On February 24, 2020, El-P teased a snippet of a new song on Instagram with the hashtags “#OOHLALA” and “#RTJ4.” The post has since been deleted. The track was later released on March 25, 2020 on streaming services along with “Yankee and the Brave (ep. 4).”
Asked by GQ who RTJ was most excited about collaborating with on the album, Killer Mike answered:
“The fact that we’re on a record with Greg Nice and [DJ Premier]? To have Preme cutting on a record and to have Greg Nice on a record? C'mon man, it doesn’t get much better.“
El-P added:
“C'mon, man! We’re using our powers for good. We come from that era and we are still here and we’re so excited to use our fucking, whatever it is—our platform, if you want to speak in creepy corporate talk.
First of all—let’s just be real, I know Mike doesn’t like talking about it—but two dudes who were born in 1975 are not supposed to be allowed to be at the cutting edge of music. We’re not supposed to be allowed to be at the table. It’s supposed to be that all of our influences and all of the things that we came up with and love are supposed to have been replaced by a new group of influences that people are rightfully into cause they’re younger and they didn’t experience the moments that we did. But those moments that we had are something that, if you grasp onto them, there’s a vibe that originated in the Golden Era of rap music. If you do it, not with imitation and not with re-creation, but with the spirit, with the essence of it? If you can successfully infuse it into your music? Then you will make people happy and you will make yourself happy. And I think that’s really when Run the Jewels is at its best.“
Ooh La La
Run the Jewels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui (hey)
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui (hey)
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui (let's go)
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui (go, go, go, go)
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui (go, go, go)
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui
Lookin' for M's like I lost a friend
Jump out of my bed like, "Where that bread"
You gon' hold a egg, waiter bring the check
When we talk, we Kalashnikov, keep us in your thoughts
Fully dressed at the crack of dawn, weapons letting off
I can hear them from the block, see them creeping through the fog
Season's greetings, now feeding season can start, oh my god
Look alive, lookin' like I live life on the crooked line
Doin' fine, you want maximum stupid, I am the guy
First of all, fuck the fuckin' law, we is fuckin' raw
Steak tartare, oysters on the half-shell, sushi bar
Life a bitch, and the pussy fish, still fucked her raw
I'm a dog, I'm a dirty dog, ha ha ha ha ha
Ol' dirty bastard, go in your jaw, shimmy, shimmy, ya
Got the semi in the hemi, go and gimme, gimme, ya
Pugilistic, my linguistics are Jeru the Damaja
And I rap it pornographic, bitch, set up the camera
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui (hey)
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui (ah, oui oui)
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui (got some weed, got some weed)
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui (got some weed, got some, ayy)
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui (I need a bottle of Moët, ho, come on)
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui (wassup)
You covet disruption, I got you covered, I'm bustin'
My brother's a runner, he's crushin', it's no discussion
I used to be munchkin, I wasn't 'posed to be nothin'
Y'all fuckers corrupted, or up to somethin disgustin'
My pockets are plump for the season, I love to cuff 'em
I'ma afraid of nothin' but nothin', the same as somethin'
Warmongers are dumpin' a pointed click at your pumpkin (look out)
You're somethin' scrumptious, so put your kids in the oven
Fuck a king or queen and all of their loyal subjects
I'll pull my penis out and I piss on their shoes in public
People, we the pirates, the pride of this great republic
No matter what you order, muhfucka, we're what you're stuck wit
I used to love Bruce, but livin' my vida loca
Help me understand, I'm probably more of a Joker
When we usher in chaos, just know that we did it smilin'
Hannibal's on this island, inmates run the asylum
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui (hey)
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui (hey)
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui (hey)
Ooh, la la
DJ, DJ
Ooh, la la
Ooh, la, la, la, la
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui
La, la, la, la, la
Ah, oui, ah, oui, ah
Ah, ah, ah, oui, oui
In Run the Jewels' song "Ooh La La," the rappers Killer Mike and El-P rap about their wealth and success, while also commenting on the corrupt nature of the world. The opening lines, "Lookin' for M's like I lost a friend/Jump out of my bed like, 'Where that bread'," expresses their attitude towards money, comparing the desire to acquire wealth to the feeling of losing a friend. The song also references violence and war, with lines such as "When we talk, we Kalashnikov, keep us in your thoughts/Fully dressed at the crack of dawn, weapons letting off" and "Warmongers are dumpin' a pointed click at your pumpkin." This could be interpreted as a commentary on the current state of the world, with violence and war being prevalent issues.
The chorus "Ooh la la, ah oui oui" is repeated throughout the song, adding to the idea of wealth and luxury. The French phrase translates to "oh la la, yes yes," which is often associated with something that is sophisticated or stylish. In the context of the song, the phrase represents the luxurious lifestyle that Killer Mike and El-P have acquired through their success in the music industry.
Overall, "Ooh La La" is a commentary on the world's corrupt nature, and the desire to obtain wealth and success despite this. The use of violent imagery adds to the idea that the world is a dangerous place, and the luxury associated with the French phrase in the chorus implies that despite the violent and corrupt nature of the world, Killer Mike and El-P have been fortunate enough to achieve a life of luxury.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh, hey (oh, shit)
A sudden interruption or realization
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm
Lookin' for M's like I lost a friend
Searching for money like it's a lost friend
Jump out of my bed like, 'Where that bread'
Anxious to find money and get out of bed
You gon' hold a egg, waiter bring the check
Eager to pay the bill and leave
When we talk, we Kalashnikov, keep us in your thoughts
When we speak, we have powerful and impactful words
Fully dressed at the crack of dawn, weapons letting off
Ready to face the day with authority and strength
I can hear them from the block, see them creeping through the fog
Sensing a looming presence and threat nearby
Season's greetings, now feeding season can start, oh my god
Excitement about the start of something lucrative
Look alive, lookin' like I live life on the crooked line
Appearing to live dangerously or recklessly
Doin' fine, you want maximum stupid, I am the guy
Feeling confident in one's abilities to handle foolishness
First of all, fuck the fuckin' law, we is fuckin' raw
Disregarding authority and embracing raw, authentic behavior
Steak tartare, oysters on the half-shell, sushi bar
Indulging in expensive, high-class foods
Life a bitch, and the pussy fish, still fucked her raw
Life is difficult, but one still goes after what they want
I'm a dog, I'm a dirty dog, ha ha ha ha ha
Embracing a wild, unapologetic persona
Ol' dirty bastard, go in your jaw, shimmy, shimmy, ya
Referencing the late rapper Old Dirty Bastard and his impact
Got the semi in the hemi, go and gimme, gimme, ya
Referring to a powerful gun and expressing desire for it
Pugilistic, my linguistics are Jeru the Damaja
Having skilled and powerful communication
And I rap it pornographic, bitch, set up the camera
Rapping with explicit content and ready to perform
You covet disruption, I got you covered, I'm bustin'
Being the cause and solution to chaos
My brother's a runner, he's crushin', it's no discussion
One's partner is handling things with ease and efficiency
I used to be munchkin, I wasn't 'posed to be nothin'
Growing into a strong and successful person despite doubts
Y'all fuckers corrupted, or up to somethin disgustin'
Others are involved in shady and unethical behavior
My pockets are plump for the season, I love to cuff 'em
Having plenty of money for the time being
I'ma afraid of nothin' but nothin', the same as somethin'
Fearless and unafraid of the unknown
Warmongers are dumpin' a pointed click at your pumpkin (look out)
Being at risk of experiencing violence and danger
You're somethin' scrumptious, so put your kids in the oven
A playful and suggestive line about someone's appeal
Fuck a king or queen and all of their loyal subjects
Rejecting authority and their supporters
I'll pull my penis out and I piss on their shoes in public
Openly rebelling and causing a scene
People, we the pirates, the pride of this great republic
Taking on the identity of rebels and outsiders
No matter what you order, muhfucka, we're what you're stuck wit
Being the one constant in a chaotic world
I used to love Bruce, but livin' my vida loca
Referencing a past name preference and current lifestyle
Help me understand, I'm probably more of a Joker
Asking for clarification about a potential identity
When we usher in chaos, just know that we did it smilin'
Causing chaos with a sense of humor
Hannibal's on this island, inmates run the asylum
Referencing Hannibal Lector and a chaotic situation
DJ, DJ
Calling attention to the DJ
Ooh, la la
Expressing joy and excitement
Ooh, la, la, la, la
Continuing the expression of excitement
Ooh, ooh
Expressing energy and enthusiasm
Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui
Continuing the expression of joy and excitement
La, la, la, la, la
Repeating a musical and rhythmic phrase
Ah, oui, ah, oui, ah
Repeating a French expression of agreement
Ah, ah, ah, oui, oui
Continuing the French expression of agreement
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Christopher Anthony John Martin, Darryl Barnes, Greg Mays, Jaime Meline, Keith Elam, Michael Santigo Render, Torbitt Castleman Schwartz, Wilder Zody Schwartz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ShelJones
[Verse 1: El-P]
Lookin' for M's like I lost a friend
Jump out of my bed like, "Where the bread?"
You gon' hold the egg, waiter bring the check
When we talk, we Kalashnikov, keep us in your thoughts
Fully dressed at the crack of dawn, weapons letting off
I can hear them from the block, see them creeping through the fog
Season's greetings, now feeding season can start, oh my God
Look alive, lookin' like I live life on a crooked line
Doin' fine, you want maximum stupid, I am the guy
[Verse 2: Killer Mike]
First of all, fuck the fuckin' law, we is fuckin' raw
Steak tartare, oysters on the half-shell, sushi bar
Life a bitch and the pussy fish, still fucked her raw
I'm a dog, I'm a dirty dog, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Ol' Dirty Bastard, go in your jaw, shimmy shimmy ya
Got the semi in the hemi, goin' "Gimme, gimme, y'all"
Pugilistic, my linguistics are Jeru the Damaja
And I rap it pornographic, bitch, set up the camera
[Verse 3: El-P]
You covet disruption, I got you covered, I'm bussin' (Bussin')
My brother's a runner, he's crushin', it's no discussion ('Scussion)
I used to be munchkin, I wasn't 'posed to be nothin' (Nothin')
Y'all fuckers corrupted and up to somethin' disgusting
My pockets are plumper this season, I love to cuff 'em
I'm afraid of nothin' but nothingness, ain't it something?
Warmongers are dumpin', they'll point and click at your pumpkin (Look out)
Your suffering is scrumptious, they'll put your kids in the oven
[Verse 4: Killer Mike]
Fuck a king or queen and all of they loyal subjects
I pull my penis out and I piss on they shoes in public
People, we the pirates, the pride of this great republic
No matter what you order, muhfucker, we what you're stuck with (Sorry)
I used to love Bruce, but livin' my vida loca
Helped me understand I'm probably more of a Joker
When we usher in chaos, just know that we did it smiling
Cannibals on this island, inmates run the asylum
@SunnyDLux
Killer Mike be dressed like Google Chrome
@wudupfammm8555
lol. facts.
@silasjamal1610
😂😂😂
@GeorgiosFerentinos
huhuhuhuhuh - killd it man!!!!
@louis1443
old school POLO you don't know shit about that!
@aaronsalo335
Gangster Cloud Platform 🔫 ☁️☁️☁️ #RTJ4
@LiyahCooper786
“You want maximum stupid, I am the guy.” Never have I identified with lyrics more lmao
@fodebic5253
Maximum stupidity in a song:
https://youtu.be/lCl7I7png08
@warpotato3602
I thought he said I’m the god
@weebteckickedin6734
Liyah Cooper same