run the jewels Archives

Run the Jewels Deliver An Ominous Warning In Virtual Reality (Videos)

Don't let the first several seconds of darkness fool you - Run the Jewels' new video is immersive, conceptual, and dope. The black-and-white 360-degree virtual reality ready visual for "Crown" is deceptively simple at its outset, with some thunder and lightning serving as understated effects as Killer Mike drops the track's... Read more

May 4, 2016 Video

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop Of April 2016 In One Playlist (Audio)

For years to come, April 2016 will be remembered as the month that brought purple snow in the form of Prince's death. In the wake of his departure, there have been countless tributes in the form of covers of his songs, new releases dedicated to him, and vaulted gems that... Read more

May 3, 2016 Audio

Run The Jewels Celebrate The Birds & The Bees In Their Video For “Love Again”

Run The Jewels is known for their hard raps and nostalgic Hip-Hop aesthetics. Killer Mike and El-P channel the likes of 2 Live Crew, Eazy-E, and even Lil' Kim when they team with Gangsta Boo for "Love Again (Akinyele Back)." Even in its title, the late 2014 Run The Jewels... Read more

April 17, 2016 Video

DJ Shadow Recruits Run The Jewels For His First Album In 5 Years (Video)

Although he has stayed active on the performance circuit, DJ Shadow has not released an album in nearly 5 years. The producer and sampling innovator is readying a new project titled The Mountain Will Fall, which will be available on June 24. After releasing the instrumental title track, Shadow follows... Read more

April 15, 2016 Audio

Big Boi & Killer Mike Conjure Up Some Of That Dungeon Family Magic On “Born To Shine” (Video)

Late last year, Big Grams (Big Boi + Phantogram) released their self-titled debut EP. The major label hybrid featured two guests: Skrillex and Run The Jewels. One half of R.T.J. is Killer Mike, who 15 years ago, burst on the scene as one of the strongest branches of the Dungeon... Read more

March 28, 2016 Video

Q-Tip Opens Up His Archive Of Live A Tribe Called Quest Recordings To Celebrate Phife Dawg (Audio)

While Q-Tip did not appear on last night's edition of his Abstract Radio show on Beats 1, he dedicated the entire episode to his fallen A Tribe Called Quest brother, Phife Dawg, and celebrated him with a 2-hour mix of live and rare Tribe recordings, from Tip's personal archives. During... Read more

March 26, 2016 Audio

This 360° Run The Jewels Concert Is As Close As It Gets To Being On Stage With Them (Video)

Over the years, Run The Jewels, the duo of Killer Mike and El-P, have shown themselves to be among the most energetic performers in Hip-Hop. Mike and El pour as much passion into their onstage delivery as they do their fiery lyrics. To capture the energy and show what it... Read more

February 24, 2016 Video

Finding The GOAT Album: Jay Z’s The Black Album vs. Killer Mike’s R.A.P. Music. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

February 3, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Killer Mike Owns The Moment On A Wavy, Electronic Track With Lushlife (Audio)

Killer Mike has worked with a complete cross-section of the music industry. Mike Bigga has cut tracks with Ice Cube, Gucci Mane, Cunninlynguists, and Jay Z, all resulting in satisfied fans. That's before Heads even get to Run The Jewels, Purple Ribbon, or Grind Time Rap Gang works. Today, Mike... Read more

January 13, 2016 Audio

“Rubble Kings” Album Features Ghostface Killah, Run The Jewels, Bun B & More (Stream & Download)

Back in June, Heads got a serious history lesson with the release of Rubble Kings, a documentary exposing the real-life events in '70s New York City that led to the formation of what we now recognize as Hip-Hop culture. Now, the highly acclaimed film has an official soundtrack, featuring new... Read more

January 11, 2016 News

Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter II vs. Killer Mike’s R.A.P. Music Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

January 5, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Logic, Slug & Killer Mike Show All Hip-Hop Is Fruit From The Same Tree (Audio)

There's a lot of intolerance in Hip-Hop these days. The youth are accused of having a lack of respect for the history of the culture, and Heads who are older often look down on current Hip-Hop, glorifying the past and incorrectly lumping all of today's music together. The truth is,... Read more

December 30, 2015 Video

These Videos Made Us Feel Like We Could Fly In 2015 (Video)

2015 might very well be remembered as the year the video took over the song in Hip-Hop. While audio platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify and Apple Music are growing in strength, high profile mixtapes decreased in number, and an increasing amount of releases were presented as videos even before the audio-only... Read more

December 28, 2015 Video

Here Are Ambrosia For Heads’ Picks For The Best Music Videos Of 2015

2015 might very well be remembered as the year the video took over the song in Hip-Hop. While audio platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify and Apple Music are growing in strength, high profile mixtapes decreased in number, and an increasing amount of releases were presented as videos even before the audio-only... Read more

December 23, 2015 Video

Run The Jewels Fuel The Real Life “Warriors” In A New Animated Video For Rubble Kings

Although neither El-P nor Killer Mike comes from the 1970s Bronx, New York, Run The Jewels is the perfect vessel to capture the angst, the pride, and the power in the street gangs of more than 40 years ago. Film documentary Rubble Kings is Shan Nicholson's captivating look back. Mass Appeal... Read more

December 1, 2015 Video

Just Blaze Gives Away His Early 2000s Drum Sounds…For Free Download

Between 2000 and 2005, producer Just Blaze made iconic songs with the likes of Jay Z, Fabolous, The Game and Freeway. The Patterson, New Jersey native DJ/producer worked closely with Roc-A-Fella Records, in addition to launching his own production company, F.O.B. Entertainment. Although Just's breakthrough sound is often associated with... Read more

November 17, 2015 News

Run The Jewels Release a Fittingly Trippy Visual For Angel Duster (Video)

Run The Jewels are working their way through the self-titled sophomore album, which released one year ago today (October 24). El-P and Killer Mike are lacing fans with visuals to seemingly all of the Mass Appeal Records album's songs. But that's not all they're lacing... "Angel Duster" plays off of... Read more

October 24, 2015 Video

Run The Jewels Are Ruling The Stage. This New Tour Footage Visual Shows It (Video)

Often times, tour footage-driven videos can be mundane. Killer Mike and El-P's Run The Jewels outfit, however, has been rocking venues with palpable energy. So as the video to "Get It" shows the R.T.J. award tour, Heads who have not seen Mike, El, Trackstar the DJ, and others on the... Read more

October 13, 2015 Video

Celebrate Run The Jewels’ Tour With Music By Big Boi, Fashawn & TV On The Radio (Mixtape)

Run The Jewels are currently ruling the road. The duo of Killer Mike and El-P are taking the stage throughout October with their DJ, Trackstar The DJ, alongside proteges Boots and Cuz Lightyear, as well as Mass Appeal Records label-mates Fashawn. Appearing in Miami, Florida tonight (October 10), R.T.J. and... Read more

October 10, 2015 Mixes

Run the Jewels Honor Their Cultural Forefathers in New Single (Audio)

This year, much of Hip-Hop's history has been documented on screens, both large and small. While Straight Outta Compton undoubtedly leads the pack when discussing the biggest Hip-Hop blockbuster, one could argue that Rubble Kings serves as the year's stand-out Hip-Hop documentary. The film tells the story of the earliest... Read more

October 5, 2015 Audio

Run the Jewels’ Meow the Jewels Is Now Available for Free Download (Mixtape)

Last year, Run the Jewels' highly-anticipated album, Run the Jewels 2, was leaked on the internet. Not ones to cry over spilt milk, the duo of Killer Mike & El-P embraced it as a sign of the times and took charge. Rather than try to back the train back into... Read more

September 26, 2015 Mixes

Run the Jewels Perform on Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ & Bring Along a Big Name Backup Band (Video)

Now in his second week of his new tenure as host of the "Late Show," Stephen Colbert has already amassed an impressive list of musical guests including Toby Keith and Kendrick Lamar. Last night, El-P and Killer Mike graced the stage as Run the Jewels, performing "Angel Duster" off their... Read more

September 16, 2015 Video

On the 1-Year Anniversary of Mike Brown’s Death, Run the Jewels Explain Why Riots Work.

One year ago today, Michael Brown, an 18-year old unarmed Black man, was shot and killed by officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, MO. The event, and the subsequent failure to indict Wilson for the shooting, set off widespread rioting in Ferguson and across the country, and also marked the commencement... Read more

August 9, 2015 Video

‘Mixography: The Collectives’ Kicks Off New Party Series With Volume I – Dungeon Family (Mixtape)

Beginning this Thursday (July 30), a new Hip-Hop party series kicks off at Manhattan's Le Poisson Rouge. The series, called Mixography, is launched by journalist, publicist and artist manager, Cali Green, and MC/DJ, and Blue Note Records affiliate Raydar Ellis. Raydar will live mix the events, while Cali hosts, with... Read more

July 27, 2015 Mixes

Run The Jewels Cat-Scratch The First “Meow The Jewels” Single (Audio)

The fan-funded Meow The Jewels remix project by Run The Jewels is on the horizon. Following January's snippet reel, "Meowrly" marks the first single. With Killer Mike, El-P, and Boots' vocals still in tact from "Early," this version incorporates those "cat sounds" in a way that strangely feels anything by... Read more

July 18, 2015 Audio

Has President Obama Done Right By The Hip-Hop Community? Killer Mike Shares His Views (Videos)

Killer Mike (born Michael Render) has been making moves in his music career for more than a decade, working alongside the likes of Outkast, Ice Cube, Funkadelic, and of course El-P, with whom he performs as Run the Jewels. The success of RTJ, for many, is what has launched Render... Read more

July 2, 2015 Video

Public Enemy’s 13th Album Is Inspired By Kendrick Lamar & Run The Jewels

After 28 years of releasing albums, Public Enemy aims to make a dent in 2015. The Long Island, New York Hip-Hop group's 13th studio album, Man Plans, God Laughs will arrive in less than a month. On June 16 via Facebook, the band announced the news, sharing the artwork. Additionally,... Read more

June 20, 2015 News

Politics As Usual…Red Tape Derails Killer Mike’s Run For Office

Less than one day after announcing he was running for a Georgia State Congress seat, Killer Mike has called off write-in voters on his behalf. The Run The Jewels member took to Instagram (where he announced his brief campaign) to clarify: I can't run 😞 BUT 😀 For the folks... Read more

June 16, 2015 News

Killer Mike Is Running For Georgia State Representative

UPDATE: Politics As Usual…Red Tape Derails Killer Mike’s Run For Office From Uncle Luke to Rhymefest, Hip-Hop stars have attempted career moves into politics. Killer Mike may be the latest, starting right in his Atlanta, Georgia backyard. Today (June 15), the artist also known as Michael Render campaigned via Instagram... Read more

June 15, 2015 News

Run The Jewels Turn The Back Of A Taxi Cab Into A Stage (Video)

Taxis are held up for robbery often. But for once, Run The Jewels in a cab is a great thing. Killer Mike, El-P, and Boots are the latest in Black Cab Sessions. In a crammed taxi cab, the three artists perform "Early." One of the most pointed (and topical) songs... Read more

June 11, 2015 Video

Killer Mike Names His Favorite MCs and Talks Deep Hip-Hop History With Snoop (Video)

Killer Mike is the latest guest on Snoop Dogg's GGN. The Run The Jewels co-founder brings some flammable treats for Tha Doggfather, as the two wax poetic about a range of topics. Snoop, a confirmed R.T.J. fan, asks Mike about linking up with El-P. "You spend your whole life looking... Read more

May 19, 2015 Video

Killer Mike Eloquently Destroys Arguments That Hip-Hop Fosters Violence (Video)

Over the last few years, Killer Mike has firmly established himself as one of Hip-Hop's most impressive spokespersons. Mike was thrust into the spotlight in 2014 as he passionately and eloquently spoke out against police violence, in the wake of the protests that followed the killing of Michael Brown in... Read more

May 17, 2015 Video

Run The Jewels Release a Powerful Animated Visual About Police (Video)

Over the last few years, Run The Jewels (the duo of Killer Mike and El-P), have released some of the most politically-charged music, in any genre. Songs like "Close Your Eyes (And Count to F**k)" and "Early," from Run The Jewels 2, explore their complex views on police, given a... Read more

May 15, 2015 Video

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of April 2015 in One Playlist (Audio)

The month of April 2015 in Hip-Hop brought some welcomed surprises. A slew of artists released high quality freestyles over classic 90s beats, including Fabolous, Jadakiss, Styles P and Lloyd Banks, to name a few. Raekwon laid the groundwork for his F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxurious Art) album, with releases featuring... Read more

May 5, 2015 Audio

Killer Mike is Out to Change the World One Mind at a Time. Next Stop: MIT (News)

Killer Mike is set to present his lecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology about how current and future technologies impact race relations in the United States, as part of a program in the University's Hip Hop Speaker Series. The Run The Jewels co-founder is planning to discuss last year's tragedy in Ferguson, Missouri,... Read more

April 21, 2015 News

Run the Jewels Drop a Gem for Record Store Day (Audio)

Run the Jewels (Killer Mike and El-P) show their support for Record Store Day (4/18) with the release of a vinyl 12" record. The offering sports a brand new song titled "Bust No Moves," featuring SL Jones, "Pew Pew Pew" (from the European version from their first Run the Jewels... Read more

April 18, 2015 Audio

Run The Jewels & Zack De La Rocha Fight Back Against Police Brutality (Video)

You may have recognized the song in recent Under Armour commercials, now Run The Jewels have released an official music video for "Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck)" featuring Zack De La Rocha. While neither Killer Mike, El-P or De La Rocha are actually in the video, their song... Read more

March 26, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Busta Rhymes vs. Killer Mike…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

February 19, 2015 Fresh

Run The Jewels Are Some Rap Role Models, Even If They Don’t Want To Be (Video)

The sound of Run The Jewels is jarring, fragmented, and explosive in the ears—in the best way possible (for lovers of energetic, forceful Hip-Hop, anyway). For the latest Run The Jewels 2 video, Killer Mike and El-P captured that grit, attitude, and vibe in the visual to "Lie, Cheat, Steal."... Read more

January 28, 2015 Video

Watch A 40 Minute Run The Jewels Set In An Old Parisian Train Station (Video)

Filmed by French team La Blogothéque, Killer Mike and El-P transform a decommissioned train station in Paris known as La Recyclerie into a Hip-Hop hotbed as the MCs perform tracks from their recently released collaborative project, Run The Jewels 2. For close to 40 minutes the rapping duo tear up... Read more

January 27, 2015 Fresh, Video

Want to Hear Snippets of Run the Jewels’ Remix Project? Cat Got Your Tongue? (Video)

Is there any musical act bolder than Run the Jewels? In just two short years, the lethal combination of El-P and Killer Mike, has established itself as one of the most innovative, risk-taking and hard-hitting musical acts...in any genre. Their music is dark and aggressive, without sacrificing melody. Their lyrics... Read more

January 25, 2015 Video

Run The Jewels Get All The Way REAL With This Amazing Teen Love Advice (Video)

On their two albums, Run The Jewels are arrogant, violent, uncompromising, and domineering. Oh yeah, they're thoughtful, informed, and socially responsible too. But part of what makes this group great is that, they have no pressure, concern, or fear to be anything other than themselves. R.T.J. can be gentle, sensitive,... Read more

January 20, 2015 Video

Killer Mike Looks At Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In A Different, Timeless Light

In his latest journalistic pursuit, Killer Mike reflected on the life and holiday memorial surrounding Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Writing at Okayplayer, Mike applied Dr. King's message to 2015, and urged the followers of the Civil Rights martyr and his own fans to raise their level of action. An... Read more

January 19, 2015 Fresh

Listen to Over 170 of the Best Hip-Hop Songs of 2014 in One Playlist (Audio)

2014 was an incredibly diverse year for Hip-Hop, musically and thematically. Many of the sounds that have dominated airwaves and web streams remained, but something returned that had been missing from the culture for quite some time: the voice of the people. In a year that saw more unrest in... Read more

January 5, 2015 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

Men Of The Year: How Killer Mike & J. Cole Represented Hip-Hop Honorably In 2014 (Food For Thought)

Happy 2015 from Ambrosia For Heads! As we, as Heads, reflect on the year that was, it's important to look for the specific individuals that made it great. In Hip-Hop, this year was something of a rarity, where a spectrum of nominees could be argued for "Album Of The Year."... Read more

January 1, 2015 Food for Thought, Fresh

AFH:14 Best Hip-Hop Albums Of 2014 (Food For Thought)

2014 was a special year in Hip-Hop music. Rather than a usual suspect front-running in spotlight, this was a democratic crop of albums—where new artists made cohesive introductory works, veterans advanced their skillsets and redefined their reputations, and underground MCs challenged the mainstream. There were artists who released multiple works,... Read more

December 31, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought

For The Second Time In 15 Years, El-P & Zack De La Rocha Will Be In The Lab Extensively

In May, 1998, Rawkus Records released Lyricist Lounge, Vol. 1. The double-album featured a host of great artists, including De La Soul, Kool Keith, Q-Tip, O.C., and Bahamadia. Notably, the Top 200 charting release also included El-P, who with his Company Flow cohorts, J-Treds, Queen Heroine, and The Juggaknots was... Read more

December 12, 2014 Fresh

Run The Jewels’ Blitzing Single Hits The Eyes As Hard As The Ears (Video)

Run The Jewels' RTJ2 could be heard on the horizons before it arrived in October. The free Mass Appeal Records album (also available for purchase) rung in from the mountains with cacophonous second single, "Oh My Darling Don't Cry." Killer Mike and El-P's decimation of "F-boys" got real with dazzling... Read more

December 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

Killer Mike Stands Up For Rap Lyrics, Pens An Op-Ed For USA Today

If Hip-Hop in 2014 needs a "Man of the year," Killer Mike is steadily beckoning nominations. Less than one week after a powerful, heartfelt reaction to a court decision to not indict Ferguson, Missouri Police Department Officer Darren Wilson for the murder of teenager Michael Brown, Killer Mike is taking... Read more

December 1, 2014 Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Killer Mike vs. Cee-Lo Green…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

November 26, 2014 Fresh