Run the Jewels' latest album reflects the unprecedented events of the past year, addressing hypocrisy and social injustice with raw and unapologetic lyrics.
Their fourth album is a deliberate return to aggression and energy, combining influences from hip-hop, rock, and other genres.
Run the Jewels' music pays homage to their influences and aims to inspire others, while exposing their audience to different genres and artists.
Rap music has had a profound impact on other genres, allowing artists to explore new sounds and create unique fusions.
Run the Jewels believes in the power of authenticity and honesty, creating music that speaks the truth and brings joy to listeners.
Deep dives
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Run the Jewels' new album reflects the times
Run the Jewels' latest album reflects the unprecedented events of the past year, including the pandemic, social unrest, and racial reckoning. The album is a reflection of their raw and unapologetic approach to addressing hypocrisy and social injustice. While the album's message may seem prophetic in light of recent events, the duo did not set out to make protest songs or cater to a specific moment in time. It is a reflection of their truth, which can be both dark and humorous.
A return to aggression and their musical partnership
Run the Jewels' fourth album was a deliberate return to aggression and a desire to create a record that was fire and energetic. The musical partnership between Killer Mike and LP has evolved over time, complementing each other's strengths as artists. LP's production style combines influences from hip-hop, rock, and other genres, aiming to capture the spirit of classic hip-hop bangers while maintaining a modern sound. The collaboration allows them to create a unique and powerful musical experience.
Honoring their influences and their role as artists
Run the Jewels' music not only pays homage to their influences but also allows them to expose their audience to different genres and artists. They believe in doing right by the people they admire, which is why they collaborate with and credit their heroes in their music. By showcasing the spirit of their influences in their own work, they hope to inspire others and continue the legacy of great music. They see their music as a way to bring joy, evoke powerful emotions, and push boundaries.
The impact of rap music and its connection to other genres
Rap music has had a profound impact on other genres, bringing elements of rock, punk, and other styles into the hip-hop world. It has expanded the musical palette and allowed artists to explore new sounds and create unique fusions. Run the Jewels sees themselves as part of this legacy, combining their own influences and experiences to create a distinct and powerful sound that pays tribute to the roots of rap music while pushing it forward.
The transformative power of truth and joy in hip-hop
Run the Jewels believes that truth and joy can coexist in hip-hop. They aim to create music that speaks the truth, even if it tackles difficult or dark subjects. The resulting joy and energy that their music brings is a testament to the power of authenticity and honesty. Their lyrics may be hard-hitting and thought-provoking, but they also use humor to bring a sense of joy and make their music an exhilarating experience for listeners.
Embracing Seriousness and Humor
LP and Killer Mike emphasize the importance of balancing seriousness and humor in their music. They believe that delivering a serious message in a relatable and entertaining way is more effective than preaching or lecturing.
The Power of Protest Music
The podcast discusses the impact and significance of protest songs. LP and Killer Mike argue that the best protest songs come from personal struggles and experiences, rather than being written with the intention to protest. They believe that authenticity and storytelling are key elements that make protest music resonate with audiences.
Collaboration and Creative Choices
LP and Killer Mike share their collaborative process and how sometimes they push each other to create their best work. They discuss the decision to involve Pharrell Williams and Zack de la Rocha on the album, explaining how their contributions enhanced the overall artistic vision of the songs. They also touch on the challenges they faced with sample clearance and how it led to unexpected creative breakthroughs.
***Run the Jewels are raw and so is the language in this episode***
Killer Mike and El-P return to Broken Record to discuss the creation of their fourth album, RTJ4, and the tumultuous world it was released into. Rick Rubin, who was present during some of the album's recording sessions at Shangri La, digs into the record's production and themes with the duo, calling the message and tone of the album "almost prophetic." They also discuss working with Pharrell and Zack de la Rocha and why they had to make a major change to a song after the album was already mastered.
You can hear an extended cut of today's episode by subscribing to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/brokenrecordpodcast. We'll be off the next two weeks but will be posting two interviews to our YouTube channel while away.
