Album: Run the Jewels
Artist: Run the Jewels
Genre: Hardcore Hip-hop
8.3/10
Killer Mike and El-P are two rappers who are much bigger than they seem. El-P has been producing experimental and innovative hip-hop for over a decade and Killer Mike won a Grammy on his first verse ever on Outkast's "The Whole World". However it wasn't until they both released their most popular and critically acclaimed albums last year (El-P's made it up pretty high on my Best of 2012 list) that they returned to the spotlight. Hoping to plant themselves in this light, El-P and Killer Mike have collaborated to release a free full-length album. And it looks like they're here to stay.
The album draws heavily from the styles of their last two records. El-P's distinctive dark, grimy production is near-replicated here, and Killer Mike retains his ferocity from R.A.P. Music for the most part. The real difference on this album is the coordination between Killer Mike and El-P. On each track they each take a shorter amount of time to deliver their thoughts, which leads to an exciting, frantic, yet controlled result. "Banana Clipper" feature's Outkast's Big Boi on the opening and closing verses with each rapper bringing short and not-so-sweet anecdotes. On 'Get It" they both deliver stellar rhythmic performances built around a heavily manipulated "South Bronx" sample. They bring their signature dark humor alongside Prince Paul's interpretation of Chest Rockwell on "Twin Hype Back". (The track features Prince Paul spiking a girl's Mountain Dew with a half gram of molly). This relationship does change song to song, however. "DDFH" and "Sea Legs" allows Killer Mike and El-P to take their time and really work with the beats, which are really something else.
El-P dials it back somewhat on this album, but many of these tracks have some awesome components. "Sea Legs" transitions from atmospheric to lamentful with it's intricate synth work. "DDFH" is a crunchy, busy, and scary song. "Job Well Done" brings a tapestry of elements and Southern rap influences that makes it most thug-tastic track. It also features some crazy scratching and a dolphin sample. Songs like the opener and closer feature more restrained and spacious production, which allows the rappers to shine, but denies the listener that WOW factor of 'Get It", "Job Well Done", and "Banana Clipper".
This is a killer album. Perhaps not as great as their previous work, but great nonetheless. It's also a huge testament to their talent and their deserved success. Do yourself a favor and download it. It's free, goddammit. 8.3 jewels out of 10.
http://consequenceofsound.net/2013/06/download-el-p-and-killer-mikes-run-the-jewels/
FAVE TRACKS: Banana Clipper, DDFH, Job Well Done, Get It
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