Run the Jewels Sound off on Donald Trump and Police Brutality in Socially Conscious ‘Run the Jewels 3’

Char Little

Killer Mike and El-P, the dynamic yet odd duo of Run The Jewels, have given fans something else to talk about in their latest album, “Run The Jewels 3.” They start strong in the first track, “Down” as the two rappers along with Joi show off their lyrical genius. While the beat is a slow one that listeners can bob to, the rap style is much faster and nearly forces listeners stop and think about what Killer Mike and El-P are really saying. Considering their past projects, this was most likely their goal.

They don’t waste time before calling out President-Elect Donald Trump in the second track, “Talk To Me” which gives a listeners a heavy dose of their political views. The instrumentals in the introduction alone provide an intense atmosphere that creates a level of anticipation of what will happen when the lyrics drop.

“…He wore a bad toupee and a spray tan…” Killer Mike rapped of Trump after he called him “the devil.” El-P added, “And you’re safe and sound and these crooks tapped your phone to not have a file on you?”

They’re definitely not strangers to name-dropping when it comes to community leaders. Remember when Killer Mike spoke on Michael Eric Dyson and Cornel West back in 2006? El-P also had a few words for George Bush during the 9/11 fallout. Considering these two were not even a duo at the time, it’s safe to say they are on the same page when it comes to calling out political figures.

As if right on time, “Call Tickertron” adds a dance-pop style to the album when it comes in solid on the fourth track. While they are the ones who are arguably holding down real and authentic Hip-Hop, they also have a little fun and tap into today’s sound of rap in “Stay Gold.”  

Still, the socially conscious style is one that holds true for the entire album. In fact, they wouldn’t be the Run The Jewels duo that we know if it didn’t. From their debut album “Run The Jewels” in 2013 to the sophomore album “Run The Jewels 2” the following year, El-P and Killer Mike were known for their flows that cause controversy yet thought-provoking conversations.

They respond to Donald Trump’s win in “2100” and even have a message for the elite and working class in “Everybody Stay Calm.” This theme continues all the way into the final song “A Report To The Shareholders/Kill Your Master” as Killer Mike raps, “At the Dem Convention my heart broke apart when I seen them march mommas in. As I rap this verse right now, got tears flowing down my chocolate chin.” It’s a sounding off on the African American mothers who lost their children to gun violence and police brutality. “Run The Jewels 3” has left fans with much anticipation on what’s to come in the next installment of the Run The Jewels saga.

“Run The Jewels 3” is available Dec. 25 on Apple Music.