Released: 2014

Genres: Hardcore Hip-Hop; Experimental Hip-Hop

The Musiquarium’s Run the Jewels 2 Review Score: 10 out of 10

An improvement over their already excellent debut, Run the Jewels 2 is an absolute tour-de-force, and is what a great sequel album should aspire to be. Where their debut was an experiment that landed with overwhelmingly positive results, Run the Jewels 2 is proof that the debut wasn’t a fluke and that RTJ is a duo that’s here to stay with lots to say. 

Jeopardy opens the album up with a dark and moody track. Blockbuster Night, Pt. 1 and 2 (the latter of which is a bonus track) are both total bangers. Oh My Darling Don’t Cry makes a creative use of its strange sample, proving why El-P is one of the most unique producers in hip-hop. All Due Respect sees a guest appearance from Blink 182’s drummer, Travis Barker. Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck) features ex-Rage Against the Machines vocalist, Zach De La Rocha. Love Again (Akinyele Back) is vulgar and filthy, perhaps a little too much so.

Lightning strikes twice with Run the Jewels 2, which is one of the best sophomore albums in rap yet, like a hip-hop version of The Empire Strikes Back.

For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view Run the Jewels on Discogs.

Back to the 2014 Album Guide or the Run the Jewels Reviews page.

Written by Brett Nippard