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 2012โฒs legendary, hugely successful โInto The Wildโ 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-Leรณn, 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.
Sea Legs
Run the Jewels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Man, print this shit, I'm a misfit
Got a style from the guts of the most irrational beast in the district
Born to the next gen system
Slow water drip to the temple to live in a prison
When the walls don't appear to your vision
One floor down from that mall's that prison
Where shower stalls get all y'all missin'
But fuck I know, I just crawled here, cap'n
Pass me the baton, the rest a y'all batten the hatches
In fact, better scram, I'm a bastard
On the lam in a hatchback blasting some rap shit, trying not to slam into traffic
With my feet on the wheel and my hands through the moon roof laughing
Let's crash this
See the truth from the womb is a fool-proof
Plan to be doomed while the damned do they dances
So I move through the room like an animal fooling a master
But I don't got love for the hand with the food, matter fact I am drooling at that shit
I don't only bite but I'm rabid
Try to pet my fucking head again and I'mma put
A tooth through the flesh of the palm that you jack with
This city just screams black magic, and the threat to my heart got traction
Maybe should've never started this path
Every time I get a chance to advance it's backwards
No thanks to my very own actions
Get a couple good drinks in the kid
I can flip on a friend, take a drug, fuck a chick that I shouldn't
Oh god, I am one of those mad men
Trying not to walk crooked while this anchor's dropped
But I been out on them choppy waves
And it's hard to say where this land begins and that water stops
I got sea legs, I got sea legs, I got sea legs
Real shit, I came for the jewels
I'm the killer of kings and fools
I'm the reason the season for treason starts this evening
And this evening the odds ain't even
People praying to the gods but the gods ain't even listening
Don't matter if you're Muslim, Hebrew, Christian
When death run in the distance there will be no Mercy me's
There will be no reprieve for the thieves
There will be no respect for The Thrones
No master mastered these bones
Your idols all are my rivals
I rival all of your idols
I stand on towers like Eiffel, I rifle down all your idols
Niggas will perish in Paris, niggas is nothing but parrots
I write for the writers that write for the liars that impress you and your parents
Is this real or another dimension?
Am I trippin' here in the kitchen?
Am I a victim of my convictions?
I feel my sanity slippin'
And I think I like the freedom
Cannibal, animal, rappers I eat 'em
Even in Dubai I smoke like it's legal
Bitch so exotic she rode on a zebra
Made in America home of the (Eagle)
Home of the (Anger), home of the (Evil)
Do what I do for the good of my people
Holding my lane, smoke jane in a Regal
Trying not to walk crooked while this anchor's dropped
But I been out on them choppy waves
And it's hard to say where this land begins and that water stops
I got sea legs, I got sea legs, I got sea legs
Trying not to walk crooked while this anchor's dropped
But I been out on them choppy waves
And it's hard to say where this land begins and that water stops
I got sea legs, I got sea legs, I got sea legs
The lyrics of Run the Jewels's song Sea Legs are quite dense and contain social commentary, personal reflection, and a sense of rebellion against authority. The opening lines convey an admission of failure or a sense of falling off. And it is followed by a description of the singer's style as something that comes from the irrational beast within him, which could be interpreted as a reference to embracing his inner turmoil to create art. The line "born to the next gen system" could be an allusion to the burden and baggage that comes with being part of a generation that is expected to make new things happen.
The lyrics shift to a description of the prison-like conditions of the city and the frustrations that come from feeling trapped. The singer describes this environment as being permeated by black magic, which could be a metaphor for the oppressive forces that keep him and others like him down. This environment induces madness, making the singer acknowledge that he is "one of those mad men."
The song then shifts to a tone of defiance, with the singer claiming to be the "killer of kings and fools" and challenging the traditional power structures. The references to different religions suggest that these power structures are not limited to one group or ideology. The lines "I stand on towers like Eiffel, I rifle down all your idols" suggest a desire to overthrow symbols of authority and tradition. This tone of rebellion is tempered by lines such as "Do what I do for the good of my people," suggesting that there is a sense of social obligation behind the anger and frustration expressed in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Really fell off the lane with this shit
I've lost my way and don't know how to right myself.
Man, print this shit, I'm a misfit
I'm an outsider and I embrace it wholeheartedly.
Got a style from the guts of the most irrational beast in the district
My music comes from the wildest, most unpredictable place inside me.
Born to the next gen system
I was made to thrive in the future of music, not the past.
Slow water drip to the temple to live in a prison
I'm trapped, like water droplets steadily falling, in a place that's confining and suffocating.
When the walls don't appear to your vision
When you're trapped, everything seems insurmountable, like walls that are invisible to you.
One floor down from that mall's that prison
The mall, like so many other things, is a trapโanother form of imprisonment.
Where shower stalls get all y'all missin'
Even in something as mundane as a shower, you can lose yourself and your sense of purpose.
Pardon me, I got half-wit vision
I may not be perfect, but I'm doing my best.
But fuck I know, I just crawled here, cap'n
I don't really know anything. I'm just a lost soul trying to find my way.
Pass me the baton, the rest a y'all batten the hatches
I'm taking the lead, the rest of you hold on tight and prepare for the storm.
In fact, better scram, I'm a bastard
I'm not an easy person to deal with. You should probably leave while you still can.
On the lam in a hatchback blasting some rap shit, trying not to slam into traffic
I'm speeding down the road, blasting music, trying not to crash and burn.
With my feet on the wheel and my hands through the moon roof laughing
I'm reckless, doing whatever I want and laughing at the consequences.
Let's crash this
Let's go all out, even if it means destroying everything in our path.
See the truth from the womb is a fool-proof
From the moment we're born, we know what's what, and we can't be tricked.
Plan to be doomed while the damned do they dances
We all know we're going to die, and the damned celebrate it with wild abandon.
So I move through the room like an animal fooling a master
I'm cunning and mischievous, able to outwit anyone who thinks they're in control.
But I don't got love for the hand with the food, matter fact I am drooling at that shit
I don't love the people who hold power over me. In fact, I'm salivating at the idea of taking that power away.
I don't only bite but I'm rabid
I'm not just a little mad, I'm completely unhinged.
Try to pet my fucking head again and I'mma put a tooth through the flesh of the palm that you jack with
Don't try to fool me or take advantage of me. I'll bite back and leave a lasting mark.
This city just screams black magic, and the threat to my heart got traction
This city is full of dark secrets and dangers, and those dangers are starting to take hold of me.
Maybe should've never started this path
Maybe it would have been better if I had never pursued this music career.
Every time I get a chance to advance it's backwards
For every step forward, there's two steps back.
No thanks to my very own actions
I'm my own worst enemy. I keep making things harder for myself.
Get a couple good drinks in the kid, I can flip on a friend, take a drug, fuck a chick that I shouldn't
When I'm drunk, I'm reckless and I do things I shouldn't.
Oh god, I am one of those mad men
I'm crazy, and there's no denying it.
Trying not to walk crooked while this anchor's dropped
Despite feeling weighed down and trapped, I'm trying to keep moving forward.
But I been out on them choppy waves
Life has been unpredictable and difficult.
And it's hard to say where this land begins and that water stops
It's difficult to tell where my life as a rapper ends and my personal life begins.
I got sea legs, I got sea legs, I got sea legs
I've become adept at navigating a life that's constantly in motion and changing.
Real shit, I came for the jewels
I'm here for the money and fame.
I'm the killer of kings and fools
I'm out to destroy anyone who stands in my way, whether they're powerful or weak.
I'm the reason the season for treason starts this evening
I'm the one who's going to cause chaos and rebellion tonight.
And this evening the odds ain't even
There's a good chance things aren't going to end well for anyone.
People praying to the gods but the gods ain't even listening
No matter how much you pray, sometimes the universe just doesn't care.
Don't matter if you're Muslim, Hebrew, Christian
Everyone is in the same boat, no matter what their religion.
When death run in the distance there will be no Mercy me's
When death is near, nobody is going to save you.
There will be no reprieve for the thieves
Those who've committed crimes and gotten away with them won't get a second chance.
There will be no respect for The Thrones
Even those who have power and wealth won't be able to escape death.
No master mastered these bones
There's no controlling what happens to your body when you die.
Your idols all are my rivals
I'm not here to praise anyone. I'm here to compete.
I rival all of your idols
No matter who you look up to, I'm better than them.
I stand on towers like Eiffel, I rifle down all your idols
I'm on top, looking down on everyone else, ready to take them all out.
Niggas will perish in Paris, niggas is nothing but parrots
Even in a beautiful city like Paris, people die. And most people are just repeating what they've heard from others.
I write for the writers that write for the liars that impress you and your parents
I'm writing for the people who create the image of what's cool and popular, even if it's all bullshit.
Is this real or another dimension?
Sometimes it feels like I'm living in a separate reality from everyone else.
Am I trippin' here in the kitchen?
Am I going crazy, or is this just a strange dream?
Am I a victim of my convictions?
Have I brought all of this upon myself?
I feel my sanity slippin'
My grip on my own mind is slipping away.
And I think I like the freedom
Even if it means losing my mind, I like the feeling of being free to do whatever I want.
Cannibal, animal, rappers I eat 'em
I devour other rappers like a wild beast.
Even in Dubai I smoke like it's legal
Even in a place where smoking is frowned upon, I do it anyway.
Bitch so exotic she rode on a zebra
The women I'm with are wild and unconventional.
Made in America home of the (Eagle)
I'm proud to be American, and I embrace the values that come with it.
Home of the (Anger), home of the (Evil)
America isn't perfect, and there are plenty of negative things to be found here too.
Do what I do for the good of my people
I'm doing what I can to help others, even if it means putting my own life on the line.
Holding my lane, smoke jane in a Regal
I'm doing my own thing, smoking weed and driving my car like a boss.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Royalty Network, O/B/O CAPASSO, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Jaime Meline, Michael Santigo Render
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anita Hailey
Lyrics:
[Verse 1: El-P]
Really fell out the lane with this shit
Man, print this shit: I'm a misfit
Got a style from the guts of the most irrational beast in the district
Born to the next-gen system
Slow water drip to the temple to live in a prison
When the walls don't appear to your vision
One floor down from that mall's that prison
Where shower stalls'll get all y'all missin'
Pardon me, I got half-wit vision
But fuck I know? I just crawled here, cap'n
Pass me the baton, the rest o' ya'll batten the hatches
In fact, better scram, I'm a bastard
On the lam in a hatchback blasting some rap shit
Trying not to slam into traffic
With my feet on the wheel and my hands
Through the moon roof laughing, let's crash this
See, the truth from the womb is a fool-proof plan
To be doomed while the damned do they dances
So I move through the room like an animal fooling a master
But I don't got love for the hand with the food
Matter fact, I am drooling at that shit
I don't only bite, but I'm rabid
Try to pet my fucking head again
And I'mma put a tooth through the flesh
Of the palm that you jack with
This city just screams black magic
And the threat to my heart got traction
Maybe should've never started this path
Every time I get a chance to advance, it's backwards
No thanks to my very own actions
Get a couple good drinks in the kid
I can flip on a friend, take a drug, fuck a chick that I shouldn't
Oh god, I am one of those mad men
[Chorus: Killer Mike & El-P]
Trying not to walk crooked while this anchor's dropped
But I been out on them choppy waves and it's hard to say
Where this land begins and that water stops
I got sea legs
I got sea legs
I got sea legs
[Verse 2: Killer Mike & El-P]
Real shit, I came for the jewels
I'm the killer of kings and fools
I'm the reason the season for treason starts this evening
And this evening, the odds ain't even
People praying to the gods but the gods ain't even listening
Don't matter if you're Muslim, Hebrew, Christian
When death runs in the distance
There will be no 'mercy me's
There will be no reprieve for the thieves
There will be no respect for The Thrones
No master mastered these bones
Your idols all are my rivals, I rival all of your idols
I stand on towers like Eiffel, I rifle down all your idols
Niggas will perish in Paris, niggas is nothing but parrots
I write for the writers that write for the liars
That impress you and your parents
Is this real or another dimension?
Am I trippin' here in the kitchen?
Am I a victim of my convictions?
I feel my sanity slippin'
And I think I like the freedom
Cannibal, animal, rappers I eat 'em
Even in Dubai, I smoke like it's legal
Bitch so exotic, she rode on a zebra
Made in America, home of the eagle
Home of the anger, home of the evil
Do what I do for the good of my people
Holding my lane, smoke jane in a Regal
[Chorus: El-P & Killer Mike]
Trying not to walk crooked while this anchor's dropped
But I been out on them choppy waves and it's hard to say
Where this land begins and that water stops
I got sea legs
I got sea legs
I got sea legs
Trying not to walk crooked while this anchor's dropped
But I been out on them choppy waves and it's hard to say
Where this land begins and that water stops
I got sea legs
I got sea legs
I got sea legs
mason
[El-P:]
Really fell out the lane with this shit
Man, print this shit: I'm a misfit
Got a style from the guts of the most irrational beast in the district
Born to the next gen system
Slow water drip to the temple to live in a prison
When the walls don't appear to your vision
One floor down from that mall's that prison
Where shower stalls'll get all y'all missin'
Pardon me, I got half-wit vision
But fuck I know, I just crawled here, cap'n
Pass me the baton, the rest a ya'll batten the hatches
In fact, better scram, I'm a bastard
On the lam in a hatchback blasting some rap shit, trying not to slam into traffic
With my feet on the wheel and my hands through the moon roof laughing
Let's crash this
See the truth from the womb is a fool-proof plan to be doomed while the damned do they dances
So I move through the room like an animal fooling a master
But I don't got love for the hand with the food, matter fact I am drooling at that shit
I don't only bite but I'm rabid
Try to pet my fucking head again and I'mma put a tooth through the flesh of the palm that you jack with
This city just screams black magic, and the threat to my heart got traction
Maybe should've never started this path
Every time I get a chance to advance it's backwards
No thanks to my very own actions
Get a couple good drinks in the kid
I can flip on a friend, take a drug, fuck a chick that I shouldn't
Oh god, I am one of those mad men
[Hook:]
Trying not to walk crooked while this anchor's dropped
But I been out on them choppy waves and it's hard to say where this land begins and that water stops
I got sea legs [x3]
[Killer Mike:]
Real shit, I came for the jewels
I'm the killer of kings and fools
I'm the reason the season for treason starts this evening
And this evening the odds ain't even
People praying to the gods but the gods ain't even listening
Don't matter if you're Muslim, Hebrew, Christian
When death runs in the distance there will be no Mercy me's
There will be no reprieve for the thieves
There will be no respect for The Thrones
No master mastered these bones
Your idols all are my rivals
I rival all of your idols
I stand on towers like Eiffel, I rifle down all your idols
Niggas will perish in Paris, niggas is nothing but parrots
I write for the writers that write for the liars that impress you and your parents
Is this real or another dimension?
Am I trippin' here in the kitchen?
Am I a victim of my convictions?
I feel my sanity slippin'
And I think I like the freedom
Cannibal, animal, rappers I eat'em
Even in Dubai I smoke like it's legal
Bitch so exotic she rode on a zebra
Made in America home of the (eagle)
Home of the (anger), home of the (evil)
Do what I do for the good of my people
Holding my lane, smoke jane in a Regal
crashing spectacular
RTJ is so ahead of the game it's unbelievable. This is one of their top 10 tracks easily
Dee Patrick
agreed, love this and Run the Jewels
PROD. BY E. JACOBS
This is one of my all time favorite RTJ tracks.
The production is so fucking raw.
Scrambles the Death Dealer
I would love to have El-P make a track with me. Dude is a modern genius, both of them actually.
Jud Sanford
Brilliantly done
Imran Latheef
This song deserves a music video
Rob Maple
+Imran Latheef Thanks you.
angry reader
Imran Latheef I wanna see El-P on a lam in a hatchback blasting some rap shit, trying not to slam into traffic
Rielhawk RHT
feat. Keanu Reeves. haha
Isaac_ craft Paul
Yeah!