Run The Jewels: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

NPR Music
NPR Music
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Published 2017-02-13
Mina Tavakoli | February 6, 2017 — Like any good pair of twins, Run the Jewels have a freaky sort of unspoken fraternity. When El-P and Killer Mike strode in with their usual uniforms — Mike in a gold chain as thick as a garter snake, El in a fitted Yankees cap and pair of blue-mirrored sunglasses — the two didn't have to do as much as nod to one another before upending three tracks from their latest LP, RTJ3, in strange and perfect symbiosis.

El-P (née El-Producto, née Jaime Meline) — rapper, producer, and all-around godfather of the backpacker scene of the late-90's — and Killer Mike — known for guest features on tracks by Atlanta's Dungeon Family in the early-aughts, solo work in the mid-to-late '00s, and perhaps most widely for his very public support of Senator Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign last year — have out-mused each other in a supergroup that somehow seems to get better, louder, and more pertinent since their start in 2013. They represent an ideal evolution of underground hip-hop to mainstream success, mixing a fundamentally activist animus with IMAX-level production without losing a speck of vital force.

On an unseasonably beautiful day in D.C., Run the Jewels was sweaty and sulfuric, ad-libbing with one another in an exchange so slick, easy, and conspiratorial, it felt like we were in on their shared language.

Run the Jewels 3 is available now:
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/run-the-jewels-3/id11865…
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Run-Jewels-3/dp/B01MRSRJS7

SET LIST
"Talk To Me"
"Legend Has It"
"A Report To The Shareholders"

MUSICIANS
Killer Mike (vocals); EL-P (vocals); Trackstar the DJ (DJ)

CREDITS
Producers: Abby O'Neill, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Nick Michael, Morgan Noelle Smith; Production Assistant: A Noah Harrison; Photo: Claire Harbage/NPR.

For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/510292/tiny-desk-concerts-vid…
All Comments (21)
  • @nprmusic
    How do you love rap when rap doesn’t love you back? From Rico Nasty’s harassment from toxic Carti fans, to Saucy Santana's unapologetically femme aesthetics in a queerphobic industry, to the assault case that put Megan Thee Stallion’s entire image on trial, each episode of Louder Than A Riot – the second season of our investigative hip-hop podcast – unpacks the unspoken rules of rap that hold the entire culture back. Tap in to our first episode at n.pr/louder-season-2.
  • @SchmegmaOnToast
    Killer Mike aint fat, hes just holding his lyrics till the next beat.
  • @robertchung8526
    "let's see if NPR has rhythm" NPR STAFF WASTED NO PROBLEM SHOWING HIM NO
  • @8bitbuffet
    Really the best part about them live is the fact that they sound the same as the records vocally.
  • @mrjohndangerpowers
    "At some point in the future they are going to try and label us a political rap group, and that we are not, we do not care what political party you belong to, we don't care who you supported, we don't care what you are doing tomorrow politically, we care that socially every one of you know; you are absolutely born free and nothing has a right to interrupt that freedom. We love you." - Killer Mike
  • @inainstant_
    I like how at 9:47 when Killer Mike forgot his next bar El stepped right in with it while keeping the flow on point. These guys really in sync 💯
  • @BenFortney
    “At some point in the future, they’re going to try to label us a ‘Political Rap Group’, and that we are not. We don’t care what party you belong to, we don’t care who you supported, we don’t care what you’re doing tomorrow politically. We care that socially every one of you know you are absolutely born free and nothing has a right to interrupt that freedom. We love you.” - Killer Mike | @NPR | 2/6/2017
  • @The-Alarmist
    "Beware of horses I mean a horse is a horse of course, but who rides is important"
  • @SaulBadmon
    Killer Mike just got that voice, like there's no enhancing it, it's just there.
  • @thelegendinhisownmind7038
    I've had the pleasure to meet and talk with El-P on a number of occasions, mostly after shows during the late 90's and early 2000's. He was always such an awesome individual, someone who truly appreciates his real fans. I remember as a beginning producer, heavily influenced by Company Flow's Funcrusher Plus, and Little Johnny From The Hospital, I had asked El-P what equipment he used for some of the various songs on both albums. He was both gracious and forthcoming regarding his production techniques, which I found refreshing since many artists who produce instrumentals will often keep their secrets close to the vest. Throughout the years of running into him, he eventually started to remember me. Every time we spoke he was always so friendly and open. I wish more artists behaved like this towards their fans. Also, it's great to see him becoming more popular than ever with RTJ. Nobody deserves it more.
  • @NervousOne
    "Brave men didn't die face down in the Vietnam muck so I could not style on you" I've been obsessed with this verse👉👊
  • @dutchhiphopfan050
    There is something beautiful about rap performances on NPR. The artists truly focus on their words instead of worrying about having to jump around and tell people to put their hands up.
  • @colinmcgee3957
    I love their energy so much. They're so in sync. Mike has such incredible charisma. El-P is all smiles and keeps the music flowing and the production quality so high.
  • @zfortyounce
    I love how they are able to so perfectly balance silly and serious topics all at once. These dudes are a beautiful group.
  • @Musiken
    "We haven't figured out what to do at this part yet" lol. I like how chill they are.
  • @cardbox273
    This performance of "A Report To The Shareholders" still gives me goosebumps 3 years later.