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.
Down
Run the Jewels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hope with the highest of hopes
That I never have to go back to the trap
And my days of dealing with dope
So I, I only spit fire and dope
So later on you can go quote
My lines to your people and folk
And they say damn (damn)
And he be smoking that pressure (pressure)
And he smart as a professor (yessir)
25 lighters on dresser, pound of that pressure
Sittin right next to (next to)
Next to a book and a gun
Ballot or bullet, you better use one
One time for the freedom of speeches (speech)
Two time for the right to hold heaters (heaters)
Just skip to the fifth with the cops in the house
Close your mouth and pray to your Jesus
Ask why cause the Devil a lie (lie)
So I stay holy and high (high)
May never get rich, but I never bitch
'Cause I made it here by and by
My, my, y'all
I coulda died, y'all
A couple times I took my eyes off the prize, y'all
I know a few people pray for my demise, y'all
But like cream, I had to rise, I had to rise, y'all
Oh my, y'all
I coulda died, y'all
A couple times, I took my eyes off the prize, y'all
I know a couple people pray for my demise, y'all
But even birds with broken wings want to fly, y'all
RTJ
You're gonna need a bigger boat, boys, you're in trouble
Gonna need a little hope, boys, on the double
You muckin' with a G here, see talk to me
Or maybe listen to the man that barely dodged his own lobotomy
Pop the tape in baby, we got shit we wrote for you
Came from feeling what a pure absence of hope can do
Only to leap through flaming rings and break the nose of crews
Still in their wings'll be them darlings of hope they've broken you
(Yeah, they better hope that) I'm a full force and a cold fact
See the cold floor, where I licked dirt when the dough dried and pride died
Had a bud max, had to shop right
Gimme two meals and the lights on
I'mma do right, get a new crew
Make a new life, never boo hoo
Never lose sight, I'm true dude
With a burst heart from a old soul
Better stop drop when the squad's hot, we don't stop a lot
We don't talk a lot about it, we just pop it off a lot
I'm high, man, I'm a cosmonaut
Scream, "Fuck 'em," 'til they lop our bloody noggins off
I promise y'all
My, my, y'all
I coulda died, y'all
A couple times I took my eyes off the prize, y'all
I know a few people pray for my demise, y'all
But like cream, I had to rise, I had to rise, y'all
Oh my, y'all
I coulda died, y'all
A couple times, I took my eyes off the prize, y'all
I know a couple people pray for my demise, y'all
But even birds with broken wings want to fly, y'all
The song "Down" by Run the Jewels feat. Joi is a powerful rap song that expresses strong emotions of hope, struggle, and survival. The song starts with the singer expressing his hope to never go back to his old life of dealing with drugs and the trap. Instead, he hopes to only spit fire and inspire people to do better. He talks about how people appreciate his music and recognize him as a smart artist who is also smoking the pressure, which refers to marijuana. However, he also acknowledges the need for self-protection and guns, as well as the fight for freedom of speech.
As the song progresses, Run the Jewels and Joi share their journey of struggle and survival. They reflect on the times they almost lost their lives and the people who wished ill for them. But they also talk about how they rose above their struggles and continue to fight for their dreams despite the odds against them. Along with the powerful lyrics, the song also features strong beats and a catchy hook that keeps the listeners engaged.
Overall, the song "Down" is a powerful representation of the struggles faced by many people in their lives, especially those who come from underprivileged backgrounds. It is a song that gives hope and inspiration to the listeners to never give up and keep fighting, even when the world seems against them.
Line by Line Meaning
I hope (I hope)
Expressing a desire to never have to return to a life of dealing drugs
I hope with the highest of hopes
Expressing a strong desire and optimism
That I never have to go back to the trap
Referring to a life of dealing drugs and the negative consequences that come with it
And my days of dealing with dope
Referring to a past life of selling drugs
So I, I only spit fire and dope
Referring to the artist's focus on making music rather than dealing drugs
So later on you can go quote
Suggesting that people will enjoy and remember the artist's music
My lines to your people and folk
Encouraging fans to share the artist's music with others
And they say damn (damn)
Acknowledging the positive reaction from fans
That boy be spitting that pressure (pressure)
Complimenting the artist's powerful and impactful lyrics
And he be smoking that pressure (pressure)
Referring to the artist's marijuana use
And he smart as a professor (yessir)
Recognizing the artist's intelligence
25 lighters on dresser, pound of that pressure
Referring to the artist's drug use and possession
Sittin right next to (next to)
Describing the proximity of the drugs to other items
Next to a book and a gun
Alongside a book and a weapon
Ballot or bullet, you better use one
Referencing Malcolm X's statement that political action or armed resistance are the only viable options for black people in America
One time for the freedom of speeches (speech)
Supporting freedom of speech
Two time for the right to hold heaters (heaters)
Supporting the right to bear arms
Just skip to the fifth with the cops in the house
Referencing the Fifth Amendment's right to remain silent in the presence of law enforcement
Close your mouth and pray to your Jesus
Urging listeners to exercise caution in encounters with the police
Ask why cause the Devil a lie (lie)
Encouraging skepticism towards authority figures
So I stay holy and high (high)
Combining faith and drug use
May never get rich, but I never bitch
Acknowledging potential financial struggles but refusing to complain
'Cause I made it here by and by
Tracing the artist's journey to their current position
My, my, y'all
Expression of surprise or excitement
I coulda died, y'all
Acknowledging the possibility of death in a difficult lifestyle
A couple times I took my eyes off the prize, y'all
Referring to times when the artist lost focus
I know a few people pray for my demise, y'all
Acknowledging those who wish harm upon the artist
But like cream, I had to rise, I had to rise, y'all
Comparing the artist to cream rising to the top
Oh my, y'all
Expression of surprise or excitement
I coulda died, y'all
Acknowledging the possibility of death in a difficult lifestyle
A couple times, I took my eyes off the prize, y'all
Referring to times when the artist lost focus
I know a couple people pray for my demise, y'all
Acknowledging those who wish harm upon the artist
But even birds with broken wings want to fly, y'all
Despite setbacks, the artist is determined to succeed
You're gonna need a bigger boat, boys, you're in trouble
Comparing the artist to the characters in Jaws facing a dangerous situation
Gonna need a little hope, boys, on the double
Urging listeners to hold onto hope
You muckin' with a G here, see talk to me
Warning others to respect the artist's status
Or maybe listen to the man that barely dodged his own lobotomy
Highlighting the dangers of mental illness and treatment
Pop the tape in baby, we got shit we wrote for you
Encouraging listeners to enjoy the artist's music
Came from feeling what a pure absence of hope can do
Acknowledging the role of hopelessness in the artist's life
Only to leap through flaming rings and break the nose of crews
Describing the artist's success despite challenges
Still in their wings'll be them darlings of hope they've broken you
Despite overcoming hopelessness, others may still be trapped by it
(Yeah, they better hope that) I'm a full force and a cold fact
Boasting about the artist's power and strength
See the cold floor, where I licked dirt when the dough dried and pride died
Describing a difficult period of the artist's life
Had a bud max, had to shop right
Describing the need to budget money and make smart choices
Gimme two meals and the lights on
Describing basic needs
I'mma do right, get a new crew
Committed to making positive changes and surrounding oneself with positive influences
Make a new life, never boo hoo
Optimistic about the future and refusing to complain
Never lose sight, I'm true dude
Staying true to oneself and one's values
With a burst heart from a old soul
Carrying emotional scars but maintaining resilience
Better stop drop when the squad's hot, we don't stop a lot
Urging caution in dangerous situations
We don't talk a lot about it, we just pop it off a lot
Being prepared to take action without hesitation
I'm high, man, I'm a cosmonaut
Referring to drug use and feeling otherworldly
Scream, "Fuck 'em," 'til they lop our bloody noggins off
Expressing rebellious attitude and determination
I promise y'all
Making a vow or commitment
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Royalty Network, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: JAIME MELINE, MICHAEL SANTIGO RENDER, TORBITT SCHWARTZ, WILDER SCHWARTZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BunnLilah
"But even birds with broken wings want to fly, y'all"
That line hits me good
@josefsmith8804
1 song in and this shit already deserves album of the year
@RavagerKing
Ron Rom lol .. true shit man
@iamjp1
Ron Rom don't get carried away
@geordiejones5618
Ron Rom DAMN reminded me a lot of this album and I wish RTJ3 got the same credit this shit my favorite of theirs
@EdventureChannel
I CAN'T BELIEVE RUN THE JEWELS SAVED CHRISTMAS
@AndarooPandrew17
Edventures no one can
@geenovatore3787
Nice Display pick. hah.
@charleydavidson3500
Its Christmas fucking miracle.
@101handz
420th like