El-P & Killer Mike make up RUN THE JEWELS
El-P from Brooklyn, NY –
After being a producer of a music group named Company Flow since 1993 (where he released “Juvenile Techniques” in 1993) , Jaime Meline broke off and started a label of his own, Def-Jux (Definitive Juxtaposition), which brought Aesop Rock’s “Labor Days” and the EL-P produced “The Cold Vein” by Cannibal Ox.
Between then and 2013, El-P has released a number of albums from his debut solo album “Fantastic Damage” (which was received with critical acclaim) to his 2012 official third studio album, “Cancer 4 Cure”.
Killer Mike – Atlanta, GA –
Getting his feet into the water in the mid-90s, he met Big Boi of OutKast. Michael Render had his musical debut on the track “Snappin’ & Trappin” from the 2000 album “Stankonia” by OutKast. He also appeared on “Poppin’ Tags” on Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint 2”.
In 2003, Killer Mike released his debut album “Monster” which featured artists like OutKast and Slimm Calhoun. The album was featured on many different mediums from video games to commercials. His official second album came in 2006, “I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind”, which led to “R.A.P Music II” which was planned to be released and produced by EL-P.
RUN THE JEWELS
2013 led to the release of the free “Run the Jewels” LP on A-Trak’s Fool’s Gold Records. The RTJ LP landed universal acclaim. Chris Coplan of Consequence of Sound wrote “Sure, Jay and Ye are probably friends, maybe even with secret, $100,000 matching bracelets that say “Besties 4 Life”. But, on record, their relationship felt mostly lopsided and uneven. Run the Jewels, on the other hand, is the very synthesis of El-P and Mike’s shared admiration and cohesive worldviews, an effort of the purest collaboration and mutual understanding.” Their sound was raw and angry which is exactly what 2013 needed. Their fast lyrics and strong points make a very cohesive and legitimate album of music. From “Job Well Done (feat. Until the Ribbon Breaks)” to “Ddfn” the entire album is a full underground journey through what makes the rap game tick.
After the success of their first album, El-P & Killer Mike decided to continue their rise to the top of the rap tower with their second album “Run the Jewels 2”. Released in 2014, RTJ 2 had features by Travis Barker and Boots and brought even more of what everyone wanted in a second Run the Jewels album. Starting with “Jeopardy” just brings you back into the dark crime-ridden world of Run the Jewels.
I’m very very excited to see them for the first time tonight at Republic in New Orleans!
So definitely check them out if you haven’t heard them and support and spread the beautiful tunes!!
