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Arriving earlier than expected as both a global pandemic and a nationwide movement against police brutality gripped the United States, RTJ4 distills the anger and frustration of the people through Run the Jewels' hard-hitting, no-nonsense revolution anthems. Trim with no filler, this fourth set from the outspoken duo provides relevant history lessons that are more useful than a classroom textbook. Rousing and lyrically dexterous, Killer Mike and El-P deliver their densest collection yet, balancing clever bon mots with tongue-twisting screeds decrying police brutality, systemic racism, class injustice, and a litany of other ills plaguing the nation. RTJ4 rarely strays from the intensely political; when it does, the duo shine with boastful quips and chest-thumping bravado, loosely weaving their "Yankee and the Brave" personas -- alluding to the baseball teams from their respective home bases -- with production that merges old-school hip-hop nostalgia with aggressively sharp contemporary stylings. BOOTS and Dave Sitek return for the very RTJ-titled "Holy Calamafuck," a menacing attack that's bested only by the clattering "Goonies vs. E.T.," which sounds like a Prodigy track without the techno breakbeat. Additional guests include 2 Chainz on the breathless "Out of Sight"; DJ Premier and Greg Nice on the "DWYCK"-sampling "Ooh La La"; and Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire on the neon dystopia of "Never Look Back." Meanwhile, an unlikely pair join forces on the swirling "Pulling the Pin," with Josh Homme's ghostly wails and Mavis Staples' pained cries creating an RTJ-meets-...Like Clockwork doomscape that pushes back against a power structure that allows for "filthy criminals...at the pinnacle." On album highlight "JU$T," "poet pugilist" Zack de la Rocha and Pharrell Williams join the fight by contributing popping production and a condensed socio-economic lecture, pulling back the curtain to reveal "murderous chokehold cops still earning a living" and "all these slave masters posing on your dollars." On "Walking in the Snow," Mike, El-P and Gangsta Boo tackle the American school-to-prison pipeline and those "chokehold cops," directly invoking the spirit of Eric Garner -- who was killed by Staten Island police in 2014 as he pleaded, "I can't breathe" -- and unwittingly honoring George Floyd, whose murder under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer prompted protests across the globe and pushed RTJ4's early release. Bringing the past and present full circle, Mike reminds listeners to "never forget in the story of Jesus, the hero was killed by the state." Much like reality, the raw and unflinching RTJ4 is a lot to take in, both a balm for the rage and fuel to keep the fire burning. Although eerily prescient, RTJ4 is less prophetic and more a case of deja vu, addressing the endemic issues of a broken country that sadly continue. This has all happened before and, as El-P laments, this is the "same point in history back to haunt us."
© Neil Z. Yeung /TiVo
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Michael Render, Composer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Vocals, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, Vocals, MainArtist - Nick Hook, Engineer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer, Producer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Trackstar The DJ, Scratching - Gary Purohit, Engineer - Wilder Schrwartz, Producer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Greg Mays, Composer, Performance - Michael Render, Composer, Vocals - Christopher Martin, Composer, Performance - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Keith Elam, Composer, Performance - DJ Premier, FeaturedArtist - Jaime Meline, Composer, Vocals - EL-P, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, MainArtist - Greg Nice, FeaturedArtist - Nick Hook, Engineer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer, Producer - Daryl Barnes, Composer, Performance - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer, Producer - Carl Bespolka, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Leon Sylvers, Composer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, Vocals, MainArtist - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - 2 Chainz, FeaturedArtist - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Trackstar The DJ, Scratching - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer - Tausheed Epps, Composer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Cutty Ranks, Instruments - Boots, Producer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, Vocals, MainArtist - Dave Sitek, Composer, Producer - Philip Thomas, Composer - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Wilder Zoby Schwartz, Composer - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Jordan Asher Cruz, Composer - Jason Cruz, Composer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Trackstar The DJ, Scratching - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer - Theron "Uptown AP" Thomas, Additional Vocals - Z-Kicks, Instruments
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Stuart Bogie, Saxophone - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, Vocals, MainArtist - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Cutmaster Swiff, Scratching - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Lola Mitchell, Composer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, Vocals, MainArtist - Gangsta Boo, Instruments - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Zack De La Rocha, Composer, FeaturedArtist - Michael Render, Composer - Pharrell Williams, Composer, FeaturedArtist - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, Vocals, MainArtist - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Nick Hook, Engineer - Nicholas Ryan Gant, Additional Vocals - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, Vocals, MainArtist - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Mr. MFN eXquire, Instruments - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Wilder Zoby Schwartz, Composer - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Trackstar The DJ, Scratching - Hugh Anthony Allison, Composer - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, Vocals, MainArtist - Hugo Burnham, Composer - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Andrew Gill, Composer - David Geoffrey Allen, Composer - Jonathan King, Composer - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Wilder Zoby Schwartz, Composer - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Trackstar The DJ, Scratching - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Josh Homme, Composer, Producer, FeaturedArtist - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Mavis Staples, FeaturedArtist - Boots, Producer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, Vocals, MainArtist - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Jordan Asher Cruz, Composer - Jason Cruz, Composer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Matt Sweeney, Composer, Producer, Guitar, Additional Vocals - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Dana Lyn, Violin - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, Vocals, MainArtist - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - A$AP Ferg, Additional Vocals - Jeremy Wilms, String Arranger - Cochemea Gastelum, Saxophone - Danton Boller, Bass - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Wilder Zoby Schwartz, Composer - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Greg Mays, Composer, Performance - Michael Render, Composer - Christopher Martin, Composer, Performance - Lil Wayne, FeaturedArtist - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Keith Elam, Composer, Performance - DJ Premier, Scratching, FeaturedArtist - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, Vocals, MainArtist - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Greg Nice, FeaturedArtist - Nick Hook, Engineer - Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr., Composer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Daryl Barnes, Composer, Performance - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Recording - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer - Kevin Frias, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Zack De La Rocha, Composer, FeaturedArtist - Michael Render, Composer - Pharrell Williams, Composer, FeaturedArtist - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, Vocals, MainArtist - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Nick Hook, Engineer - Nicholas Ryan Gant, Vocals - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - What So Not, Remixer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Wilder Zoby Schwartz, Composer - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer - Kevin Frias, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, Vocals, MainArtist - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Trackstar The DJ, Scratching - Kevin Frias, Engineer - Misael Velis, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, Vocals, MainArtist - Hugo Burnham, Composer - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Andrew Gill, Composer - David Geoffrey Allen, Composer - Jonathan King, Composer - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Royal Blood, Remixer, FeaturedArtist - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Wilder Zoby Schwartz, Composer - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Trackstar The DJ, Scratching - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, MainArtist - Nick Hook, Engineer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer, Producer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Trackstar The DJ, Scratching - Gary Purohit, Engineer - Wilder Schrwartz, Producer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Greg Mays, Composer, Performance - Michael Render, Composer - Christopher Martin, Composer, Performance - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Keith Elam, Composer, Performance - DJ Premier, FeaturedArtist, Featured DJ - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, MainArtist - Nick Hook, Engineer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer, Producer - Daryl Barnes, Composer, Performance - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer, Producer - Carl Bespolka, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Leon Sylvers, Composer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, MainArtist - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Trackstar The DJ, Scratching - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer - Tausheed Epps, Composer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Cutty Ranks, Instruments - Boots, Producer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, MainArtist - Dave Sitek, Composer, Producer - Philip Thomas, Composer - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Wilder Zoby Schwartz, Composer - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Jordan Asher Cruz, Composer - Jason Cruz, Composer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Trackstar The DJ, Scratching - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer - Z-Kicks, Instruments
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Stuart Bogie, Saxophone - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, MainArtist - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Cutmaster Swiff, Scratching - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Lola Mitchell, Composer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, MainArtist - Gangsta Boo, Instruments - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Zack De La Rocha, Composer - Michael Render, Composer - Pharrell Williams, Composer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, MainArtist - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Wilder Zoby Schwartz, Composer - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, MainArtist - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Mr. MFN eXquire, Instruments - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Wilder Zoby Schwartz, Composer - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Trackstar The DJ, Scratching - Hugh Anthony Allison, Composer - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, MainArtist - Hugo Burnham, Composer - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Andrew Gill, Composer - David Geoffrey Allen, Composer - Jonathan King, Composer - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Wilder Zoby Schwartz, Composer - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Trackstar The DJ, Scratching - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Josh Homme, Composer, Producer - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Boots, Producer - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, MainArtist - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Wilder Zoby Schwartz, Composer - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Jordan Asher Cruz, Composer - Jason Cruz, Composer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Michael Render, Composer - Matt Sweeney, Composer, Producer, Guitar - Joe LaPorta, Engineer - Dana Lyn, Violin - Jaime Meline, Composer - EL-P, Producer, MainArtist - Joey Raia, Engineer - Killer Mike, MainArtist - Mat Lejeune, Engineer - Nick Hook, Engineer - Little Shalimar, Producer - Torbitt Schwartz, Composer - Jeremy Wilms, String Arranger - Cochemea Gastelum, Saxophone - Danton Boller, Bass - Run The Jewels, MainArtist - Wilder Zoby Schwartz, Composer - Taylor Jackson, Engineer - Leon Kelly, Engineer - Wilder Zoby, Producer - Jonathan Lackey, Engineer - Wilder Schwartz, Composer - Dylan Neustadter, Engineer - Carl Bespolka, Engineer - Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit, Engineer
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2020 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
Album review
Arriving earlier than expected as both a global pandemic and a nationwide movement against police brutality gripped the United States, RTJ4 distills the anger and frustration of the people through Run the Jewels' hard-hitting, no-nonsense revolution anthems. Trim with no filler, this fourth set from the outspoken duo provides relevant history lessons that are more useful than a classroom textbook. Rousing and lyrically dexterous, Killer Mike and El-P deliver their densest collection yet, balancing clever bon mots with tongue-twisting screeds decrying police brutality, systemic racism, class injustice, and a litany of other ills plaguing the nation. RTJ4 rarely strays from the intensely political; when it does, the duo shine with boastful quips and chest-thumping bravado, loosely weaving their "Yankee and the Brave" personas -- alluding to the baseball teams from their respective home bases -- with production that merges old-school hip-hop nostalgia with aggressively sharp contemporary stylings. BOOTS and Dave Sitek return for the very RTJ-titled "Holy Calamafuck," a menacing attack that's bested only by the clattering "Goonies vs. E.T.," which sounds like a Prodigy track without the techno breakbeat. Additional guests include 2 Chainz on the breathless "Out of Sight"; DJ Premier and Greg Nice on the "DWYCK"-sampling "Ooh La La"; and Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire on the neon dystopia of "Never Look Back." Meanwhile, an unlikely pair join forces on the swirling "Pulling the Pin," with Josh Homme's ghostly wails and Mavis Staples' pained cries creating an RTJ-meets-...Like Clockwork doomscape that pushes back against a power structure that allows for "filthy criminals...at the pinnacle." On album highlight "JU$T," "poet pugilist" Zack de la Rocha and Pharrell Williams join the fight by contributing popping production and a condensed socio-economic lecture, pulling back the curtain to reveal "murderous chokehold cops still earning a living" and "all these slave masters posing on your dollars." On "Walking in the Snow," Mike, El-P and Gangsta Boo tackle the American school-to-prison pipeline and those "chokehold cops," directly invoking the spirit of Eric Garner -- who was killed by Staten Island police in 2014 as he pleaded, "I can't breathe" -- and unwittingly honoring George Floyd, whose murder under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer prompted protests across the globe and pushed RTJ4's early release. Bringing the past and present full circle, Mike reminds listeners to "never forget in the story of Jesus, the hero was killed by the state." Much like reality, the raw and unflinching RTJ4 is a lot to take in, both a balm for the rage and fuel to keep the fire burning. Although eerily prescient, RTJ4 is less prophetic and more a case of deja vu, addressing the endemic issues of a broken country that sadly continue. This has all happened before and, as El-P laments, this is the "same point in history back to haunt us."
© Neil Z. Yeung /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 26 track(s)
- Total length: 01:31:47
- Main artists: Run The Jewels EL-P Killer Mike
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
- Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
© 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2021 Jewel Runners LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
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