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Review Summary: Fuckboys beware. Veteran hip-hop artists Killer Mike and El-P first collaboration under the moniker Run the Jewels made serious waves in the summer of 2013. Their combination of energy, relentlessly intense production and clever lyrics made their self-titled debut the most celebrated hip-hop release of the year amongst critics and audiences alike. Approximately 16 months after the release of their lauded debut, Run the Jewels has returned with their second album and the fiery pair has once again struck hip-hop gold.
Run the Jewels 2 reworks the duo's proven formula with a darker approach to the production and tone, which allows their rapping ability to take center stage. This more psychedelic, low-key production choices allows Mike and El-P's skills on the mic to be at the forefront of the music. Their consistently fantastic lyrics were often buried under the in-your-face production on the first installment, so it's great to see their unheralded lyrical skills be more prominently featured on this record. "Jeopardy", "Lie, Cheat, Steal", "Crown" and "Angel Duster" feature the most impressive verses the duo has ever put out from a pure skill standpoint. These tracks prove exactly why Mike and El-P have become known as two of the top lyricists to emerge out of the underground hip-hop scene over the past two decades. They drop consistently witty lines on a variety of subject matters both serious and asinine and rap with a swagger that just can't be topped by a vast majority of MC's that are currently in the game. The production is still a standout element of Run the Jewels 2, it just doesn't completely overshadow the sheer brilliance of the rapping this time around.
While this record isn't quite as relentless as its predecessor, there is no shortage of the group's trademark bangers here. Previously released tracks "Blockbuster Night Part 1" and "Close Your Eyes (And Count to ***")- which features a pretty solid guest verse from Rage Against the Machine frontman Zak De la Roacha- are filled with the same unwavering intensity that made the first Run the Jewels album so memorable. While "Blockbuster Night Part 1" and "Close Your Eyes (And Count to ***)" are impressive, they pale in comparison to album standouts "Oh My Darling Don't Cry" and "All Due Respect". "Oh My Darling Don't Cry" makes use of an industrial beat that is strongly reminiscent of the best production on Death Grips' 2012 masterpiece The Money Store while "All Due Respect" boasts a level of raw aggression that makes most of Run the Jewels' other material sound downright cheery in comparison. Run the Jewels spend a good portion of their second LP showing off their versatility and dense lyrical skills, but there's no denying that they are most at home when they are churning out ferocious hardcore hip-hop that goes straight for the jugular.
Run the Jewels 2 is another grand success for these hip-hop heavyweights. They're able to explore new musical and lyrical territory this time around without sacrificing any of the fire or excellent production that made the first one such a fantastic release.The fact that Run the Jewels has released two of the best hip-hop records of the past decade in just over a year is completely absurd and speaks volumes of how skilled Killer Mike and El-P are as musicians. Run the Jewels has a stranglehold on the modern hip-hop scene and unless something heinous happens to them, I don't see that changing anytime in the near future.
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Album Rating: 4.5
As always, feedback and comments are much appreciated.
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good review, here's my points:
-paragraphs 2-4 all begin with 'Run the Jewels'. it's more of an aesthetic thing I guess. maybe try and tie your paragraphs together more smoothly
-your second mentions 'lyric' pretty heavily. I mean, yeah they're probably a focal point, but you could word it differently.
-some of your sentences could be more concise, example: "Run the Jewels 2 is a bit of a different take on the formula used on the first installment. The production and overall tone are much darker than the original, which allows the rapping abilities of Killer Mike and El-P to take center stage".
-I could reword this, like "RTJ2 reworks the duo's formula, with darker tone and production, allowing rap ability to take centre stage". This isn't a great example, but w/e you get the idea. I basically said the same thing in 1/3 words. You don't need to keep referring back to the debut album, and Killer Mike and El-P when these are things that have been established.
- just a thought, but I'd actually condense your conclusion and weave it into your 3rd paragraph... I mean "they are churning out ferocious hardcore hip-hop that goes straight for the jugular." is a wayyyy better ending than "Run the Jewels has a stranglehold on the modern hip-hop scene and unless something heinous happens to them, I don't see that changing anytime in the near future." I think your conclusion as a whole is kinda meh, and could be more snappy and interesting, rather than merely hyping how great and established they are. Not that they aren't, but... yeah.
hopefully some of this helps. I'll give another read through and see what else I can find
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
All of that helps a lot man. Thank you very much.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
good review ;) angel duster is dope as hell. I haven't heard the bonus track yet.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
great review bro. Definitely one of the most enjoyable albums I've heard this year.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
This review is pretty good, only criticism I have is that the review seems hyperbolic even if you rate
this 4. It reads more like a 5
"the sheer brilliance of the rapping"
"Run the Jewels has released two of the best hip-hop records of the past decade"
"Run the Jewels has a stranglehold on the modern hip-hop scene"
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
I can see what you mean, s few of those claims could absolutely be interpreted as hyperbolic. I should note that while I do believe RTJ 1 and 2 are two of the strongest hip-hop releases of the past decade, there hasn't been an abundance of standout hip-hop releases in that time period.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
best summary ever
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
my clit in yo mouth all day
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
"Love Again" is such a bizarre musical experience.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
yeah its really good its too bad the hook completely kills any playback value
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
I initially thought the hook was annoying, but its grown on me.
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