RTJ2
by Run the Jewels
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 470 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 433 out of 470
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 470
  3. Negative: 27 out of 470
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  1. SixStringNinja
    May 9, 2015
    10
    Absolutely an improvement from RTJ1 in every aspect - production, beat quality, flow...I mean, hell, even the f*cking COVER ART is better than RTJ1. The only complaint I have is about the "dick in her mouth" theme on Love Again (Akinyele Black), which feels tasteless, but better than any of Tyler, the Creator's rape-fantasy horsesh*t on Goblin. Beyond those two complaints, though, you haveAbsolutely an improvement from RTJ1 in every aspect - production, beat quality, flow...I mean, hell, even the f*cking COVER ART is better than RTJ1. The only complaint I have is about the "dick in her mouth" theme on Love Again (Akinyele Black), which feels tasteless, but better than any of Tyler, the Creator's rape-fantasy horsesh*t on Goblin. Beyond those two complaints, though, you have a rap collaboration that outmatches Jay-Z and Kanye's "The Throne" cash-grab in every aspect. Highlights: every single track. Seriously. So good.… Expand
  2. Gaston44
    Dec 5, 2014
    10
    I don't use this word a lot, but these tracks are actually sick. The production is fabulous and not too overdone. The lyrics are hard hitting and understandable. Once you start listening, you really don't want to stop. It's that fabulous. My favorite since GKMC.
  3. DisasterpieceMK
    Nov 2, 2014
    10
    I *almost* did not want to listen to this record because of my love for their first - my thought was, "how are they going to even come close?" I don't listen to as much hip-hop as I did about ten or fifteen years ago (yeesh, that aged me) but I could not stop listening to RTJ last summer, especially during some hot Texas distance runs. It gets you pumped to do $hit. So, when I gave RTJ2 aI *almost* did not want to listen to this record because of my love for their first - my thought was, "how are they going to even come close?" I don't listen to as much hip-hop as I did about ten or fifteen years ago (yeesh, that aged me) but I could not stop listening to RTJ last summer, especially during some hot Texas distance runs. It gets you pumped to do $hit. So, when I gave RTJ2 a first listen.... *insert head-exploding.gif* Woah. Do yourself a favor - Bow to the masters, Ladies & Gentlemen. (Personal favorite track - "Love Again". The grimiest beat to the most beautiful love song ever made.)… Expand
  4. TimW001
    Jan 8, 2016
    10
    This album is a mastery of hip-hop. I can not stop listening to this album. It's on repeat constantly. Most of the songs on the album are a strong 10 and even the weaker songs are a 9. It is top to bottom an awesome album. If you are a fan of rap or music it is a must listen.
  5. hiphop97
    Oct 29, 2014
    10
    Everything from the beats to the lyrics are insane. El-P and Killer Mike have so much chemistry and bring a lot of energy to this album. This album shows how the duo have matured since their last album. I definitely prefer this to the first RTJ album. Definite album of the year for me.
  6. Dave_Acker
    Nov 30, 2014
    10
    Everything has been improved. The beats are even better than before, the lyrics are much deeper. The production and raps flow together so well that the whole album sounds like one song. Truly incredible and nearly flawless.
  7. phenomgoodmusic
    Dec 5, 2014
    10
    Along with Piñata (by Freddie Gibbs and Madlib), this is by far one of the best rap album of 2014. It's probably the greatest album of 2014 overall. It's a classic. It's raw. It's unique. It's addictive. It's Amazing. Even though the RJT1 is great, this album is better.
  8. ultraviolenmilk
    Nov 9, 2014
    10
    Çfarë një album të mirë ! Ndoshta më të mirë gjatë gjithë vitit ! Release zgjuar nga këto dy . Unë nuk mund të besoj se unë jam duke thënë këtë , por kjo është më mirë se i pari .
    10/10
    rekomanduar krejtësisht !
  9. ChazeMan
    Oct 29, 2014
    10
    Wow, just wow. They literally stepped every single aspect up from the first album. Hits harder, cuts deeper, and is just .... incredible.. in every way.
    The lyrics are so deep, but the beats are so bangin that it takes a lot of listens to really fully comprehend how lyrical Mike and EL are here. And speaking of them, them chemistry is absolutely flawless.
    Just.. go cop this record...    Wow, just wow. They literally stepped every single aspect up from the first album. Hits harder, cuts deeper, and is just .... incredible.. in every way.
    The lyrics are so deep, but the beats are so bangin that it takes a lot of listens to really fully comprehend how lyrical Mike and EL are here. And speaking of them, them chemistry is absolutely flawless.
    Just.. go cop this record... right now. its a free download so get ready to run em.
    And once you've ran them, go buy the CD and support these epic artists.    … Expand
  10. BuilderOfWhat
    Oct 29, 2014
    10
    The best part of RTJ2 is how effortlessly it seems to flow from one track to the next. Once you play the first track "Jeopardy", you get sucked into the album and it's over before you know it. Killer Mike and El-P have made it clear that they are some of the best rappers out there today. Easily the best hip-hop album of the year.
  11. drewski_33
    Nov 4, 2014
    10
    Banger after banger.

    Relieved that I can still Run the Jewels on shuffle. Sorry Kendrick, best sound in rap right now.

    Everything El-P touches kills. COLD VEIN. FANTASTIC DAMAGE. CANCER 4 CURE.
  12. fttw_
    Nov 28, 2014
    10
    I created a metacritic account JUST to review this album. It's comfortably the best album I've heard this year and the best hip hop album I've heard in years. Guaranteed to go down as a classic, it's an astounding album. When it's over you feel like you've been abused, but in the best possible way. A 10/10 if ever there was one in almost every way. Innovative, amazingly produced,I created a metacritic account JUST to review this album. It's comfortably the best album I've heard this year and the best hip hop album I've heard in years. Guaranteed to go down as a classic, it's an astounding album. When it's over you feel like you've been abused, but in the best possible way. A 10/10 if ever there was one in almost every way. Innovative, amazingly produced, incredible rhymes and inventive subject matter. A classic.… Expand
  13. TrofeoGES_UNK
    Dec 10, 2014
    10
    I only recently discovered them, but good God they are phenomenal, from the relatively original beats to the amazing flow both of them posses, easily the best rap due I've ever seen, I dare say they are better than OutKast.
  14. HyperspaceHuman
    Dec 22, 2014
    10
    Every track on RTJ2 is a masterpiece. The lyrical content flows melodiously and is rife with political & social commentary. The synergy between El-P and Killer Mike is well, killer. Improves on every aspect of their first album. Definitely my choice for best album of 2014.
  15. chickenbowl
    Mar 19, 2015
    10
    Super poignant, spares no one. Great production, great flow, great on re-listens. I get something new out of this album after every listen. RTJ is up there with Kendrick and Kanye at the top of modern hip hop.
  16. FraarfS
    Apr 23, 2015
    10
    this is easily the most addictive rap record of the year.
    El-P and Killer Mike really outdid themselves on this thing.
    album of the year for me. .
  17. Urbanlistener
    Apr 22, 2015
    10
    Following its first EP, the RTJ rap group composed of Killer Mike and El-p returns stronger and better. The album is perfect on every aspect, Killer Mike still kills it lyrically and proves he can adapt to the changing times in hip-hop with his consistent lack of wackness and El-p's great bangin beats makes this album one of the best hip-hop albums in years.
  18. sentend
    May 1, 2016
    10
    the best album of 2014 hands down. Such a compulsively listenable and enjoyable album, you get 2 rappers at the top of their game feeding off and complimenting each other in mesmerizing ways. These guys are the future of rap.
  19. BrennanH
    Jan 19, 2020
    10
    This is hip hop at its finest, it’s literally some of the coolest stuff I’ve heard in this industry. They are definitely one of the most underrated artists of the last decade.
  20. comradebrett
    Feb 3, 2021
    10
    Run the Jewels could very well be the most impressive hip-hop duo since OutKast. Veteran MC's Killer Mike and El-P as a pair have so much skill, chemistry, and energy together. The album is aggressive and hard. One of my go to albums when I need some music to pump me up. My favorite tracks are Oh My Darling Don't Cry; Close Your Eyes (And Count to **** Lie, Cheat, Steal: Early: and Jeopardy.
  21. ChiIIaoi
    Jul 19, 2023
    10
    Review só pra lembrar a nota que eu dei pro album:
    album mt bom, agora só escrever pra passar dos 75 caracteres.
  22. brockcheese
    Aug 30, 2015
    9
    This is one of the best Hip-Hop albums I've ever heard. Every song has incredible layered production that gets crazier as time progresses. The chemistry is perfect.
  23. r0tan0rtan
    Oct 27, 2014
    9
    More badass, brasher, and braggadocios than the first one. This album's beats are superior to the original RTJ and the themes reach darker, deeper depths. Mike and El, unsurprisingly come in with astonishing verses, and the guests they bring in make tremendous use of their time on the album. Top 5 album of the year in any genre, but as of now, it stands shoulders above any other rap albumMore badass, brasher, and braggadocios than the first one. This album's beats are superior to the original RTJ and the themes reach darker, deeper depths. Mike and El, unsurprisingly come in with astonishing verses, and the guests they bring in make tremendous use of their time on the album. Top 5 album of the year in any genre, but as of now, it stands shoulders above any other rap album released this year. All hail Run the Jewels.

    Score : 8.9 - 9.1 / 10    … Expand
  24. Daniel_B
    Jan 15, 2015
    9
    Absolutely an improvement over the duo's first record. RTJ2 shares a lot with its predecessor lyrically, but El-P shines a bit more on this record than the first one, as does his production, which is outstanding.
    The record also features some amazing features from the likes of Zack De La Rocha, Boots, Travis Barker, and the late Ikey Owens, whose piano outro on Angel Duster closes the    Absolutely an improvement over the duo's first record. RTJ2 shares a lot with its predecessor lyrically, but El-P shines a bit more on this record than the first one, as does his production, which is outstanding.
    The record also features some amazing features from the likes of Zack De La Rocha, Boots, Travis Barker, and the late Ikey Owens, whose piano outro on Angel Duster closes the album with one hell of a bang.
    In fact, Angel Duster is probably the best track of 2014.
    9.5 would be more appropriate, but Metacritic doesn't have half-points.    … Expand
  25. comebackkid12
    Dec 8, 2014
    9
    Killer Mike and El-P have done it again, except this time, they're bigger, meaner, louder, and better on this collaboration "RTJ2." With the intensity dialed up into torturous proportions, El-P has taken his production to unprecedented levels, giving one of the top wordsmith's a dark, violent background to rap over, though El-P is able to hold his own just as well. Fierce and fast, thisKiller Mike and El-P have done it again, except this time, they're bigger, meaner, louder, and better on this collaboration "RTJ2." With the intensity dialed up into torturous proportions, El-P has taken his production to unprecedented levels, giving one of the top wordsmith's a dark, violent background to rap over, though El-P is able to hold his own just as well. Fierce and fast, this near 40-minute album is one of 2014's (if not the) greatest releases. Standout tracks for me would have to be the sinister, head-splitting, siren-filled "Blockbuster Night, Pt. 1" and the oh-so-fitting song for these two, "Close Your Eyes (And Count to F**k)."… Expand
  26. thall1599
    Oct 30, 2014
    9
    The most awesome rap duo since Andre 3k and Big Boi. This is a statement I am willing to admit, based on my opinion. There really is nothing else to say.
  27. rubenseaton
    Nov 2, 2014
    9
    Every line is spat out with the most brash, hostile verbosity it's a wonder my ears haven't shrivelled up and died. This album sets its sights high and exceeds them in every way; the duo's chemistry is one-of-a-kind, both bringing something different to the table. I have a feeling this album will be going round and round well into 2015. RUN THEM JEWELS FAST!
  28. MrMusic828
    Mar 3, 2015
    9
    On "RTJ2," the brash, aggressive style heard in the first collaborative album between Killer Mike and El-P is back and better than ever. The duo even manages to get a guest verse from former Rage Against The Machine frontman Zack de la Rocha, who hasn't released any new material in years. Overall, the album is impressive, just like the chemistry between the two MCs. Every beat is anOn "RTJ2," the brash, aggressive style heard in the first collaborative album between Killer Mike and El-P is back and better than ever. The duo even manages to get a guest verse from former Rage Against The Machine frontman Zack de la Rocha, who hasn't released any new material in years. Overall, the album is impressive, just like the chemistry between the two MCs. Every beat is an absolute banger with the bass turned up to 11, and Killer Mike and El-P flaunt their lyricism on song after song. This is visceral, high-octane rap at its very best.… Expand
  29. Tersivwz
    Dec 12, 2014
    9
    It seems like there aren't any rappers as smart as Killer Mike who are making anything lately, and EL P is doing something cool and fresh with the production. RTJ2 is hard af, dark and angsty. Dis album iz 2 cool. (love again is however the most retarded song in the set.)
  30. MCRR
    May 31, 2015
    9
    A seriously 'bullet-proof' album, about as close to a'10' as it gets. A fabulous pairing Of 'Mike' and El-P.
    Slick flow, 'bad' beats and wicked production. Even Zack De La Roca makes an appearance.
    A must have album!
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Album of 2014
24
#24 Most Discussed Album of 2014
9
#9 Most Shared Album of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. The Wire
    Dec 16, 2014
    80
    This is the sound of two mature rap gentlemen throwing it up for one of hiphop's most enduring, if not always endearing, charms: utter immaturity. [Dec 2014, p.54]
  2. Q Magazine
    Dec 8, 2014
    80
    On every possible level, this album is a total blast. [Jan 2015, p.128]
  3. Under The Radar
    Dec 3, 2014
    90
    Whether it's rage or just two guys trying to make each other laugh with dark humor, RTJ2 stands tall in a year of weak hip-hop.
    Read full review
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