Run The Jewels
Albumdata
| Artist | Run The Jewels |
| Album | RTJ4 |
| Year of release | 2020 |
Rating
Review
Originally intended for a June 5th, 2020, release the album was made available two days early and it most definitely serves a purpose. The unbelievable, criminal and shameful behavior of police and others who are in control in the US are nauseating. The rage and sorrow about the divide between black and white and the superiority some whites feel they’re entitled to, is impressively articulated on the latest offering by Run The Jewels, the rap-duo mad up by rapper/producer El-P and rapper Killer Mike.
Run The Jewels – RTJ4 – Statement
The current events made Run The Jewels decide to make their album available earlier. When downloading listeners are asked to make a donation.
If you choose to add a donation at checkout, donations will go to the National Lawyers Guild Mass Defense Fund.
The Mass Defense Committee (MDC) is a network of lawyers, legal workers and law students providing legal support for political activists, protesters and movements for social change.
MDC members in chapters across the country provide trainings, assistance in setting up temporary legal offices and legal support structures, and materials for supporting activists engaged in mass protests.
The National Lawyers Guild Mass Defense Support can provide the following legal help to progressive organizations:
- “Know your rights” trainings/workshops;
- Meetings with, and advice to, organizers about protest actions, and legal consequences;
- Legal Observers at protests and other actions;
- Help with setting up and running jail and bail support programs;
- Legal representation in case of protest arrests.
On May 29th rapper Killer Mike already delivered an impressive speech in his hometown of Atlanta, imploring everyone to protect the city and remain calm and not react to the, at times, idiotic provocations by the powers that be.
Run The Jewels – RTJ4
RTJ4
The new Run The Jewels album is an impressive tale of the fate of many blacks, resulting in death due to police abuse.
And every day on evening news they feed you fear for free
And you so numb you watch the cops choke out a man like me
And ’til my voice goes from a shriek to whisper, “I can’t breathe”
And you sit there in the house on couch and watch it on TV
The most you give’s a Twitter rant and call it a tragedy
But truly the travesty, you’ve been robbed of your empathy© 2020 Run The Jewels/Killer Mike
At first glance an accurate summary of the current struggles in the US. The fact that the lyrics were written in November of 2019 really hit the message home even more. These are not events, this is a reality that many face on a daily basis.
The album is filled with great lyrics and the fight many struggle with: how can one remain calm when surrounded by all this unjust violence, injustice, disrespectful treatment and death. Every song is great. Musically rich, direct and inventive. Hip-hop is a classic album richer. Highly recommended!
Songs
- yankee and the brave (ep. 4)
- ooh la la
- out of sight
- holy calamafuck
- goonies vs. E.T.
- walking in the snow
- JU$T
- never look back
- the ground below
- pulling the pin
- a few words for the firing squad (radiation)
Run The Jewels
In closing
Let’s hope something changes, finally. Perhaps we can end the yearly (oftentimes below the belt) debate about the medieval tradition of ‘Zwarte Piet’ (Black Pete) and end this shameful nonsense.
But, for now we have RTJ4. A true gem, hail to Run The Jewels.
Video/Spotify
This story contains an accompanying video. Click on the following link to see it: Video: Run The Jewels – RTJ4: tribute to victims, protestors and activists. The A Pop Life playlist on Spotify has been updated as well.
