Run The Jewels, the firebrand rap duo of El-P and Killer Mike, have announced their hugely anticipated third album RTJ3 will have a worldwide digital release date of January 13 with physical editions available on that date in North America and on January 20 internationally. The new full length will be self-released in partnership with RED Distribution. The album will be available in several formats, including deluxe CD, deluxe 2LP, and digital. The announcement arrives on the heels of the recently released new songs “2100 (ft. BOOTS)” and “Talk To Me”. The album features a cadre of talented guest performers, including Danny Brown, Tunde Adebimpe of TV On The Radio, Trina, saxophonist Kamasi Washington and more, but the new album is first and foremost about the explosion of creativity born from the unique collaboration between Mike and El, a partnership-turned-friendship that has pushed both rappers to new heights in their storied careers. Full tracklist below.
On their 3rd offering, Run The Jewels have turned their iconic “pistol & fist” imagery (conceived by El-P & drawn by Nick Gazin) 3D, rendering the original album cover concept as a sculpture of the hands cast in metal, chromed, and gold-plated. The resulting statues were beautifully photographed & brought to life by frequent collaborator Tim Saccenti, and grace the new album cover.
RTJ has this to say about the artwork:
“For us, the RTJ1 hands were about ‘taking what’s yours’ - your world, your life, your attitude. The RTJ2 hands were wrapped in bandages, signifying injury and healing, which for us represented the growth in ideas and tone of that album. For RTJ3 the bandages are off, the chain is gone and the hands have been transformed into gold. For us this represents the idea that there is nothing to take that exists outside of yourself. You are the jewel.”
In the two year span between albums, Run The Jewels have transformed from underground stalwarts to a global rap juggernaut, spawning an international art movement (Tag The Jewels), a radio show (WRTJ on Beats1), several Marvel comic cover variants (including issues of Deadpool and Luke Cage among others), characters in a video game (Gears of War 4), their own Virtual Reality initiative (VRTJ), multiple awards & accolades (including Pitchfork’s 2014 album of the year, NME’s “Best Festival Band” & “Best International Band”, four A2IM Libera Awards, two UK Music Video Awards, Music Ally’s “Best Independent Digital Campaign” and more), multiple television appearances (including a hilarious Halloween-themed sketch with Stephen Colbert this October), plus a slate of sold out shows and high profile festival appearances. Their Run the World tour sets off on January 11th with a massive North American campaign, European dates will be announced for spring, followed by a string of festival appearances in the summer.
Last but not least, in celebration of the album announcement, the duo have dropped “Legend Has It”, the 3rd new song from RTJ3. The track showcases the relentless back & forth lyricism, indelible chemistry, humor & bombast that Killer Mike & El-P are known & loved for. The song, and the entire album, was produced by El-P, and co-produced by Little Shalimar & Wilder Zoby.
Confirmed European Festival Appearances:
- 4 Apr – 8 Apr 17 Mayrhofen, Austria @ Snowbombing
- 31 May – 4 June 17 Barcelona, Spain @ Primavera Sound
- 9 Jun 17 Aarhus, Denmark @ Northside Festival