Get Excited About... The world needs a new Run the Jewels album

For starters, a qualifier: Run the Jewels’ music is just as audacious, in-your-face, daring and outrageously fun as it is political. But since day one, El-P and Killer Mike have been taking on crooked leaders, corruption and the fucked up state of the world, all through the prism of their hard-hitting, no nonsense hip-hop.

Since 2014’s ‘Run the Jewels 2’, this status has skyrocketed. Virtually every music video to be subsequently lifted from the record has a no-bullshit message: ‘Early’ wrestled with police brutality and protest as a weapon; ‘Close Your Eyes (and Count to Fuck)’ pinpointed the infinite spread of senseless violence. And beyond those head-turning videos, both members have been everywhere, righting wrongs at every turn. Killer Mike’s speech in St. Louis, following a court decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson after the death of Michael Brown, remains brutally poignant. “No matter how much we get shit together, shit comes along and kicks you on your ass,” he said at the time.

It seems harsh to label this at a group so restless and prolific, but Run the Jewels need to get a bloody move on. ‘RTJ3’, due out before the end of this year, is very nearly complete. On 10th October, El-P confirmed it’s currently being mixed. After that comes the mastering stage. And then they need to come up with a release plan. It’s close. But there’s a sense that it couldn’t come sooner.

Given the group’s targets, there’s always going to be unfinished business. Killer Mike’s St. Louis speech is testament to the fact that no matter how much work they do to spread the right message and make progress, another tragedy comes along. Many of the themes on the duo’s first two records have reared their ugly heads more than before. These important conversations are still happening. Throw a potentially catastrophic Presidential Election into the mix, and you’re left with enough fuel to last a lifetime.