Run the Jewels, the rap duo comprised of Atlanta’s Killer Mike and Brooklyn’s El-P, just dropped its second album on the world. And like the original Run the Jewels, RTJ2 is free and downloadable. Go ahead and grab it, via the middle-man-eliminating direct link both Mike and El-P shared. (Good thing the boys still have tons of rad merch to maybe earn a little money from?)
RTJ2 had a few songs trickle in early, including the ferocious “Blockbuster Night Part 1” and “Close Your Eyes (And Count to F–k),” featuring Rage Against the Machine’s Zack de la Rocha delivering an amazing verse. Travis Barker is also on the album, as is recent Beyoncé producer Boots.
Run the Jewels threw RTJ2 online despite having an official label, Mass Appeal, and a slew of preorder options online. In an email to fans, Killer Mike and El-P explained the move:
“AW F–K IT. WE CAN’T WAIT ANY LONGER. … We just couldn’t wait another damn day longer to share RTJ2 with you. Thank you to all the jewel runners worldwide for all your support. It means everything to us. Please enjoy the music. It was made for you.”
Worth noting: The album leaked from another source before Run the Jewels opted to share it anyway.
.@pseudo1978 we were not the original leak.
— el-p (@therealelp) October 24, 2014
And yet:
#RunTheJewels 2 is here fuck that other leak! http://t.co/IeK2Lt0Q6S
— Killer Mike (@KillerMikeGTO) October 24, 2014
good morning. #RTJ2 drops RIGHT NOW!!!! http://t.co/8u29pLI11O
— el-p (@therealelp) October 24, 2014
A Kickstarter independent of Run the Jewels recently received full funding for a cat-oriented remix of RTJ2 called Meow the Jewels. As a follow-up, El-P tried to audition some cats earlier this week. The Kickstarter reaches its $40,000 goal with ten days to go, and it’s now hit $62,000 with three days on the clock.