It’s no secret that we fucking love Run the Jewels and everything it stands for, and last night we caught them live in London for a show that sold out weeks ago.
The crowd was a healthy mix from every walk of life, proving just how many people Run the Jewels’ music is reaching. From classic-era heads who’ve been with El-P since Company Flow and Def Jux, to those just being introduced to the crew now – perhaps thanks to Killer Mike’s incredible commentary on the situation in Ferguson and beyond – the entire venue was charged with anticipation throughout the set from the warm-up deejay.
When El-P and Killer Mike took to the stage, the crowd went absolutely nuts, and the seasoned vets gave us exactly what we came for. That raw aggression we hear on wax translates perfectly to the live stage, with both rappers having enough energy to put artists half their age to shame.
All of the best tracks from their two already-certified-classic albums were included in the set, each one feeling as comforting and familiar as the kind of songs we’ve had as our favorites for years, which is all the more amazing when you step back and remember we’ve only been blessed with music from Run the Jewels since 2013.
Good live hip-hop shows are few and far between, but this was one that no doubt left a lasting impression on everyone who stepped out into the freezing cold London night when the show had ended, still buzzing about what they has just witnessed.
RTJ2 is out now on Mass Appeal. Read our review here, and our thoughts on the incredible upcoming Meow the Jewels project here.
