On 'RTJ4,' Run The Jewels Is A Speaker Box For Society

The hip-hop duo Run the Jewels is keenly aware of what's going on in the world around them. And though the group has never consciously planned it, its previous album releases have seemed to capture the mood during times of upheaval, from the acquittal of George Zimmerman to the 2016 election. Run the Jewels' fourth album, RTJ4, was released a couple of days ahead of schedule on June 3; even though it was written and recorded well before police killed George Floyd on May 25, they once again meet the moment.
Jaime Meline and Michael Render were career artists before they met 10 years ago. Their professional identities — El-P and Killer Mike, respectively — had fan bases, but it wasn't until they went on tour as Run the Jewels that they really clicked with audiences.