Last year, Killer Mike and El-P — collectively known as Run The Jewels — released the fourth installment of their self-titled album series, an 11-track effort that saw additional features from Greg Nice, DJ Premier, 2 Chainz, Pharrell Williams, Zack de la Rocha, Mavis Staples, and Josh Homme. The project was considered both a critical and commercial success for the duo, landing them their first top ten on the Billboard 200 thanks to 38,000 album equivalent units sold during its first week of release.
Over the weekend, Adult Swim hosted a two-day virtual festival that was headlined by Lil Baby and Karol G and saw additional appearances from 21 Savage, Flying Lotus, Alessia Cara, Angel Olsen, and 070 Shake. In additional to the performances, viewers were also able to enjoy discussion panels, interviews, and exclusive videos. In the mix was a premiere of Run The Jewels’ latest video from RTJ4 for “never look back,” which sees additional production from Wilder Zoby and Little Shalimar. The track sees the artists both reflecting on their past while reaffirming their focus on the future:
“Got my mind on a mission on the road to perdition, the crime and the grind, I’ll admit it, I’m wit’ it, must’ve suckle up crime from my mama right titty, ’cause if dollar made cents, no question she was with it, she was Queen Pen-ing, independent when I was a kiddy, Uncle Luke, ‘Don’t stop, get it, get it,’ Magic City, Mommy told me never give a nigga my plug, then she told me never give these bitches my love…”
The accompanying clip for “never look back” sees direction from John Hillcoat and takes inspiration from George A. Romero’s classic black-and-white horror film Night of the Living Dead, with the two managing to fend off hordes of zombies throughout.
Check it out for yourselves below.