A Report to the Shareholders / Kill Your Masters
Run the Jewels Lyrics

Beware of horses
A metaphorical warning to be cautious of authority figures who may look powerful and intimidating, but it's the person riding the horse who holds the real power.

I mean a horse is a horse of course, but who rides is important
Although a horse may just be a horse, who is in control of it can greatly impact the situation.

Sitting high with a uniform, barking orders, demanding order
This line describes the authoritarian figure, who sits high up in power, commands others, and demands order.

And I'm scared that I talk too much about what I think's going on
The artist is afraid of speaking their mind too much and potentially facing consequences for it.

I got a way with this, they might drag me away for this
The artist has gotten away with speaking their mind so far, but fears that they may get into trouble for it eventually.

Put me in a cage for this, I might pay for this
The singer is aware that speaking out against authority can have severe consequences, such as imprisonment.

So I just say what I want like I'm made for this
Despite the potential consequences, the singer is determined to continue speaking their mind.

But I'm just afraid some days I might be wrong
The artist is aware that they may not always be right in their opinions and thoughts.

Maybe that's why me and Mike get along
The artist and their partner, Mike, have a similar mindset and are able to understand and support each other.

Hey, not from the same part of town, but we both hear the same sound coming
The artist and Mike come from different backgrounds, but they both hear and understand the same message of oppression and injustice.

And it sounds like war
The message of oppression and injustice sounds like war.

And it breaks our hearts
The feelings of war and oppression are painful and heartbreaking for the artist and Mike.

When I started this band, didn't have no plans, didn't see no arc
The singer didn't plan on becoming a musician or see any kind of long-term success for their band.

Just run with the craft, have a couple laughs Make a buck and dash, yeah
The initial motivation for starting the band was to have fun and make some money.

Get a little dap like 'Yeah I'm the fucking man!', yeah
The singer experiences a sense of pride and accomplishment when their work is positively received.

Maybe give a little back like, 'Here, I do what I can'
The artist wants to give back and use their success to make a positive impact.

It's all jokes and smoke 'till the truth start schemin'
The artist and their bandmates joke around until they start uncovering the truth about the state of the world and the oppression that exists.

Can't contain the disdain for y'all demons
The singer openly expresses their contempt for those in power who perpetuate oppression and injustice.

Talk clean and bomb hospitals So I speak with the foulest mouth possible
Those in power may use language that sounds clean and professional, but their actions are destructive. The singer responds by using explicit language to call out their actions.

And I drink like a Vulcan losing all faith in the logical
The artist drinks heavily, perhaps to cope with the illogical and unjust state of the world.

I will not be confused for docile
The artist rejects the idea of being passive and compliant to those in power.

I'm free, motherfuckers, I'm hostile
The artist asserts their freedom and hostility towards the oppressive system and those in power.

Choose the lesser of the evil people, and the devil still gon' win
Even if people choose someone they believe to be the lesser of two evils, the corrupt system will still prevail.

It could all be over tomorrow, kill our masters and start again
The artist suggests that the only solution to the oppressive system is to overthrow those in power and start fresh.

But we know we all afraid, so we just simply cry and march again
Despite the desire for change, the singer acknowledges that fear often holds people back and they resort to peaceful protests instead of violent upheaval.

At the Dem Conven my heart broke apart when I seen them march mommas in
The singer was heartbroken when they witnessed mothers protesting at a political convention, highlighting the harm and pain caused by the system.

As I rap this verse right now, got tears flowing down my chocolate chin Told the truth and I've been punished for it, must be a masochist 'cause I done it again
The singer is emotional while rapping and expresses that they have been punished for speaking the truth in the past, but continue to do so regardless.

Ooh, Mike said 'uterus', they acting like Mike said 'You a bitch'
Mike made a simple reference to a body part, but it was blown out of proportion and used against him.

To every writer who wrote it, misquoted it Mike says, 'You a bitch, you a bitch, you a bitch' Add a 'nigga' for that black writer that started that sewer shit
The media misquoted what Mike said, and a black writer started a negative campaign against him. The lyrics express frustration towards them.

I maneuver through manure like a slumdog millionaire
The singer is able to navigate difficult situations despite the negativity and obstacles in their path.

El-P told me, 'Fuck them devils, Mike, we gon' be millionaires' I respond with a heavy 'Yeah'
El-P expresses their desire to overcome those in power and achieve success despite their oppressive tactics. The singer is in agreement.

Big bro says 'Fuck that, toughen up Stay ready, write raw raps, shit rugged rough'
Despite their success, the artist's brother advises them not to get complacent and to continue creating music with a raw, rugged style.

The devil don't sleep, us either El spits fire, I spit ether We the gladiators that oppose all Caesars
The oppressive system never rests, but the artist and their partner continue to fight against it with their music and message.

Coming soon on a new world tour Probably play the score for the World War At the apocalypse, play the encore Turn around, see El, and I smile Hell coming and we got about a mile Until it's over I remain hostile
The artist and El plan on touring and spreading their message even during times of war and apocalypse. They remain hopeful and defiant in the face of adversity.

Mere mortals, the Gods coming so miss me with the whoopty-whoop You take the devil for God, look how he doin' you I'm Jack Johnson, I beat a slave catcher snaggletooth I'm Tiger Flowers with a higher power, hallelu'
The singer acknowledges that those in power may seem like gods, but their actions are proof that they are not. They reference historical figures who have fought against oppression as inspiration to keep fighting themselves.

Life'll get so bad it feel like God mad at you But that's a feeling, baby, ever lose, I refuse I disabuse these foolish fools of they foolish views
The artist acknowledges that life can be difficult, but refuses to give up or accept the oppressive views of others.

I heard the revolution coming, you should spread the news Garvey-mind, Tyson-punch, this is bad news
The singer is confident in the coming revolution and urges others to prepare for it. They reference individuals with powerful impact as a warning to those who don't support the movement.

So feel me, follow me Devil done got on top of me Bad times got a monopoly Give up, I did the opposite Pitch perfect, did it properly Owner killed by his property
The singer encourages others to follow their lead and resist the devilish forces of oppression. Despite difficult times, they refuse to give up and maintain their artistic integrity and ownership.

This life'll stress you like Orson Welles on the radio War after war of the world'll make all your saneness go And these invaders from Earth're twerkin' on graves you know Can't wait to load up the silos and make your babies glow
Life can be stressful and overwhelming, with constant wars and invasive forces making things worse. The oppressive system is willing to resort to extreme measures, including violence and destruction.

It's so abusive you'll beg somebody to roofie you They'll snatch your hope up and use it like it's a hula-hoop And it's a loop, they talk to you just like their rulers do These fucking fools have forgotten just who been fooling who
The system is so abusive that one would rather be drugged and unconscious than face the reality of it. They use people's hope and optimism against them. Those in power have forgotten that they are acting as the tools of the people they are oppressing.

Kill your, kill, kill your kill your, kill Kill your, kill, kill, kill your, kill Kill your masters Killer children of men on the throne roving with no atonement
The chorus is a call to action to kill the oppressive system and those in power who are unrepentant of their actions and abuse their authority.

Got me feeling like I'm Clive Owen rowing through a future frozen But the flow is a burning wind, blowing to your coast and Now in cages 'cause we rode the waves of your explosions
The singer feels isolated and cold in the current state of the world, but their music and message are like a powerful, burning wind. The oppressive system has imprisoned those who resist their power.

Done appealing to our killers, man, to stop the bleeding This song's a dirty bomb for they dirty dealings Boots on the roof, I'm Charley Mingus dumping through the ceiling Master P-ing on these lost Europeans thievin'
The singer has given up on pleading for mercy from those in power and instead uses their music as a powerful tool to call out their dirty actions. They reference historical figures and musicians to empower and inspire others to find their own ways to resist.

Shit be grim, and De La born a reaper Born in the beast and fixin' feast tearin' its features The world surges, the nation's nervous The crowds awaken, they can't disperse us We ain't at your service, won't stay sedated Won't state our numbers for names and remain faceless We dignified, they can't erase us We ain't asleep, we rope a dope through the flames Man, the world gonna ride on what's implied in the name
The current state of the world is grim and oppressive. The artist channels their experiences of oppression into their work as a way of fighting back. They acknowledge that the fight is not easy or peaceful, but they will not be silenced or controlled any longer. The world will soon learn the power that lies within their name and message.