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.
Lie
Run the Jewels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold it like a crucifix
Blow from the nose I'm a dragon to a gnome
Got a average of bein' excellent the median just dope
Like the ratio of heroin to laxative that's sold
Authorities have spoken, demanded your pure devotion
Get magnetized to the ground while the falcons of murder close in
I chose to go guano, y'all know, kinda bat shit
I'll tea bag a piranha tank, heart barely beatin'
A wild one who'll swim like directly after he's eaten
While holding a toaster oven that's plugged with a fork in it
'Cause death by electrocution's like life in New York, isn't it?
Shoulda been a dentist, mom said it
Pain's the way that my craft expresses
Born in a little shop of horrors that I can't even afford to rent in
Where's the exit?
Wanna talk shop I can chop it up with exacto touch, whats the rush?
Autograph skin flaps, tag em up
I don't brag enough you defacto suck
A lotta you new to the El Producto milieu
Kinda like "fuck is you?"
I'm a little black spot on a sun of lies
But I'm not too high to say I'm the truth
I line the booth to catch blood like a Bateman
Nathan sacred I'll mace a play pen
Jewel runner, bitch, make the name stick
Not for sale but I'm takin payments
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win
(Everybody doin' it)
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win
Everybody doin' it
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win
(Everybody doin' it)
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win
I'm fly as a pegasus, that's no embellishment
I'm here to pain the whole game, where the Excedrin
Good pussy, good marijuana that be my medicine
And I'm a mixture of MJG and the Weathermen
A revolutionary bangin' on my adversaries
And I love Dr. King but violence might be necessary
'Cause when you live on MLK and it gets very scary
You might have to pull your AK, send one to the cemetery
We overworked, underpaid, and we underprivileged
They love us, they love us (why?)
Because we feed the village
You really made it or just became a prisoner of privilege?
You willing to share that information that you've been given?
Like who really run this?
Like who really run that man that say he run this?
Who-who really run that man that say he run this, r-r-r-r-run this?
Like who really fund this?
Like who really fund who say he fund this?
Like who in the world gon' tell Donald Sterl who to put on the "you can't come" list?
Now don't be silly
Who the fuck gon' bully me if I got a billi?
If I got a billi and the bitch recording me I'm like who cares?
What I wouldn't be is on TV stutterin' ta-ta-talkin' scared
So the question is when Don's at home with that traitor ass bitch alone
Who's that voice on the side of the phone that shakes and rattles his bones?
Could it be the man behind, the man behind, the man behind the throne?
Gone
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win
(Everybody doin' it)
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win
Everybody doin' it
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win
(Everybody doin' it)
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win
Everybody doin' it
Everybody doin' it
Everybody doin' it
The song "Lie, Cheat, Steal" by Run the Jewels, featuring Killer Mike and El-P, is a poignant commentary on societal corruption and hypocrisy. The opening lines address the use of drugs, with the imagery of the smoke from a cigarette drifting, and the crucifix that the singer holds it like. The next lines speak to the singer's prowess at being excellent, but only in comparison to others who are only "just dope" - which is reminiscent of the concept of the mediocre majority. The comparison of the ratio of heroin to laxatives that are sold highlights the deception that often takes place and how it can be difficult to distinguish the real from the fake.
The authorities are mentioned as demanding pure devotion, to which the singer responds by suggesting that it causes one to be magnetised to the ground, as if to imply that it cannot be sustained. The phrase "falcons of murder" is used to suggest a powerful and deadly force. The singer then refers to his own state of mind as being "guano," implying an unstable and possibly insane state. He goes on to list some absurdities, such as tea bagging a piranha tank, while holding a toaster plugged with a fork. The line "Cause death by electrocution's like life in New York, isn't it?" highlights the dangerous and deadly nature of everyday life for some people.
Killer Mike's verse speaks to the struggles of people living in underprivileged communities, such as being overworked, underpaid, and underprivileged. He points out that those in these communities are often loved for their ability to feed the village, but then questions whether they have truly made it or simply become a prisoner of privilege. He questions who truly runs the world and those who claim to run it, pointing out the hypocrisy of those who preach non-violence yet also perpetuate violence. He suggests that violence may be necessary to protect oneself and one's community.
The song's chorus, "Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win, win" is repeated throughout the song and serves as a commentary on how these actions are often perceived as necessary in order to succeed in society. Run the Jewels is known for their politically charged and socially conscious lyrics, and "Lie, Cheat, Steal" is no exception.
Line by Line Meaning
Smoke from the loosie drift
The smoke from the cigarette is drifting around aimlessly
Hold it like a crucifix
Holding the cigarette between two fingers in a manner similar to holding a crucifix
Blow from the nose I'm a dragon to a gnome
Blowing the cigarette smoke out of the nose while feeling superior to those who do not smoke
Got a average of bein' excellent the median just dope
Being above average in excellence while being just okay in mediocrity
Like the ratio of heroin to laxative that's sold
Being as effective as the ratio of heroin to the amount of laxative that dealers mix in
Authorities have spoken, demanded your pure devotion
The authorities are demanding your loyalty
Get magnetized to the ground while the falcons of murder close in
Being paralyzed and helpless while impending doom is approaching
I chose to go guano, y'all know, kinda bat shit
Going crazy and losing one's mind
The bright lights of fuckery stuck in me automatic
Being automatically drawn towards chaos and confusion
I’ll tea bag a piranha tank, heart barely beatin'
Performing a reckless action while not being afraid of the consequences
A wild one who’ll swim like directly after he's eaten
Being fearless and continuing to act after experiencing fear or danger
While holding a toaster oven that's plugged with a fork in it
Performing a dangerous action that could cause harm to oneself
Cause death by electrocution's like life in New York, isn't it?
Making a comparison between death by electrocution and the tough life in New York
Shoulda been a dentist, mom said it
The singer's mother suggested that he should have become a dentist
Pain's the way that my craft expresses
Using pain as a means of expressing oneself through music
Born in a little shop of horrors that I can't even afford to rent in
Being born and raised in a tough, dangerous environment
Where's the exit?
Feeling trapped and helpless in a difficult situation
Wanna talk shop I can chop it up with exacto touch, whats the rush?
Being highly skilled and knowledgeable in one's craft
Autograph skin flaps, tag em up
Being so famous that people want to get autographs tattooed on their skin
I don't brag enough you defacto suck
Not bragging enough is equivalent to being not good enough
A lotta you new to the El Producto milieu
Many people are new to the world of El Producto, the artist's music alias
Kinda like “fuck is you?”
Asking newcomers who they are and why they are here
I'm a little black spot on a sun of lies
Being a small part of the truth surrounded by a lot of lies
But I'm not too high to say I'm the truth
Being unafraid to speak the truth and stand by it
I line the booth to catch blood like a Bateman
Having a killer mentality while performing in the recording studio
Nathan sacred I’ll mace a play pen
Being willing to hurt even innocent people in order to defend oneself
Jewel runner bitch make the name stick
Persevering and making one's name stick in the music industry
Not for sale but I'm takin payments
Not being for sale, but accepting payment in exchange for one's hard work
I’m fly as a pegasus, that’s no embellishment
Being very cool and hip
I’m here to pain the whole game, where the Excedrin
Being a contender in the music industry who will make others feel pain
Good pussy, good marijuana that be my medicine
Using sex and drugs as a means of coping and feeling good
And I’m a mixture of MJG and the Weathermen
Being a blend of different music styles
A revolutionary bangin' on my adversaries
Being a rebel and fighting against those who oppose oneself
And I love Dr. King but violence might be necessary
Having respect for peaceful civil rights leaders, but being willing to fight and use violence if necessary
Cause when you live on MLK and it gets very scary
Living in a place that is known for civil rights movements, but also for violence and danger
You might have to pull your AK, send one to the cemetery
Having to resort to using firearms and killing others in order to protect oneself
We overworked, underpaid, and we underprivileged
Being part of a marginalized community that is overworked and underpaid
They love us, they love us (why?)
Being loved by those who exploit and benefit from one's hard work and privilege
Because we feed the village
Being the backbone and support system of one's community
You really made it or just became a prisoner of privilege?
Questioning whether one's success is due to one's own hard work or due to privilege
You willing to share that information that you’ve been given?
Asking others to be honest and transparent about their own privileges
Like who really run this?
Questioning who holds the real power and control
Like who really run that man that say he run this?
Questioning who really controls and runs the person who claims to be in charge
Who who really run that man that say he run this, run run run run this?
Repeating the previous question and emphasizing the importance of knowing the truth
Like who really fund this?
Asking who is behind the funding and financial support
Like who really fund who say he fund this?
Questioning the true source behind those who claim to be funding the music industry
Like who in the world gon' tell Donald Sterl who to put on the “you can’t come” list?
Making fun of Donald Sterling's discriminatory policies and questioning who has the power to control him
Now don’t be silly
Eschewing the notion of being naïve or foolish
Who the fuck gon' bully me if I got a billi?
Feeling invincible and powerful due to one's wealth
If I got a billi and the bitch recording me I’m like who cares?
Being unbothered by scandal or controversy when one has a lot of money
What I wouldn’t be is on TV stutterin' ta-ta-talkin' scared
Being confident and composed on television despite the pressure and scrutiny
So the question is when Don’s at home with that traitor ass bitch alone
Asking what goes on behind closed doors and questioning the motive behind a person's actions
Who’s that voice on the side of the phone that shakes and rattles his bones?
Questioning who has the power to control and manipulate Donald Sterling
Could it be the man behind the man behind the man behind the throne?
Asking if there is someone who holds the true power and control behind the scenes
Everybody doin' it
The repeated chorus emphasizes that everyone is engaging in these deceitful and harmful behaviors
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Royalty Network, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Jaime Meline, Jordan Asher Cruz, Michael Santigo Render, Torbitt Castleman Schwartz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ghostgate
***** I can't make sense of your posts anymore. English can't be your first language.
This is the bottom line. There are three types of things in this world.
1. Things that promote God
2. Things that are NEUTRAL
3. Things that defame God
God doesn't care about number 2! He only cares about 1 and 3. He wants you to do number 1 and to NOT do number 3. Why is this so hard for you to get?
Patrick Connelly
Smoke from the loosie drift
Hold it like a crucifix
Blow from the nose I'm a dragon to a gnome
Got a average of bein' excellent the median just dope
Like the ratio of heroin to laxative that's sold
Authorities have spoken, demanded your pure devotion
Get magnetized to the ground while the falcons of murder close in
I chose to go guano, y'all know, kinda bat shit
The bright lights of fuckery stuck in me automatic
I'll tea bag a piranha tank, heart barely beatin'
A wild one who'll swim like directly after he's eaten
While holding a toaster oven that's plugged with a fork in it
Cause death by electrocution's like life in New York, isn't it?
Shoulda been a dentist, mom said it
Pain's the way that my craft expresses
Born in a little shop of horrors that I can't even afford to rent in
Where's the exit?
Wanna talk shop I can chop it up with exacto touch, whats the rush?
Autograph skin flaps, tag em up
I don't brag enough you defacto suck
A lotta you new to the El Producto milieu
Kinda like "fuck is you?"
I'm a little black spot on a sun of lies
But I'm not too high to say I'm the truth
I line the booth to catch blood like a Bateman
Nathan sacred I'll mace a play pen
Jewel runner bitch make the name stick
Not for sale but I'm takin payments
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win, win
(Everybody doin' it)
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win, win
Everybody doin' it
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win, win
(Everybody doin' it)
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win
I'm fly as a pegasus, that's no embellishment
I'm here to pain the whole game, where the Excedrin
Good pussy, good marijuana that be my medicine
And I'm a mixture of MJG and the Weathermen
A revolutionary bangin' on my adversaries
And I love Dr. King but violence might be necessary
Cause when you live on MLK and it gets very scary
You might have to pull your AK, send one to the cemetery
We overworked, underpaid, and we underprivileged
They love us, they love us (why?)
Because we feed the village
You really made it or just became a prisoner of privilege?
You willing to share that information that you've been given?
Like who really run this?
Like who really run that man that say he run this?
Who who really run that man that say he run this, run run run run this?
Like who really fund this?
Like who really fund who say he fund this?
Like who in the world gon' tell Donald Sterl who to put on the "you can't come" list?
Now don't be silly
Who the fuck gon' bully me if I got a billi?
If I got a billi and the bitch recording me I'm like who cares
What I wouldn't be is on TV stutterin' ta-ta-talkin' scared
So the question is when Don's at home with that traitor ass bitch alone
Who's that voice on the side of the phone that shakes and rattles his bones?
Could it be the man behind the man behind the man behind the throne?
Gone
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win, win
(Everybody doin' it)
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win, win
Everybody doin' it
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win, win
(Everybody doin' it)
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win
Everybody doin' it
blah
I love El-P since Co Flow...but Mike might have had some of the best verses I ever heard on any hip-hop track. Like, any.
"I’m fly as a Pegasus, that’s no embellishment
I’m here to pain the whole game, where the Excedrin
Good pussy, good marijuana that be my medicine
And I’m a mixture of MJG and the Weathermen
A revolutionary bangin' on my adversaries
And I love Dr. King but violence might be necessary
Cause when you live on MLK and it gets very scary
You might have to pull your AK, send one to the cemetery"
LOOK AT MY NAME
I normally don't do this but... You understand why...
[El-P:]
Smoke from the loosie drift
Hold it like a crucifix
Blow from the nose I'm a dragon to a gnome
Got a average of bein' excellent the median just dope
Like the ratio of heroin to laxative that's sold
Authorities have spoken, demanded your pure devotion
Get magnetized to the ground while the falcons of murder close in
I chose to go guano, y'all know, kinda bat shit
The bright lights of fuckery stuck in me automatic
I’ll tea bag a piranha tank, heart barely beatin'
A wild one who’ll swim like directly after he's eaten
While holding a toaster oven that's plugged with a fork in it
Cause death by electrocution's like life in New York, isn't it?
Shoulda been a dentist, mom said it
Pain's the way that my craft expresses
Born in a little shop of horrors that I can't even afford to rent in
Where's the exit?
Wanna talk shop I can chop it up with exacto touch, whats the rush?
Autograph skin flaps, tag em up
I don't brag enough you defacto suck
A lotta you new to the El Producto milieu
Kinda like “fuck is you?”
I'm a little black spot on a sun of lies
But I'm not too high to say I'm the truth
I line the booth to catch blood like a Bateman
Nathan sacred I’ll mace a play pen
Jewel runner bitch make the name stick
Not for sale but I'm takin payments
[Hook - Killer Mike:]
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win
(Everybody doin’ it)
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win
Everybody doin’ it
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win
(Everybody doin’ it)
Lie, cheat, steal, kill, win
[Killer Mike:]
I’m fly as a pegasus, that’s no embellishment
I’m here to pain the whole game, where the Excedrin
Good pussy, good marijuana that be my medicine
And I’m a mixture of MJG and the Weathermen
A revolutionary bangin' on my adversaries
And I love Dr. King but violence might be necessary
Cause when you live on MLK and it gets very scary
You might have to pull your AK, send one to the cemetery
We overworked, underpaid, and we underprivileged
They love us, they love us (why?)
Because we feed the village
You really made it or just became a prisoner of privilege?
You willing to share that information that you’ve been given?
Like who really run this?
Like who really run that man that say he run this?
Who who really run that man that say he run this, run run run run this?
Like who really fund this?
Like who really fund who say he fund this?
Like who in the world gon' tell Donald Sterl who to put on the “you can’t come” list?
Now don’t be silly
Who the fuck gon' bully me if I got a billi?
If I got a billi and the bitch recording me I’m like who cares
What I wouldn’t be is on TV stutterin' ta-ta-talkin' scared
So the question is when Don’s at home with that traitor ass bitch alone
Who’s that voice on the side of the phone that shakes and rattles his bones?
Could it be the man behind the man behind the man behind the throne?
Gone
[Hook]
Everybody doin' it
Everybody doin' it
Everybody doin' it
Ghostgate
El-P makes the best beats in modern hip hop. I said it.
Ghostgate
***** I can't make sense of your posts anymore. English can't be your first language.
This is the bottom line. There are three types of things in this world.
1. Things that promote God
2. Things that are NEUTRAL
3. Things that defame God
God doesn't care about number 2! He only cares about 1 and 3. He wants you to do number 1 and to NOT do number 3. Why is this so hard for you to get?
sinnison23
Words.
sinnison23
Omni Codex Here, let me revise that, then , because yes, you are correct. Retarded, no. Inebriated, yes. Offended, perhaps overly so, by one individual's imagining that they are more correct in their belief than others, yes. Aware of the smacking of hypocrisy in this statement, yes. Ignore that I even made comment.
Ghostgate
sinnison23 Fair. Let's hug it out. I'm Christian, I'm just not insane.
Marc MacDonald
Loving some RTJ!
Metal will always be my first love but these guys have such appeal man
Steven Rhone
❤️❤️
Ian Kadleck
"Could it be the man behind the man behind the man behind the throne" This is such a great line I love RTJ!!!!
Dailyhabitz
Good to see EL get the shine he deserved for so long... Killer Mike deserves equal dap. Take heed youngsters, real rap music still exists.
Laveer Painting and Boatwork
710 people actually thumbs downed this!??! Think they got a few screws loose!! Im going to go see you guys in Oakland in March!!Thank you for all your hard work, you will Always have my LOVE and support, dont stop doin what u do! Peace.