Run The Jewels by Run The Jewels Review

in 2013 underground emcees, Killer Mike and El-P teamed up to form Run The Jewels. Their debut album of high critical acclaim. I'm not going to tell you to buy this one, simply because it's free. That's right, they released it for free. You can download it right now, but I wouldn't send you to download a wack album so let's get down to it and see if this does deserve the praise.

Run The Jewels

Pure lyrics in the opening. Both trade verses back and forth. The chorus is literally just "Run the Jewels" x2, and i don't even think that was necessary. This intro does set them up very well. Given how awful title tracks usually are, it's a nice change.

Banana Clipper feat. Big Boi

Sigh...I miss Outkast. Stankonia was like a second home. Never the less, they drop the hook and just trade back and forth over seven verses and ATL's own Big Boi hopping in to finish it. El-P and Mike both tear it in their exchanges. Boi takes a shot at the radio and today's generation buying it. I give the best verse to the former half of Outkast.

Now it's true, niggas are simply simple minded simple simons. Being dumbed down by the local radio stations by designing

36" Chain

Niggas better pray for a hoe like Tebow though cause right now he stay losin' like the Jets

Tebow ain't safe either. You might have 2 chains, but they've got a 36 inch chain. Bitch. El-P also threatens to river dance on your face with cleats. This isn't an actual brag about a chain but a mockery of rappers flaunting wealth absurdly.

DDFH

Cops in the ghetto move like the gestapo. Drunk off their power and green they often hostile

DDFH, stands for do drugs, fuck hope. Somewhat parodying the promotion of pills and other drugs. Kinda humorous considering they supposedly took shrooms while writing this whole album. but Killer Mike thinks smoking is better than hoping so i guess this is serious.

Sea Legs

I sense a bit of the mushshrooms in this track. There's a few subliminal disses at rappers like Kanye, but i don't support disses that aren't blatantly obvious. I'll give ya'll a pass for making this enjoyable so far. There's great punches and wordplay all over this track.

Job Well Done feat. Until The Ribbon Breaks

It's like Tyson in the '80s, nigga snap and punch your lights out

It's like Tyson in the '90s, if I'm losing take a bite out

What a name for a guest there. Half way through this LP and i'm still into it. Mike's especially aggressive here. They haven't lost a step here yet, lets see if they keep the momentum up.

No Come Down

It's fitting they'd go into full detail of their experiences on drugs. They also visit a strip club while loaded on these substances, I don't think I need to say much more.

Get It

I'm stuck in a time capsule when rap was actually factual

In the wise words of Ja Rule. "Murda!" It's all about cutting mothafuckas up. Dead bodies in the kitchen, living room, closet, bathtub, church. I made most of that up but you get the idea. It's all about slaughtering people and with a bit of insight into their homicidal rage.

Twin Hype Back feat. Prince Paul

They found Prince Paul for this shit. He doesn't really do much though. It's all about fucking, in every descriptive way they can conjure up. Oh and they reference murdering someone, surprise! Don't love this track but it does sound good.

A Christmas Fucking Miracle

That's a classic title. Both stick to just one verse each and it's great overall. Shout out to the lost Pimp C and Camu Tao at the end by Killer Mike. Little sleigh bells in the opening, i don't see why you wouldn't play this around the holidays.

The Highlights:

Banana Clipper

Sea Legs

A Christmas Fucking Miracle

The Lowlight:

Can't pick one

The Gem:

Get It

Is it Worth a Listen?

Given it is free, sure. There's lyrics all through that any fan of lyrical Hip hop should appreciate. I don't love it as my favorite album of 2013 or anything. In fact I enjoyed Czarface more, but this is fantastic. Some weak hooks but can't hate them. I don't know if my perception of this will change one day for the moment...i'm feeling a light A-, maybe a strong B+ in the future.

Overall Grade: A-

You can pay for a physical copy doe. Til next time, One Love.