Run the Jewels is a collaboration between Brooklyn rapper/producer El-P and Atlanta rapper Killer Mike. These two first began working together in 2012 when El-P produced Killer Mike's most recent solo album, R.A.P Music. The duo then began a full collaboration with their self-titled album last year. The individual styles of El-P and Killer Mike complimented each other incredibly well on this debut album. It grew on me to become my album of 2013 and now one of my favorite albums of all time.
Now they are back, with their oh-so-creatively titled "Run the Jewels 2." This album delivers non-stop, high-intensity hip-hop from two artists who appear to be at their creative peak.
Many fans believe that RTJ2 is even better than their first album. There is more focus and more consistency in the energy levels. One of the largest problems with their debut was there were 3 tracks in a row ("Sea Legs," "Job Well Done," and "No Come Down") where the intensity was not at the level of the rest of the tracks. Run the Jewels 2 opens perfectly with Killer Mike shouting "I'm gonna bang this b**** the f*** out!" This line in "Jeopardy" sets the tone for the rest of the album. Killer Mike and El-P are have made it clear that they are here to dominate. The album even features a guest appearance from Zach De La Rocha of Rage Against the Machine.
Not every track is a Rage Against The Machine level head-banger, though. El-P shows off the variety of his production in tracks such as "Love Again." The beat is very grimy and the dirty lyrics match it perfectly. Meanwhile the track "Early" addresses the more serious topic of police brutality and corruption.
My favorite track on the album would have to be "Lie, Cheat, Steal." The verses start off slow in terms of both production and intensity of the flow. They gradually increase in energy leading all the way up to the Hook. The hook is a simple repetition of "Lie, Cheat, Steal, Win (Everybody's Doing It)" that somehow manages to be loud and funky simultaneously.
This record is all-around fantastic. I'm still not sure if I personally like it better then their debut but the general consensus of fans seems to be in favor of RTJ2. You can download it for free from their website here.
Run The Jewels is also playing in Atlanta at the Masquerade on Tuesday, November 4th. You can purchase your tickets here.
