Traditionally, blogs and publications are rushing to reveal their best albums for the year as early as possible. At CM we have always featured this in January as a formal bookend for the year that was. Sometimes this plays to our advantage, like when Hip Hop’s dynamic duo Run The Jewels decided to drop an album on Christmas Eve.
Having released their debut and sophomore in back-to-back years I was a bit worried that El-P and Killer Mike didn’t have more RTJ goodies in 2015 ( ‘Meow The Jewels‘ notwithstanding). Fortunately, they came through with just a few days to spare at a time when their music was as necessary as ever.
RTJ3 is a laser-guided missile straight to the heart of 2016 America. Taking aim at police brutality, social inequality and political turmoil (“went to war with the Devil and Shaytan, he wore a bad toupee and a spray tan“), the subject matters are heavy and the production is often post-apocalyptic. Still, the enviable chemistry and instantly memorable deliveries guarantee this album will receive repeat visits for the next 4 years and beyond.
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