 90s Washington, DC, the monochrome music video is a masterclass in visual storytelling. Killer Mike, known for his fierce and unapologetic lyrical style, delivers a performance that echoes the game’s themes of power, corruption, and rebellion. The video, brimming with rapid-fire cuts and symbolic imagery, sees Mike rallying the oppressed, his words a rallying cry against the manipulative forces of authority. The streets, screens, and monuments of DC become his stage, a canvas upon which the game’s dark narrative is painted in stark, black-and-white hues.

Tyler Bahl, SVP and head of Activision marketing, encapsulated the essence of the collaboration: “Call of Duty has transcended the gaming world, seeping into broader culture, particularly music and hip-hop. With Black Ops 6, Killer Mike was the perfect artist to channel the game’s complex themes of control and resistance into something both the game’s fans and the wider world could feel.”