El-P and Killer Mike weren't supposed to be a group. Not really. When they first linked up for Mike’s 2012 solo masterpiece R.A.P. Music, they were two industry veterans who had already seen the highest highs and the "why am I still doing this" lows of the underground rap scene. El-P was the definitive architect of the Definitive Jux era, a Brooklyn legend known for dense, paranoid production. Killer Mike was the Southern heavyweight who had outgrown the "Outkast protégé" label to become a political powerhouse. But when they officially formed Run the Jewels in 2013, everything changed.
The chemistry was instant. It was violent. It was funny as hell.
Most people looking for run the jewels run the jewels songs usually start at the beginning, but the "beginning" is a self-titled debut album that sounds like a heist gone wrong in the best way possible. It’s an album that shouldn't have worked. Two guys in their late 30s—an age when most rappers are looking for a comfy podcast chair—decided to release a free record that sounded like a futuristic riot. It didn't just find an audience; it created a cult.
The Raw Energy of the Self-Titled Debut
When you talk about the original run the jewels run the jewels songs, you have to talk about the track "Run the Jewels." It’s the mission statement. It’s the "get in the car, we're doing this" moment. The beat is jagged. It’s abrasive. It sounds like a synthesizer being kicked down a flight of stairs.
Mike comes out the gate talking about a "pistol and a pogo stick," and from that moment, the rulebook was tossed out.
Honestly, the brilliance of that first album is how unpolished it feels compared to their later, more cinematic work like RTJ3 or RTJ4. It’s lean. It’s mean. Tracks like "Banana Clipper" featuring Big Boi showed that they weren't just an "underground" gimmick. They could hang with the legends of the South while keeping that grimy New York edge. There’s a specific kind of alchemy that happens when El-P’s frantic, layered production meets Mike’s booming, authoritative voice. It’s the classic "Odd Couple" trope, but with more pyrotechnics and fewer polite disagreements.
Why the "Jewel Runner" Sound Works
Is it the bass? Maybe.
El-P’s production style is often described as "industrial," but that’s a bit of a lazy label. It’s more like "dystopian funk." If you listen to "Sea Legs," you hear this swerving, drunken melody that somehow stays on the tracks. It’s uncomfortable music that makes you feel incredibly cool while you're listening to it. That’s a hard needle to thread.
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Most run the jewels run the jewels songs thrive on a specific dynamic:
- El-P sets the mood with a beat that feels like a panic attack.
- Killer Mike enters with the confidence of a man who owns the room.
- They trade verses so fast you can’t tell where one ends and the other begins.
- They remind you, repeatedly, that they are the best duo since Outkast.
People often forget how much humor is baked into these tracks. "36" Chain" is a prime example. It’s a song about a literal chain, but it’s played with such absurdist bravado that it becomes more than just another rap trope. It’s a parody and an homage all at once. They aren't just rapping; they're world-building. They created a universe where the "fist and gun" logo represents a specific kind of defiant independence.
Breaking Down "Get It" and "A Christmas Fucking Miracle"
If you want to see the range of the debut, look at the contrast between "Get It" and the closing track "A Christmas Fucking Miracle."
"Get It" is pure adrenaline. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to drive 20 miles per hour over the speed limit. It’s bouncy, it’s infectious, and it features some of the most intricate rhyming patterns on the record. But "A Christmas Fucking Miracle" is where the heart is. It’s a vulnerable, introspective look at the industry and the struggles of being an artist who refuses to sell out.
El-P’s verse on that track is particularly haunting. He talks about the "miracle" of actually surviving and staying true to himself. It’s a reminder that beneath the jokes and the threats of violence, these are two men who genuinely love the craft of hip-hop. They aren't here for the fame. They're here for the work.
The Evolution Beyond the First Album
While the debut set the stage, the subsequent run the jewels run the jewels songs expanded the scope. By the time RTJ2 dropped, the world was on fire. The Ferguson protests were happening, and the duo found themselves becoming the accidental voice of a generation’s frustration. "Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)" with Zack de la Rocha isn't just a song; it’s a sonic assault. It took the energy of the first album and weaponized it.
But let's stick to the self-titled era for a second more.
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One thing that gets overlooked is the track "Ddfh." It stands for "Do Die For High," and it’s a scathing critique of the police state and the drug war. It’s funky, but it’s heavy. Mike’s ability to weave complex political theory into a verse that still bangs in a club is a gift. He doesn't lecture; he testifies. He’s got that Atlanta preacher energy, but instead of a pulpit, he’s got a distorted 808.
Misconceptions About the RTJ Discography
A lot of casual listeners think Run the Jewels is just "angry rap."
That’s a mistake.
If you actually sit with the lyrics of run the jewels run the jewels songs, you realize it’s actually incredibly optimistic. It’s about two guys who were counted out, who the industry thought were "past their prime," and who came back and conquered the festival circuit on their own terms. It’s a story of friendship. Watch any interview with them; they genuinely like each other. That camaraderie bleeds into the music. You can't fake the timing they have on "Twin Hype Back." That’s the result of hours in the studio, probably a lot of weed, and a genuine respect for each other's pens.
Another misconception is that El-P just "makes the beats" and Mike "does the rapping."
Nope.
El-P is one of the most underrated lyricists in the game. His verses are dense puzzles. He uses metaphors that require a literal dictionary sometimes. On the flip side, Mike has a rhythmic pocket that is untouchable. He knows exactly when to lean into the beat and when to push against it. They are two masters of different styles who happened to find a perfect middle ground.
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The Impact of "Job Well Done"
"Job Well Done" is a weird track. It features Until the Quiet Comes-era vibes but with a much more aggressive vocal delivery. It’s where they really lean into the "we are better than everyone else" theme. And honestly? They were right. At that point in 2013, nobody was doing it like them. The "indie-rap" scene had become a bit soft, a bit too intellectual. RTJ brought the "slap you in the face" energy back.
How to Listen to Run the Jewels Today
If you're just diving in, don't just shuffle. You have to listen to the first album from start to finish. It’s only 33 minutes long. It’s a sprint.
The way "No Come Down" transitions into the rest of the record is intentional. It’s designed to be an experience. You start with the heist, you deal with the fallout, and you end with the "miracle."
The legacy of the first run the jewels run the jewels songs isn't just that they sounded good in 2013. It’s that they still sound futuristic in 2026. The production hasn't aged a day. That’s the benefit of El-P’s "analog-futurism"—it doesn't rely on the trendy drum kits of the moment. It creates its own world.
Realizing the Influence
You can hear the RTJ influence in so many modern artists now. That blend of distorted electronics and heavy lyricism has become a blueprint. But nobody does the "back and forth" quite like them. It’s a lost art in hip-hop, where most features are just recorded in separate cities and emailed in. RTJ sounds like they are in the booth at the same time, breathing the same air, pushing each other to go harder.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Fan
To truly appreciate the depth of these tracks, you need to go beyond the Spotify play button.
- Read the lyrics while listening: Use a site like Genius to catch the references. El-P’s sci-fi nods and Mike’s historical/political references are thick. You’ll miss half the song if you just listen to the beat.
- Watch the music videos: The video for "Run the Jewels" (the one with the puppets or the animated ones) captures the aesthetic perfectly. They have a very specific visual language.
- Check out the remix projects: Meow the Jewels started as a joke, but El-P actually finished it. It’s the entire RTJ2 album remixed using only cat sounds. It sounds ridiculous because it is, but it’s also a testament to El-P’s insane production skills.
- Look for live performances: RTJ is one of the few rap acts that actually sounds better live. The energy is communal. It’s not a show; it’s a rally.
The story of Run the Jewels is a story of staying power. It’s a reminder that you don't have to chase trends to stay relevant. You just have to be incredibly good at what you do and find someone who pushes you to be even better. The run the jewels run the jewels songs are more than just tracks on a playlist; they are the soundtrack to a specific kind of defiance that never goes out of style.