10 Best Hip Hop Albums Of The Decade
4. Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels 2
Killer Mike and El-P seemed like an odd pairing at first. Mike was one of southern rap’s unsung heroes, and a man who, despite his drive and hustle, had never truly outgrown his regional stylings, while El-P's legacy was that of a New York underground king with a back catalogue full of dystopian themes, claustrophobic production, and complex lyrical flows.
These differences are what make them such a compelling double act. Joining forces as Run The Jewels has taken both of their careers to the next level, and they’ve produced some of the absolute best rap music of the past five years. 2014’s Run The Jewels 2 is their finest work, and in expanding upon the aggressive, hard-hitting blueprint laid down in their first release, they produced an album that will stand the test of time.
RTJ2 is equal parts conscious and boastful. When Mike & El-P attack, they do so without mercy, but they’re not afraid of reeling things in (“Crown”) or having fun (“Love Again”) either. Defined by its visceral beats, quotable punchlines, and fast-flowing verses, RTJ2 is the sound of two virtuoso rappers in the form of their lives.