Currently on tour performing at a few international music festivals, Run The Jewels kicked their feet up in a London taxi last week. The pair were in town to play at London’s Field Day, a festival which saw headliners including Caribou, FKA Twigs, HudMo as well as our own Peter Bibby and Chet Faker. As part of super-cool segment Black Cab Sessions, Killer Mike and El-P teamed up with collaborator Boots to perform this wicked rendition of Early.
The Black Cab Sessions motto is “one cab, one song, one take.” I’m curious as to how it works: do they just hop into a cab and go? Do they have one cab that they own and get different drivers to drive around in? What kind of film equipment are they using in such a cramped space? …. okay, I think I’m looking into it too much. Whatever the case may be, it’s a pretty amazing series and well worth a watch. The intimacy, bordering on serious claustrophobia for some of the bands with four or so members, is unparalleled by any other performance. Notable artists who have filled the backseat since its inception in 2007 include St Vincent, Okkervil Rivver, Courtney Barnett, Hot Chip, Roots Manuva and Bon Iver. Seriously – give yourself an hour of free time and watch a handful.
It’s fucking amazing watching how cool and casual Run The Jewels look in the cab, as though rapping at that speed, and with that much lyrical density, is no big deal. While this may be the most subdued performance we’ve ever seen from RTJ, the power is not lost – and that alone is amazing. Having Boots along to perform the hook live is pretty wicked, too.
For more of Run The Jewels performing in strange places, watch this video of them performing in Killer Mike’s barbershop in Atlanta.