Last month, El-P took to Twitter to reveal that Run The Jewels would be releasing the long-awaited RTJ4 on June 5. As a surprise, he and Killer Mike have decided to deliver that project to the masses today (June 3), along with a message that alludes to the current issues we’re all facing today:
“F*** it, why wait? The world is infested with bulls*** 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.”
In addition to its appearance on streaming services, the group have also allowed fans to download the album for free via their official website. Those that do decide to show monetary support to the cause through the different album and merch packages available are also providing assistance to the National Lawyers Guild Mass Defense Fund, “a network of lawyers, legal workers and law students providing legal support for political activists, protesters and movements for social change.”
RTJ4 sees 11 tracks from the duo and features from DJ Premier, Greg Nice, 2 Chainz, Pharrell Williams, Rage Against The Machine frontman Zack de la Rocha, and more. The project is led by the singles “Ooh LA LA” and “Yankee and the Brave (Ep. 4),” the latter of which sees Killer Mike addressing the current law enforcement issue as directly as one could on wax:
“I got one round left, a hunnid cops outside, I could shoot at them or put one between my eyes/
Chose the latter, it don’t matter, it ain’t suicide, and if the news say it was that’s a goddamn lie/
I can’t let the pigs kill me, I got too much pride, and I meant it when I said it, never take me alive…/”
Press play on RTJ4 below.