Run The Jewels may have began as some spontaneous idea between two talented, veteran musicians, but the unlikely pairing of Killer Mike and El-P quickly blossomed into more than the sum of its parts. In 2014, the Drake’s, Pusha T’s, and J.Cole’s unsurprisingly blessed fans with replay-value gems, but Run The Jewels’ debut effort rapidly rose to the ranks of Album of The Year qualifications across the board. The secret is out now—Killer Mike and El-P have carved out a shrewd niche of their own, and defying the laws of musical gravity, the stakes are raised even further with their latest project.
The egotistic pairing of KIller Mike and El-P are welcoming the challenge, undergoing the seemingly impossible task of raising their blitzkrieg social onslaught to new heights. “Jeopardy” commences with a vigorous Killer Mike flow, as he expertly navigates through El-P’s intermittent synth stabs, samples, and fluctuating drum patterns, again witnessed on “All Due Respect” featuring Travis Barker. Like Madlib, an El-P instrumental is much more than a product of repetitive loops and drowning 808 kicks, making the task of rhyming over them exceedingly difficult for most emcees. But Run The Jewels’ inherent chemistry makes the whole process seem flawless, as is the case with the engaging, vacillating flows of Killer Mike on “Jeopardy.” “Blockbuster Night Part 1” commences with a gritty, heavy metal aura as Killer Mike exponentially showcases his high-octane pugnacity with myriad quotes: “Last album voodoo, proved that we was fucking brutal / I’m talking crazy, half past the clock is cuckoo / You rappers doo-doo, baby shit, just basic doo-doo.” The pair employ the Meth-and-Red strategy, passing their mic patons back and forth to solidify one of the most standout tracks from the album.
With a plethora of critically acclaimed solo albums to his credit, it’s almost an afterthought when Killer Mike gets busy so to speak, but El-P has received criticism in the past for not strictly employing his talents behind the boards. Throughout RTJ2 he holds his own rhyming alongside a superior wordsmith. On “Oh My Darling Don’t Cry,” ever the aggressor, El-P rifles off dynamic bars with a permanent supply of stamina: “Fuck the world, don’t ask me for shit / That’s word to Big / I dreamt we owned the world but I woke up and it don’t exist.” On that note, Killer Mike is simply dazzling on “Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck)” but El-P proves a worthy counterpart, offering: “I wear my Yankee so tilted I actually walk with a hunch / Look at Mikey, I think he likey, we are sinister sons.”
As he transitioned from Dungeon Family protege to an artistically menacing artist in his own right, Killer Mike has blossomed into the neo-Ice Cube of our times, an emcee with no qualms about targeting the injustices of the world in strikingly uncensored fashion. This angry-black man, lethal-injection happy sentiment meshes well with the conspiracy theorist minded, perennially pessimistic mentality of El-P. Further buttressing their vexed probing is El-P’s high-wattage instrumentals. The entire package is evidenced on “Lie Cheat Steal,” in which both parties mix comedic illustrations with poignant social commentary, bypassing the holier-than-thou dogmatic treatise route. But arguably most impressive is the instances where the duo cool their righteous political penetration in favor of good ol’ fashioned shit-talk. With “All My Life,” El-P interpolates a screwed sample, smooth backdrop vocals, and one his best lyrical performances to date: “Step armed heavy and he brought Mike / Never step light, no fair fights.” However, it’s Killer Mike’s performance on “Early” that most solidifies his status as provocateur as he ejects a narrative-rich, scathing attack on police corruption in the U.S.
Although the duo’s mass appeal is not beholden to one particular weapon of choice, on “Crown,” both Killer Mike and El-P give credence to why they are such a dynamic creative force. Instead of relying on contrived plotlines, both emcees manifest graphic tales to take listeners on a journey via their personal obstacles. The duo arguably save the best for last with “Angel Duster,” where Run The Jewels verbally relay the artistic impetus that drives their dynamism. It’s a rare feat indeed when artists can skirt the lines between keen musings and dome-nodding instrumentals. As the chorus on “Angel Duster” implies, RTJ is here for the masses, despite the fact the duo will most likely never see the lights of Top 40 radio. Regardless of the terrible decisions of disc jockeys worldwide, one can comfortably expect the group to continue to probe societal issues most rappers shy away from all the while abstaining from the mundane sonic approaches of their contemporaries—but most importantly, make scintillating music in the process.
most people dont know the deal and have weak taste or accept more than they should as being really dope. album reviewers everywhere that know about a tenth of what i know about albums, production and rapping makes me sick. any arm chair rap fan can set themselves up as a credible authority but dosnt mean they are.!album is o.k. but the production is nothing compared to el-p’s solo albums and on 4 of the songs it ventures way too far into a more alternative sound with the singing, slow beats and synths that sound a bit cheesy. album lacks intensity and has 2 pretty shittty tracks but the stans gonna jock!
run the jewels- 4.5/5
run the jewels 2- 4/5
dont get so caught up in the hype, the artwork and the bells and whistles.
And what makes you any different from “armchair rap fans”? You go on a tirade about how you know so much more, then offer no reasons and just give your own opinion like literally every single reviewer does. Review = opinion. You have a review. Unless you’re actually an established hip hop act, your opinion holds no more weight than any other hip hop-listening reviewer.
Not only that, your words seem to indicate that the album is average at best and that people should get caught up in the hype of the album, yet give it a 4/5, only half a mark less than the HipHopDX review. You mention problems with six of the 11 songs, yet offer no insight beyond “cheesy” and “shitty.” You don’t even name the songs. If anything, your review sucks.
everything you just said is false. i gave some solid reasons- dont have all day. been living hip hop for 25 years. most fans have no knowledge of production, song writing, mixing, the industry etc. -I DO- so don’t cry cause i’m a more legitimate fuckin opinion than most of these half assed reviewers and corny unaware follower false idol worshipping fans.. I have been an established act in the past and worked with many others. I’m a rapper, producer, Dj for over 20 years and have studied the culture and been an active part in it,have sold thousands of albums.
gutterman is full of shit.
the truth hurts pussy
been a better bad guy than i been better than bad
big el-p fan – just expect a lot more. i’d give the album a 4/5 since it is creative production wise and pretty original and the lyrics, substance and passion is all there. chemistry is really good. they both kill it on the mic in every way. just want el producto to keep it more raw and less melodic and sing songy like all his previous work for the most part. shit like “weareallgoingtoburninhell pt.3” murks any beats he’s made for RTJ. plus he’s getting alot of help from his ghost producer Shalimar it seems on like 9 tracks. dont like that. i like producers who do it all themselves- that way you now what they did.
Except for Jaime’s occasional ’emo’ nods, these fuckers own rap; only Heltah Skeltah come close for duos and their production isn’t always the best.
4.5/5 is the correct answer.
hahahahaha. heltah skeltah and there 2 albums- the greatest duo ever?!funniest thing ive heard in a while . you must not know much about hip hop.
best duo heltah skeltah?? what about pete rock and c.l. smooth??
Album of the year so far, and given away for FREE too! I’ve had it on repeat since Friday and there’s not a bad track to be found. #RTJ
not one bad track? gangsta boo track is terrible- objectively!
Best rap album this year, so far
5/5
Fire!
4.5/5
Not sure what the hype around them is, it’s solid but could be better.
Great album. I like it better than the first one.
Great fucking album!
Not sure what the hype is from people about their two Run the Jewels albums. It’s not bad but you’d think this was some revolutionary classic shit getting dropped by the way kats are reviewing them. Production is solid, lyrics are solid but nothing we haven’t heard before and not crazy complexity to them really.
The hype is for a legit 4/4.5 out of 5 album. How many other rappers or groups dropping shit of this quality? Beats are hard, punchlines potent and hilarious, and best of all, NO DUMBING DOWN the lyrics!
This album is cold as hell.
disgusting bro
It may be better than the first, if that’s even possible 5/5
AOTY
Nice
beats are nasty
This is the best album of 2014 hands down.
the 10 comments below this one are all the same guy. most of em.
A lotta you new to the El Producto milieu…
kk kk kkk kk kkk kkkk kkkkklasic
Dope, these 2 always bring it
5 stars
4.5 stars rounded up to 5. Not as good as the first RTJ…but that shouldn’t be a reason to still give it a good rating. Killer Mike shines on this album. El-P shines on the beats. Great combination of styles. Anyone who says Hip Hop is dead…clearly hasn’t listened to RTJ!
it seems like most people liked this album based on most of the comments…so why is the average user rating only 2? Probably some mainstream garbage rap fans who want some niki minaj or bobby schmurda
HHDX’s rating system is broken, as usual.
well I’ll have you know I like both rtj AND bobby shmurda, what you gonna do now huh
nice review but I gotta say I disagree about Killer Mike being a superior wordsmith to El-P
I’m here for progression…
Good Album
Great Album
Nice Album
Excellent Album
Super Album
Terrific Album
real good, not as good as the first.
Great. 5.
Great music
fucking great album, i actually prefer it to the first at this early point…
Even more loud, bold, and ambitious than their first album. One of the best of the year.
FIRE!
Hip Hip how it’s supposed to be done
Pure DOPE and you should bump this shit like they do in the future. Cant wait for Meow the Jewels
Fire
This is what I call a fucking phenomenal follow-up to an already dope record.
A needle in the hay stack. 2014 has been a lack lustre year for hip hop. Sure we’ve had a few excellent projects such as Oxymoron, Pinata, Under Pressure, Nobody’s Smiling, but RTJ2 really stands out sonically and lyrically. The next level up from RTJ1 and comparable to RAP Music.
shits bangin
Only GREAT rap album of 2014
You must not have heard “Pinata” by Freddie Gibbs and Madlib
wrong. theres 4 better ones
It’s been a weak year, but Freddie and Madlib was awesome as previously mentioned. Cormega was nice too. Shit there is a decent amount of strong releases, but not GREAT…
Don’t sleep on my boy Razzy with his new apollo brown joint that just dropped.
BEST RAP DUOS
Run The Jewels
Heltah Skeltah
Meth & Red (talent wise, maybe if they smoked less weed they’d write better songs).
This judgement is based on having two dope MCs, not a DJ + MC, fuckface.
Outkast and Mobb Deep tho
pete rock raps on the albums- dick wrinkle punk
there are waaay too many great MC duo combinations that are awesome. You may be a elitist snob who needs to seem cool by only listening to “real shit”, but down south has had some great duos as well. 8Ball & MJG and UGK off the top of my head. Maybe if I can find a fuck to give, I’ll come back when I’m sober and list shit on & on.
But as far as best duos go, I’m not gonna argue with any on your list. For real though JRich has a point with his post too though.
UGK & Mobb Deep & RTJ get extra props though cause Havoc, Pimp C & El-P are/were killer beat makers.
Fuckin Bad Meets Evil too man. haha
Outerspace was cool for a while in the mid 00’s.
I could go on and on but i’ll stop now
company flow
epmd
heavy metal kings
a tribe called quest
tha alkaholiks
m.o.p.
jedi mind tricks
@ Gutter Man
I was just outside smoking and thought of the comment I left and couldn’t believe I forgot mothafuckin’ EPMD!!
Fuck me. I might have to do some research through my library to find more shit I forgot, jesus.
** Technically all the other groups you mentioned weren’t duos (besides Heavy Metal Kings) . I thought of a few of those but:
Tha Alkaholiks- 3 members
Company Flow- 3 members (don’t forget Mr. Len)
Tribe- 3 members, even more at a time
With an official producer/dj as a member I don’t believe it applies as a duo. Which is why I didn’t list Run-DMC. And hell even Swollen Members and Jedi Mind Tricks- great music/ times for a growing adolescent wigger.
Listening to Down With The King by Run-DMC dope ass Pete Rock verse.
Ohh Shit – Tha Dogg Pound!!
Hmm I know there are more artists that released great duo records together for a prolonged period of time. No one off shit. (Or else E-40 & Too $hort)
I might be back
The user rating system is clearly broken. Stats get stuck after the first vote.
Classic album!!
sex
9/10
This is the perfect merger of two artists at the top of each of their respective games. Not only are El and Mike spitting some of the best verses they have in their entire careers, but El-P production is the best it has ever been.
top 5 of 2014 (most likely-2 months left)
1- Prince Po- Animal Serum
2-Step Brothers- Lord steppington
3-Black Milk- If theres a hell below
4-Pharoahe Monch- PTSD
5-Run the Jewels 2
6-Ras Kass and Apollo Brown- Blasphemy
7-Madlib- Rock Konducta (2 disc)
8- Army of the Pharoahs- Heavy Lies the crown
9-Azaia -Re-animators
10-Diamond District- March on washigton
cormega -mega philosophy is dope too
You forgot to mention Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Pinata and Skyzoo & Torae – Barrel Brothers
a truly amazing listen. el-p is a sonic genius. incredible production.
Nice just like the first one, 4/5. I’m not working for promotion company, I know what a classic is and I don’t let the period determine the ratings like these people on here that got 8 albums ranked as classics this month alone. They built upon the original and it’s fire. sold 4/5
agree
Straight up banger from start to finish hip hop album of the year hands down! RUN THE JEWELS
If you hate on this album, you don’t know hip hop.
solid album. a must have. probably the most important rap group out right now.
4/5
Dope. hardcore hip hop
Run the fucking JEWELS!!! Oh My Darling is one of THEE most neck-breaking, headbanging beats I’ve heard in a looooong time… makes you wanna punch a fuckboy right in the mouth!
thank God for Adult Swim for introducing these two, i cant even imagine life without them together. I always knew OF Killer Mike but never got into him. I was ALWAYS an El-P fan tho, since Co Flow… but man, Killer Mike is hands down THEE best live Hip Hop performance I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen him 3 times now, haha.
Run them Jewels FAST!
this album fire
crazy shit…
is your site having a seizure, servers being hacked or are you just conspiring- removing comments.
DOPE!!!
Great album
Great sequel
fire
Not as good as r.a.p. music but definitely a dope addition to the trilogy. Mike has been on my top five since he dropped the pledge series and I been a fan since monster so it’s nice to see him getting love finally after all these years.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
AOTY
I love it. Can’t stop listening
all day
Weak af, HHDX dropped the bawl
This one’s closer to 5 than 4, and since there’s no 4.5, I’ll be rounding up!
ONE TIME FOR THE PILL AND THE REEFER MAN
yo
dope
Great album. RTJ1 was better though.
great album
Why the hell everyone giving such butthurt ratings? Don’t deny it you know this bangs!!!
Dope shizz. Last album had a few hit or miss tracks but this one goes Jamon.
Had high expectations, even those have been completely blown away. Album of the year so far
Easily one of the best albums of this year
I had the 1st album. It was good. The beats and the overall feeling of the album was very different than the rest of Hip Hop albums. Im gettin this for sure.
dope
classic
Straight nasty
4/5 for me. really good songs on there but too many slower beats with singing hooks and synths that sound too alternative/electronic. with his past couple releases el-p has been veering too far into overly melodic, sing songy choruses etc for my taste. compared to the el-producto who always came with more intense, dissonant, harder , darker beats. Drums are too weak on most songs, track with gangsta boo is wet garbage, features are weak to me, 1st track is an anti climax, blockbuster night 1 is too repetitive and underwhelming. so a few issues hold this back from being 5/5 or aoty but its a must have. im my top 5 of 2014 for sure. lyrics, content, chemistry of rappers is all there. most of the beats are superior to 99% of what else is out there.
From reading the middle of your “review” you’d think it was a 2/5 … how are you listening to it, on your computer speakers? If you think Zack De La Rocha and Gangsta Boo are weak features, I’m surprised you even like RTJ
album is crazy
solid
Incredibly heavy.
these 2 will go down alongside ANY rap duo in history by the time they finished…breath taking album,
Awesome, incredible. craziest album I’ve heard all year. I LOVE IT and so should you.
Potential Album of the Year for sure.
A great sequel to the infamous run the jewels
dope album. heavy as fuck.
http://www.mixcloud.com/21faces/pain-cave-bass-slave/
An unofficial El-P mix in preparation for Run The Jewels 2, featuring Killer Mike, Aesop Rock, Ill Bill, UGK, Gucci Mane, Slaughterhouse, SA Smash, Mr. Muthaf*ckin eXquire, Das Racist, Cage, Dizzee Rascal, NIN, Warpaint, MF Doom, Bigg Jus, Nocando, Mr Lif, and many more
I enjoyed the new Young Thug/Rich Homie/Birdman mixtape more than this
You must be either 15 or have a poor taste in music saying that type of bs?
This is legitimately the best album of the year so far
sick
An excellent sequel!
BY FAR the best rap album of the year, that’s what happens when talented dudes actually work together as a TEAM, pushing each other, not this e-mail your verses and beats bullshit
Wtf? The user rating is a 2??? This is the best rap release this year by far.
obnoxious, hard, dark, sad , joyful, big, fast and heartfelt. Really detailed and textured album with so much chemistry between el-p and killer mike
Dope
Grows on ya the more you listen like the first
As with any album, reallyOnes we end up liking, at least…
Best album of the year.
best album this year
it’s awesome.
extraordinary album El-p is a genius
Album of the Year by a fricken mile..nothing tops it
fck you fck boys! AOTY
Sickest duo out.
Not As Nice As Their Debut
Unbelievable, AOTY no doubt
Aoty
This shit is more “Southern” sounding than the first. The beats are more trap-ish than the first album. No question though, there is nothing that comes even close to “Banana Clipper” from their debut. That beat and song is fuckin disgusting. Nothing comes even remotely close!
brilliant CD Hip Hop release of the year. EL-P’s beats are as usually different but still great. He and Killer Mike make a great pairing
This album is my shit
I hereby revoke all credit I gave to these younguns getting over on post-kanye “introspection,” Kendrick multiples, and drake crooning. Give me two super angry, shit-talking motherfuckers on a bonkers beat over “tortured soul” struggle/triumph (c)rap any day!
Bangin
Album of the year
I honestly think its better then the first. Which I was not expecting at all. Great album
Fix the ratings thing, y’all.
This album is fantastic. So good that I had to pay for it. I hope Killer Mike and El-P will be making music together for a long time. Definitely what the game needs.
fix your voting system dx
2nd year in a row RTJ has put out the best album of the year. Can’t wait for Meow the Jewels
not nearly as good as the first album but not horrible
dope as fuck
So good.
Really tho! Hiphop DX has their rating system FIXED so they can promote all these weak ass sellout artists and make it seem like they got 5 star reviews when in reality we know where the real ratings are. FUCK COMMERCIAL RAP NIGGA!
DOPE. AS FUUUUCK.
gangster boo made me fall in love again
RTJ2
Killer Mike and El-P with album of the the year 3 years straight.
It is amazing.
Hard #classic
This is what I’ve been waiting for. Been said before, but it needs to be repeated: DOPE. AS. FUCK.
Raw beats, tight lyrics.
The streak these fellas are on is ridiculous. AOTY fo sho.
DOPE
Album of the year!
BANGER!
just too rawwwwww
Great hip hop album. Album of the year?
dope
classic
dope
One of the best releases this year…EL-P and Kila Kill have a chemistry that only a small handful of people have…(OutKast or Jada and Styles)
omg so good lol
v
Album of the year..so far
very entertaining
Who the fuck gave this album a 2 out of 5? Whoever it was, that person doesn’t like hip hop.
dope as fuck
Album of the year, already lookin forward 2 RTJ3
What deaf ass person is giving this a rating of 2.00? It’s 5 stars to me… This was a classic just like the last one…
judgin by the ratings on this album…..hiphop is in danger cuz the fans suck as now
5 stars, bro
so the only one who can vote now is working for DX? How do you explain 187 comments and only one person voting? And 2 stars? What is up DX? I used to be able to vote on this shit.
yes
Agreed, this album is bonkers from front to back, but I gotta call BS on the idea that Killer Mike is simply a “superior wordsmith” and that EL-P merely “Holds his own” on this record. Killer Mike is dope because his lyrics are direct and easy to digest plus his emphasis is unmatched. El-P though, is a superior technician when it comes to patterns, density of meanings, and vivid abstractions up there with the likes of Lupe fiasco or Aesop Rock. The juxtaposition of their styles is what make them dope and you can tell they borrow from each other on their joints together. Killer Mike is a little more abstract than usual and El-P is a little more direct. I’ve been listening to EL-P since Funcrusher Plus (yes, i had that shit on Tape and CD) and never once did I think “Man, this EL-P dude is just aight.” More like “I’m not quite sure if I get it, but damn that verse was fucking dope.” Even after ten listens, you still have to study his verses and the dope ass beats make it so much more enjoyable. So together they are a force to be reckoned with. Fuckboiii’s beware, RTJ are gunning for you.
Yeah, I don’t see how anyone thinks El-P isn’t lyrically advanced more than just able to ‘hold his own’.
Excellent project! Can’t wait for the 3rd installment
One of the best of the year!
Who the fuck disabled rating? All the love in the comments and only 1 person voted? Bullshit.
Classic they are definitely making great music
5/5 Classic Album
fgdgdgd
This will be making my top 5. Great album.
bruh
sick as fuck
i liked the first one more. it’s still great though
Run The Jewels = best duo out today. Unless y’all can correct me
Hot fire.
5 Star Beats 5 Star Lyricism 5 Star Synergy Nuff said.
Who cares how it compares to the first. Enjoy the album for what it is.
Hard as fuck.
Beasty
Album of the year, hands down.
Beats are sick but mostly all the hooks suck
The hooks? Thats what you’re worried about? smh
fucking fire
10/10
Favorite album of 2014
You could say Mike is w better rapper but if you’re talking”wordsmith” look at El-P’s solo work, he’s definitely got the intricate lyrics.
Fucking amazing