In 2012, El-P produced Killer Mike's critically acclaimed album R.A.P. Music. The following week, Killer Mike appeared on the track "Tougher Colder Killer", from El-P's album Cancer 4 Cure.
Both won the acclaim of media and fans across the globe and led to 2012′s legendary, hugely successful “Into The Wild” tour. One year later, the duo return to satisfy fan demand, and their own creative urges, as Run The Jewels, cementing their musical alliance with a full album of uncompromisingly raw, forward thinking hip-hop.
They released their self-titled debut album, Run the Jewels, on June 26 2013, via Fool's Gold Records to critical acclaim.
Their follow-up record, Run the Jewels 2, was announced in August 2014. It was released through Mass Appeal Records, on October 24, 2014. They also announced the release of a traditional remix album of Run the Jewels 2, which will be released via Fool's Gold Records Records in 2015, and a remix album titled Meow the Jewels exclusively featuring "cat sounds" which will see guest production from Prince Paul, The Alchemist, Just Blaze, Dan the Automator, and others.
Run the Jewels 3 was digitally released on December 24, 2016, three weeks prior to its previously announced release date of January 13, 2017. Physical release of the album appeared on January 13 in the United States and January 20 elsewhere.
In June 2017, the track "Legend Has It" from Run the Jewels 3 was featured in the teaser trailer for Marvel's Black Panther during game four of the 2017 NBA Finals, and was viewed 89 million times in 24 hours. Multiple Run the Jewels tracks were also featured in the 2017 action film Baby Driver, which also featured a cameo by Killer Mike. In September 2017, Run the Jewels released "Mean Demeanor", a track created for the football video game FIFA 18.
In March 2018, Adult Swim released a Run the Jewels/Rick and Morty crossover music video for "Oh Mama". The music was a remix of "Oh Mama" from Run the Jewels 3 accompanied by sound effects from a Rick and Morty short. The effort was directed by Juan Meza-León, and was released prior to Run the Jewels headlining the 2018 Adult Swim Festival on October 7, 2018.
On December 12, 2019, the single "Legend Has It" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Run The Jewel's 4th studio album, RTJ4, was released on June 3, 2 days earlier than the pre-determined release date, following the wave of protests about the death of George Floyd in the hands of police brutality. RTJ4 was met with widespread critical acclaim. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an average score of 89, based on 26 reviews. Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 8.8 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.
All My Life
Run the Jewels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One time for the pill and the reefer, man
One time for, one time for
One time for the pill and the reefer, man
One time for the, one, one-one-one
One time for the pill and the reefer, man
It's the young black leader to the people, man
I'm talkin' middle of the mall like a pita, man
A Nigga sky high now like Jesus, man
And oh Lord this reefer so potent
Got an anti gravity, a nigga stay floatin'
This nigga rob me, bitch you must be jokin'
Like pow pow pow leave your chestplate open
One half the best tag team ever
Them other fellas all right, we better
Anybody disagree they jealous
And anybody don't just motherfucking yellow (just yellow)
Fuck a boss I'm the goddamn owner
And I smell like YSL and marijuana
Don Draper with the paper might pull a slick caper
Secretary told me fuck you. I told her you gonna
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
(All my life)
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
(Go) sharp like knife
I bet a buck I'm stuck in the guts of the night
And I'm (ready on the right)
Please pass that already, alright
Get fetti, he's steady on the mic what the fuck else can he do right?
Step armed heavy and he brought Mike
Never step light, no fair fights
We got the drugs y'all wanted
Take a suck on the tail of a comet
I'm so high you a hobbit
Dick level, please back up off it
Better off dead like Paul is
Your name don't Ring, go Starrless
Me and Mike we a friend to the farmers
The weed run out, we might cop your whole harvest
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
(All my life)
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
And I been this way, shorty
And I been this way, bitch
(All my life)
And I been this way, shorty
And I been this way, bitch
(All my life)
Go
The song "All My Life" by Run the Jewels is a hard-hitting rap track that delves into the group's experiences with drug use and hard living. The lyrics in the song are somewhat ambiguous, and it seems that the group is both celebrating and criticizing drug use at the same time. They start by saying, "One time for the pill and the reefer, man / One time for, one time for", as if paying tribute to the drugs that have helped them through tough times. But as the song progresses, they start to paint a darker picture of the drug culture, with lines like "And oh Lord this reefer so potent / Got an anti gravity, a nigga stay floatin'". They seem to be acknowledging the addictive and dangerous nature of drug use, while still reveling in its immediate pleasure.
The song is also a tribute to the group's friendship and partnership. They refer to themselves as "the best tag team ever", and take several digs at other rappers who they feel are not on their level. They are proud of their success, but also recognize their own flaws and shortcomings. Throughout the song, they describe themselves as rough around the edges ("sharp like knife"), but also confident and unapologetic ("Fuck a boss I'm the goddamn owner").
Ultimately, "All My Life" is a celebration of the highs and lows of life, and the ways in which we find meaning and comfort in difficult circumstances. It's a song that acknowledges the beauty and pain of living, and the complex emotions that come with being human.
Line by Line Meaning
One time for the pill and the reefer, man
Acknowledging the use of drugs, specifically pills and weed
It's the young black leader to the people, man
Identifying oneself as a leader in the black community
If you're girl's fine, nigga might eat her, man
A crude line about potentially sleeping with a woman
I'm talkin' middle of the mall like a pita, man
A reference to performing sexual acts in a public place
A Nigga sky high now like Jesus, man
Feeling elevated and high like Jesus
And oh Lord this reefer so potent
Expressing the strength of the weed being smoked
Got an anti gravity, a nigga stay floatin'
Feeling weightless and high from the drug use
This nigga rob me, bitch you must be jokin'
A threat towards anyone attempting to rob the artist
Like pow pow pow leave your chestplate open
Violent language describing potential harm being inflicted
One half the best tag team ever
Claiming to be part of the best duo in music
Them other fellas all right, we better
Asserting superiority over other musicians
Anybody disagree they jealous
Suggesting that anyone who disagrees with the artist is envious
And anybody don't just motherfucking yellow (just yellow)
A threat towards anyone who does not agree or act bravely
Fuck a boss I'm the goddamn owner
Rejecting the idea of being subservient to a boss, claiming to be in control
And I smell like YSL and marijuana
Describing the singer's scent as a mix of perfume and weed
Don Draper with the paper might pull a slick caper
Comparing oneself to the suave and cunning Don Draper character from Mad Men
Secretary told me fuck you. I told her you gonna
A response to a threat or insult from a secretary, implying that retribution will follow
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
Stating that the way the singer is now is how they've always been
Go sharp like knife
Expressing readiness for a confrontation
I bet a buck I'm stuck in the guts of the night
Feeling entrenched in the darkness of the night
And I'm (ready on the right)
Prepared for battle, possibly in reference to political ideology
Please pass that already, alright
Asking for drugs to be passed to the artist
Get fetti, he's steady on the mic what the fuck else can he do right?
Commenting on the singer's own talent and proficiency on the microphone
Step armed heavy and he brought Mike
Approaching with confidence and showing off one's abilities
Never step light, no fair fights
Emphasizing the need to come out on top, regardless of fairness
We got the drugs y'all wanted
Boasting about having the desired drugs
Take a suck on the tail of a comet
Metaphor for taking a hit of a drug
I'm so high you a hobbit
Feeling extremely high and others seeming small in comparison
Dick level, please back up off it
Asserting boundaries with a crude remark
Better off dead like Paul is
Making a reference to the conspiracy theory that Paul McCartney is dead
Your name don't Ring, go Starrless
Punning on The Beatles and their members, suggesting someone is not as important or successful
Me and Mike we a friend to the farmers
Identifying as allies to those who grow weed
The weed run out, we might cop your whole harvest
Hinting at the possibility of stealing weed from those who grow it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Royalty Network, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Jamie Meline, Jordan Asher, Michael Santigo Render, Torbitt Castleman Schwartz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@klep2ma297
[Intro: Killer Mike]
(Paul is dead)
One time for the pill and the reefer, man
One time for...One time for...
One time for the pill and the reefer, man
One time for the...One, one-one-one
[Verse 1: Killer Mike]
One time for the pill and the reefer man
It's the young black leader to the people, man
If you’re girl’s fine, nigga might eat her, man
I'm talkin' middle of the mall like a pita, man
A Nigga sky high now like Jesus, man
And oh Lord this reefer so potent
Got an anti gravity, a Nigga stay floatin'
This nigga rob me, bitch you must be jokin'
Like pow pow pow leave your chestplate open
One half the best tag team ever
Them other fellas all right we better
Anybody disagree they jealous
And anybody don’t just motherfucking yellow (just yellow)
Fuck a boss I’m the goddamn owner
And I smell like YSL and marijuana
Don Draper with the paper might pull a slick caper
Secretary told me "fuck you," I told her you gonna
[Hook]
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
(All my life)
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
[Verse 2: EL-P]
Sharp like knife
Bet a buck I’m stuck in the guts of the night
And I’m (ready on the right)
Please pass that already, alright
Get fetti, he’s steady on the mic
What the fuck else can he do right?
Step armed heavy and he brought Mike
Never step light, no fair fights
We got the drugs y'all wanted
Take a suck on the tail of a comet
I’m so high you a hobbit
Dick level, please back up off it
Better off dead like Paul is
Your name don't Ring, go Starrless
Me and Mike we a friend to the farmers
The weed run out, we might cop your whole harvest
[Hook]
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
(All my life)
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
One time for the pill and the reefer man
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
(All my life)
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
(All my life)
Go! Go! Go! Go!
Go! Go! Go! Go!
Go! Go! Go! Go!
Go! Go! Go! Go!
Go! Go! Go! Go!
Go! Go! Go! Go!
Go! Go! Go! Go!
Go! Go! Go! Go!
(All my life)
@i3dcreepen073
One time for the pill and the reefer, man
One time for, One time for
One time for the pill and the reefer, man
One time for the, One, one-one-one
One time for the pill and the reefer, man
It's the young black leader to the people, man
If you’re girl’s fine, nigga might eat her, man
I'm talkin' middle of the mall like a pita, man
A Nigga sky high now like Jesus, man
And oh Lord this reefer so potent
Got an anti gravity, a Nigga stay floatin'
This nigga rob me, bitch you must be jokin'
Like pow pow pow leave your chestplate open
One half the best tag team ever
Them other fellas all right we better
Anybody disagree they jealous
And anybody don’t just motherfucking yellow (just yellow)
Fuck a boss I’m the goddamn owner
And I smell like YSL and marijuana
Don Draper with the paper might pull a slick caper
Secretary told me fuck you. I told her you gonna
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
(All my life)
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
Sharp like knife
I bet a buck I’m stuck in the guts of the night
And I’m (ready on the right)
Please pass that already, alright
Get fetti, he’s steady on the mic what the fuck else can he do right? Step armed heavy and he brought Mike
Never step light, no fair fights
We got the drugs y'all wanted
Take a suck on the tail of a comet
I’m so high you a hobbit
Dick level, please back up off it
Better off dead like Paul is
Your name don't Ring, go Starrless
Me and Mike we a friend to the farmers
The weed run out, we might cop your whole harvest
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
(All my life)
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
(All my life)
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
Go!
@vinhxo2k632
(Paul is dead)
One time for the pill and the reefer, man
One time for...One time for...
One time for the pill and the reefer, man
One time for the...One, one-one-one
[Killer Mike:]
One time for the pill and the reefer, man
It's the young black leader to the people, man
If you’re girl’s fine, nigga might eat her, man
I'm talkin' middle of the mall like a pita, man
A Nigga sky high now like Jesus, man
And oh Lord this reefer so potent
Got an anti gravity, a Nigga stay floatin'
This nigga rob me, bitch you must be jokin'
Like pow pow pow leave your chestplate open
One half the best tag team ever
Them other fellas all right we better
Anybody disagree they jealous
And anybody don’t just motherfucking yellow (just yellow)
Fuck a boss I’m the goddamn owner
And I smell like YSL and marijuana
Don Draper with the paper might pull a slick caper
Secretary told me fuck you. I told her you gonna
[Hook:]
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
(All my life)
And I been this way, shorty
(All my life)
And I been this way, bitch
[EL-P:]
Sharp like knife
I bet a buck I’m stuck in the guts of the night
And I’m (ready on the right)
Please pass that already, alright
Get fetti, he’s steady on the mic what the fuck else can he do right?
Step armed heavy and he brought Mike
Never step light, no fair fights
We got the drugs y'all wanted
Take a suck on the tail of a comet
I’m so high you a hobbit
Dick level, please back up off it
Better off dead like Paul is
Your name don't Ring, go Starrless
Me and Mike we a friend to the farmers
The weed run out, we might cop your whole harvest
[Hook x2]
Go! [x32]
@CharlieDBrown
Seriously the only group that I fall in love with every new song I hear. Found RTJ today, am here to fucken stay
@helpme4720
close your eyes is their hardest i think they've ever gone
@omnitravis
Found RTJ today
am here to fucken stay
oh man imagine them using that in a track. Oh jeeze, rick.
@theglaucoma
Mike's whole intro up until those silencer shots are fucking ill. You guys are the best and I can't wait til you come through Dallas again.
@loopeygoopey
real facts. them silencer shots are fucking cold
@contentcreator8750
@Lucid Grip they're from 007 n64
@petemasta99
@Content Creator it's also the same sound as in timesplitters 2
@TwiddleJones
One of the best beats ever made no debating!
@414MILboy
+Scream Phoenix I can say this about the whole album. Haven;t heard instrumentals like this since MBDTF
@moesalamander7012
It’s good, but compared to anything else from the album it’s pretty mediocre