Run The Jewels // Run The Jewels 3

Run The Jewels

Run The Jewels 3

Mass Appeal Records 

4.5/5 stars

It looks like we all got a nice Christmas present courtesy of Run The Jewels. The much acclaimed hip hop duo is back again with a fantastic new record. Forgoing the industry standard Friday release, the group dropped the album as free download on Dec. 25 (visit runthejewels.com to see some other potential strategies in a new Portlandia sketch). The album hits hard and fast, a calculated smash and grab job from seasoned experts. Rapper, activist, and songwriter Killer Mike takes to the ground running, with verses full of astute references and insights. With the aggressive grace of a gangland professor, Killer Mike's syncopated, heavy rhythms play perfectly against producer El-P's fuzzy, thickly layered beats. The album features guests like Kamasi Washington ("Thursday in the Danger Room"), Danny Brown ("Hey Kids [Bumaye]"), and a follow-up track with Zach de la Rocha closing things out. The album, while perhaps not rising to the extreme heights of Run The Jewels 2, completes an unparalleled hip hop trilogy. 

– Nick Warren