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RTJ2 Image
Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 35 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 470 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest release from Killer Mike and El-P features collaborations with Travis Barker of Blink-182, Diane Coffee, and Zack de la Rocha formerly of Rage Against the Machine.
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  • Record Label: Mass Appeal
  • Genre(s): Rap, Pop/Rock, Southern Rap, Alternative Rap, Underground Rap, Hardcore Rap
  • More Details and Credits »

Top Track

Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)
Run them jewels fast, run them, run them jewels fast Run them, run them, r-run them, run them, fuck the slow mo Fashion slave, you protestin' to get... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 35
  2. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Nov 6, 2014
    100
    Run the Jewels 2 gut-punches the competition into second place.
  2. Oct 28, 2014
    91
    The sequel takes the simplistic thrills of the debut and expands the duo’s natural chemistry. With Killer Mike grounded at the album’s emotional core, El-P is free to indulge in his intrepid production tendencies.
  3. Cranking the urgency and confrontation of last year's self-titled debut to neck-breaking intensity, RTJ2 is an urgent, paranoid album for a violent, panicked time.
  4. Run The Jewels 2 is the logical follow up to Run The Jewels; it's bigger, bolder, and feels like a punch to the gut that you'll be feeling for weeks.
  5. Mojo
    Nov 19, 2014
    80
    This quick-fire sequel brutally updates the sabre-sharp formula. [Dec 2014, p.93]
  6. Nov 3, 2014
    80
    RTJ2 is replete with razor-sharp lyricism and clattering, abrasive production.
  7. Nov 7, 2014
    50
    There’s something to be said for two masters of their craft talking jazz for the joy of it, but to me, the question remains whether or not this kind of jazz is played out.

See all 35 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 46
  3. Negative: 1 out of 46
  1. 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.. inWow, 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.
    Collapse
  2. 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 hittingI 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. Expand
  3. 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 wellEverything 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. Expand
  4. Jun 9, 2015
    9
    Even better than the first one! El-P's production is great, like always, but I like this album's production even more than the last album; theEven better than the first one! El-P's production is great, like always, but I like this album's production even more than the last album; the beats have a wide range in tempo and flair and are more layered and complex. El-P and Killer Mike once again come with some intense, hard-hitting rhymes, but they also rap about some serious subject matter on songs like "Early" and "Angel Duster." The way their beats complement their flow and their lyrics so well makes this album so enjoyable to listen to. Every song on this album was a highlight to me, but the ones I loved the absolute most were "Blockbuster Night Part 1," "Close Your Eyes (And Count to **** "Early," "All Due Respect," and "Angel Duster." Fantastic album Expand
  5. 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 sightsEvery 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! Expand
  6. 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
    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!
    Expand
  7. Apr 26, 2023
    0
    Because this is a Run the Jewels album just going to give it a 0, don't really have to listen to it even though I like Killer Mike.

See all 46 User Reviews

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