RUN THE JEWELS have shared their fourth album a couple of days early. Titled RTJ4, the duo took to social media to share the news they were done waiting for its release and have released it early.
“Fuck it, why wait?" Run The Jewels wrote to fans.
"The world is infested with bullshit so here’s something raw to listen to while you deal with it all. We hope it brings you some joy. Stay safe and hopeful out there and thank you for giving 2 friends the chance to be heard and do what they love.”
Featuring collaborations with Mavis Staples, Gangsta Boo, Zack De La Rocha, Josh Homme, Pharrell Williams, Greg Nice, DJ Premier and 2 Chainz, RTJ4 is quintessential Run The Jewels: no bullshit, hard-hitting, politically active, forward thinking and incendiary. Both Killer Mike and El-P deliver exceptional performances throughout the whole record, with Killer Mike in particular offering up some absolutely showstopping verses.
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RTJ4 comes at a time when protests supporting the Black Lives Matter movement have erupted in the United States, and while one could argue Run The Jewels are always vital listening, there is no denying the importance of releasing a record like this at a time like this is a particularly necessary and defining moment. Even though this record was written before the current protests which were sparked by the murder of black man George Floyd by a police officer, RTJ4 taps into the global anger and gives another voice which we should all be listening to. And so does their last three records as well. Run them jewels FAST!
Words by Emma Jones
Image by Timothy Saccenti
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PURPLE SNEAKERS STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE DEMANDING JUSTICE FOR SYSTEMIC RACISM AND POLICE BRUTALITY, AT HOME AND ACROSS THE WORLD.
BELOW ARE LINKS TO DONATE AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD. #BLACKLIVESMATTER
Australian Indigenous Legal Services & Agencies you can donate to:
VIC – https://vals.org.au
NT – http://naaja.org.au
NSW & ACT – https://alsnswact.org.au
WA – https://als.org.au
SA – https://alrm.org.au
QLD – https://atsils.org.au
TAS – http://tacinc.com.au