Run the Jewels caught up with Billboard on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards on Sunday (Jan. 28) to discuss their first Grammy nomination as a duo, working with Danger Mouse and Big Boi and what fans can expect from their new music.
Speaking of their first Grammy nod as a duo — they’re up for best rap song for “Chase Me” along with Danger Mouse and Big Boi — El-P and Killer Mike reveal that they were shocked when they first heard the news.
“Our perspective was us just being completely OK with the idea that that would never happen,” shares El-P, “and so it happening, it’s humbling and it’s cool. We’re glad to be a part of it and more than anything, we love this music and we love doing it and we get to give an excuse for our moms to sit home and say that they did OK.”
Discussing working with Danger Mouse and artists outside of their genre of music, El-P says, “Danger Mouse is a rap dude. I’ve known him for 20 years, Big Boi is obviously best friends with Mike and a friend of mine, as well. So it really was a family vibe when we did that record.”
“We always collaborate with people that are good musicians, and I also think that’s what the Grammys are about right now,” he continues. “This year, it’s eliminating the idea that we’re compartmentalizing music because of an idea of the category or the people behind it, and in fact, trying to recognize it for just being a work of art, and that levels the playing field, and that’s the way that we look at music.”
You can watch the full video above to also hear what the pair have to say about their new music and to hear their thoughts on artists like JAY-Z and Kendrick Lamar being nominated for album of the year.
