Hip-hop duo Run The Jewels have had one hell of a 2015, especially considering they’ve only released two new tracks since their stunning 2014 sophomore, Run The Jewels 2.
From extensive Blade Runner-themed touring to cat albums, from presidential endorsements to powerful statements about civil unrest in the US, they have well and truly established themselves as two of the most important players in hip-hop today.
The pair performed this week on late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live, delivering a stellar rendition of Crown, and Run The Jewels off their eponymous debut album. The live audience must have surely been one of the wildest late night crowds ever, with tonnes of posters, banners, t-shirts and more spotted waving throughout.
As always, Crown was chilling, with that understated beat, live musicians and backing vocals, adding a haunting new element to the track. I’ve always thought that this was one of El-P’s darkest, most captivating verses on the record, and it truly delivered with the kind of energy you don’t witness all too often on late night talk show performances.
Performing a track from their first album was an interesting choice, but considering they weren’t really there to promote anything in particular (in spite of their incredible aforementioned achievements this year, the fact still remains that it’s been more than a year since their last release, but hey, the more RTJ the better), why the hell not? It’s one of the best songs on their debut, and features one of the most menacing rhythms in their entire catalogue.
Chef Adam Perry was another guest on the show, watch Killer Mike and El-P sampling a roast and some delicious looking bourbon.
Read More: “Being raunchy and sexual is not offensive” – we sat down for a chat with Run The Jewels