Music
04 Jun 20

Run the Jewels surprise fans with early release of new album RTJ4

RTJ4

"We hope it brings you some joy".

Run the Jewels have dropped their latest album RTJ4 two days early, with the 11-track LP now available for free on the duo's official website and streaming platforms.

Originially due out on June 5th, the rap pair's fourth collaborative effort follows 2013's RTJ, 2014's RTJ3 and 2016's RTJ3.

“Fuck it, why wait? The world is infested with bullshit so here’s something raw to listen to while you deal with it all,” El-P and Killer Mike said in a commentary accompanying the album’s release.

Run The Jewels 4 is out now - FREE on our website and avail everywhere you listen to music.

4️⃣: https://t.co/lVVpCDq2xp pic.twitter.com/KNaPMfPKuJ

— Run The Jewels (@runjewels) June 3, 2020

“We hope it brings you some joy. Stay safe and hopeful out there and thank you for giving two friends the chance to be heard and do what they love.”

El-P and Killer Mike also urged their fans to donate to the National Lawyers Guild and other organisations fighting for justice and equality for the black community, recommending a host of charities on their website.

Run the Jewels reunite with Rage Against the Machine’s Zack de la Rocha, who worked with the duo 'Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)' previously.

The 11-song tracklist also contains a song featuring Mavis Staples and Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme, with fellow guests Greg Nice, DJ Premier, Pharrell Williams, and 2 Chainz adding their talent to the collection.

Discussing RTJ4 with Stephen Colbert this week, Killer Mike described the album as “like drinking a fresh cup of coffee and getting punched in the face, and then smoking a joint and getting a hug afterward.”

Killer Mike has gained traction this week with a powerful viral speech amid last weekend’s Black Lives Matter protests.

The rapper and activist made an impassioned plea to the people of his Atlanta hometown asking them to not vandalise their city, while denouncing rampant police brutality in the wake of George Floyd's homicide at the hands of Minneapolis police.