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Rawkus Records’ Rise & Fall Is Detailed In A New Video

It was 15 years ago this fall that Rawkus Records stopped releasing albums. The "Rawkus 50" campaign allowed a new generation of MCs and producers to digitally release product with the same label that introduced many Hip-Hop Heads to names like Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Company Flow, High & Mighty,... Read more

Talib Kweli & El-P Recall Rawkus Records Taking A Chance On Underground Hip-Hop

Run The Jewels and Company Flow co-founder El-P is the latest guest on Talib Kweli's The People's Party Podcast, with co-host Jasmin Leigh. The two natives of Brooklyn, New York have plenty of history together, including Hip Hop For Respect. They were label-mates at Rawkus Records during an inflection point... Read more

Bun B & Run The Jewels Get Really Personal With Some Help From Big K.R.I.T. (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let AFH fight through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it’s ever been. Not only are we able to go back... Read more

El-P Has Killer Mike’s Back Even Though They Disagree On Gun Control

Over the last decade, one of Hip-Hop's more unlikely and yet, most enduring super-groups is Run The Jewels. The union began when El-P produced Killer Mike's 2012 album, R.A.P. Music. The release marked a new sound for the Adamsville, Georgia MC, and a different kind of collaborator for the Brooklyn,... Read more

Jean Grae Knocked With The Hardest Bars & The Industry Opened The Door (Audio)

Jean Grae was a refreshingly honest and forthright MC when she first emerged out of the New York City underground scene in the late 1990s. Previously known as What? What?, Jean made it abundantly clear to all within an earshot that she was bringing that raw spit. Known to share... Read more

Run The Jewels Show Off As They Body Slam A Statik Selektah Beat (Audio)

Run The Jewels is an undeniable force in Hip-Hop. The tag-team duo of Brooklyn producer/MC El-P and the honorable ATLien Killer Mike seem to surge with hype whenever they connect on track. The pair often provides thoughtful, hilarious and electrifying bars for the world to hear, over manic, forward-thinking production by... Read more

Soundbombing Was Released 20 Years Ago & Launched A Generation Of Underground Hip-Hop

Twenty years ago this week (October 14, 1997) New York-based independent Hip-Hop label Rawkus Records released Soundbombing Vol. 1. Rawkus' second full-length project boasted Black Moon/Da Beatminerz producer DJ Evil Dee on the mix, and atop its cover touted, "The Ultimate Guide To Underground Hip-Hop." Time would prove it most... Read more

Big Boi, Run The Jewels & Danger Mouse Dare Competition To Keep Up (Audio)

Since 2013's "Banana Clipper," Run The Jewels' Killer Mike has cemented the fact that even with his latest brand of music, mentor Big Boi fits into the fold nicely. On single, "Kill Jill," Daddy Fat Sax welcomes Mike Bigga to his lates party-starter. The Dungeon Family vibe is alive and well,... Read more

Can You Spot DOOM In This Graffiti-Inspired Company Flow Video?

El-P joined forces with Killer Mike to produce his album R.A.P. Music in 2012, officially forming their group Run The Jewels the following year. They have since released three studio albums, rocked a few late night talk shows, made some bold political statements, toured extensively, inspired some amazing graffiti, landed... Read more

Run The Jewels Release The First Single From RTJ3 & It’s Another All-Out Assault (Audio)

It has been two years to the month since Killer Mike and El-P released RTJ2. The pay-if-you-wish encore set from the Atlanta-to-Brooklyn super-duo came at a time where both MCs' careers benefited from each other, and making some of the biggest music of their lengthy tenures. RTJ3 now appears upon... Read more

Zack De La Rocha Is Back & Still Raging On An El-P Produced Outcry (Audio)

More than 18 years ago, the first Lyricists Lounge compilation released. Featuring De La Soul, Common, Mos Def (n/k/a Yasiin Bey), and Q-Tip, the Rawkus Records double album delivered the Underground Hip-Hop community to the mainstream (reaching the Top 200), with a plethora of important independent voices, and more than... Read more

Run The Jewels & DJ Shadow Give New Meaning To Political Warfare (Video)

Run The Jewels has a standing reputation for incredible music videos. As independent artists, Killer Mike and El-P have been able to make bold statements that match their cutting lyrics and pounding beats. Teaming with DJ Shadow for The Mountain Will Fall single "Nobody Speak," the rep is all the... Read more

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

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

Madvillain’s Madvillainy vs. Cannibal Ox’s The Cold Vein. 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

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

10 Things You May Not Know About Rawkus Records (Audio)

Though it kept a lower profile than companies like Def Jam and Bad Boy, in the late 90s and early 00s, there were few, if any record labels, that carried the flag for Hip-Hop more proudly than Rawkus Records. For many, the company introduced Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Eminem, El-P's... Read more

Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito Brought Their Vibes To HOT 97 In ’96 (Mix)

Throughout the 1990s, DJ Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito The Barber shaped radio weekly. In doing so, from Columbia University's WKCR FM signal, the pair would help introduce those within frequency range to Nas, Big L, Mobb Deep, Cenubites (Kool Keith, Godfather Don and Percee P), and plenty of other legendary... Read more

Do Remember: Rawkus Records’ Soundbombing 2 Album (Audio)

May 18, 1999, Rawkus Records would enter their most definitive year with their fifth full-length release in Soundbombing II. Distributed by the same Priority Records that had been so integral to the successes of Ruthless, Rap-A-Lot, and Roc-A-Fella, Brian Brater and Jarret Myer's imprint was truly stepping out. 1998 had... Read more

Murs Is Feelin’ Himself On A Groovy Track From Company Flow’s Mr. Len (Audio)

Murs and Mr. Len have long run in adjacent circles. When Murs started to make his ascent to being one of the premier MCs in Hip-Hop, it was through his Def Jux work (End Of The Beginning, Murs 3:16). Definitive Jux was launched by El-P, the former musical partner of... Read more

Do Remember: Haze Presents…NY Reality Check 101 (Mixed By DJ Premier)

This week, it was announced that 2015 will see the release of DJ Premier's first solo album, Last Session @320. The album and its title are an homage to the closing of HeadQCourterz Studios (f/k/a D&D Studios), which had been Premier's professional home for nearly 25 years. As fans eagerly... Read more

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

Killer Mike & El-P Are Bringing Out The Dead, Making Them Run The Jewels (Video)

Killer Mike and El-P seem to have so much fun together as Run The Jewels. From the sheer on-album chemistry to the side-projects, the monstrous stage presence on tour, down into the visuals. First single, "Blockbuster Night, Pt. 1" finds Bigga and El-Producto working as EMT, without much tact for... Read more

Run The Jewels Crashes The Party On Until The Ribbon Breaks’ New One (Video)

'Cause Heads can't get enough... Beginning with 2013's self-titled album, Until The Ribbon Breaks worked with Run The Jewels ("Job Well Done"). Now, just following the last 10 days' bum-rush of RTJ2, Killer Mike and El-P return the favor, and collide with the British Electronic band for their single, "Revolution... Read more

For A Band As Colorful As Run The Jewels, Of Course There Would Be A Great Art Challenge…

Last week, Run The Jewels released their second album in as many years, both of which were available for free stream. In the case of RTJ2, the Mass Appeal Records retail release was also given away for free, open to the public, whether they opt to financially support or not. What... Read more

Run The Jewels Makes Blockbuster Night A Double Feature (Audio)

On Friday (October 24) Killer Mike & El-P slammed down RTJ2 for full stream and free download. Available for purchase too, the Mass Appeal Records effort (what up, Nas!) garnered rapid acclaim from Heads who enjoyed Mike's fervor, El's sarcasm, Bigga's charisma, and Producto's futuristic beats. So why not have... Read more

Run The Jewels Rage Against the Machine with Zack De La Rocha (Audio)

Rap's Robin Hoods deliver another jarring glimpse from their upcoming sophomore group effort, RTJ2. Run The Jewels (Killer Mike & El-P) have seemingly found the pocket of some of their most passionate, pungent, and disarming music to date. Joined by Zack De La Rocha (who kicks an extremely rare MC... Read more

Run The Jewels Teams With Police Academy’s Michael Winslow For Some AMAZING Bully-Rap (Audio)

Run The Jewels constantly lives up to their name the way that Killer Mike and El-P can steal the show. Kicking off the week with "Oh My Darling Don't Cry," Heads get a greater glimpse of just what kind of delightful audio brutality RTJ2 holds. The song features hard-nosed, blitzkrieg... Read more

Run The Jewels’ RTJ2’s Tracklist Features An Ode To Akinyele & Zack de la Rocha

After dominating a wealth of 2013 Year-End Lists, Killer Mike & El-P's Run The Jewels battery is recharged with RTJD2, due on October 28. Today, the Fort Greene, Brooklyn-to-Adamsville, Atlanta connect unveiled their tracklisting. Late '90s Rock Heads may appreciate that guests include Zack de la Rocha (Rage Against The... Read more

Killer Mike & El-P Made The Perfect Visual Companion To Run The Jewels’ Title Track (Video)

When Heads pressed play on Killer Mike & El-P's Run The Jewels album (by the newly-formed group of the same name) last year, things got a lil' heavy. Hard raps, hazy beats, big bass, and an energy that lived up to the title of an album demanding somebody to hand... Read more

Killer Mike & El-P’s Run The Jewels Team With Big Boi To Bring The Toys Out (Video)

Just as was the case with last year's "Big Beast," Killer Mike & El-P know how to show Southern style in their collaboration's visuals. The Dungeon Family reunion of "Banana Clipper" with Outkast's Big Boi is no exception. Muscle cars and burning rubber color this potent track from one of... Read more

Killer Mike & El-P Run The Jewels & Get It (Video)

A couple years ago, TDE offered up Kendrick Lamar's Section.80 for a free Soundcloud stream when the indie effort was released. Easily accessible, the acclaimed album felt like a mixtape to many. The same was true of Ab-Soul's #ControlSystem and a host of other albums these last three years. Killer... Read more