Released 12 years ago this October
Run the Jewels 2
Run the Jewels · 2014
38 min · 11 tracks · hip-hop
Aggressive beats and sharp lyricism collide, creating a visceral experience that challenges social issues with relentless energy.
Top tracks — play these first
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Oh My Darling Don’t Cry — This track showcases a poignant blend of personal reflection and societal critique, highlighted by its catchy hook and incisive verses.
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Close Your Eyes (and Count to Fuck) — A powerful commentary on systemic injustice, it features a haunting collaboration with Zack de la Rocha that amplifies its urgent message.
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Blockbuster Night, Part 1 — With its infectious beat and clever wordplay, this track exemplifies the duo’s signature style while delivering an unapologetic bravado.
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Lie, Cheat, Steal — The song's driving rhythm and provocative lyrics encapsulate the defiance central to the album's ethos, making it a standout anthem.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's aggressive energy and sharp lyricism create a compelling experience that resonates with listeners.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a relentless pace, maintaining aggressive beats and sharp lyricism throughout.
- Each track features complex rhyme schemes and rapid-fire delivery, often layering multiple vocal lines over the instrumentation.
- Several tracks incorporate varied production techniques, such as heavy bass drops and electronic elements, which enhance the intensity of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- relentless energy throughout listening
- sharp lyricism for thoughtful reflection
- short tracks for quick engagement
- cathartic release in aggression
Maybe skip if you
- seeking mellow, easygoing vibes
- prefer lengthy, immersive albums
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Run the Jewels, a duo consisting of Killer Mike and El-P, released their second album, Run the Jewels 2, in 2014 after their self-titled debut in 2013. The album solidified their place in hip-hop as they began to gain widespread recognition for their dynamic chemistry and innovative production styles.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Death Grips· Danny Brown· Aesop Rock
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Close Your Eyes (and Count to Fuck)
The verse shifts in perspective to address systemic oppression directly, invoking urgency through stark imagery.
This direct address breaks from abstraction to present a confrontational tone that underscores the urgency of its message.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Jeopardy 3:21
- 2 Oh My Darling Don’t Cry 3:24
- 3 Blockbuster Night, Part 1 2:32
- 4 Close Your Eyes (and Count to Fuck) 3:54
- 5 All My Life 3:07
- 6 Lie, Cheat, Steal 3:28
- 7 Early 3:44
- 8 All Due Respect 2:47
- 9 Love Again (Akinyele Back) 2:51
- 10 Crown 3:45
- 11 Angel Duster 5:08
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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