RUN THE JEWELS AND 2 CHAINZ ARE “OUT OF SIGHT,” BUT RTJ4 IS SOMETHING MUCH MORE

RTJ is backkkkkkk. Let’s first and foremost listen to the closest song this album has to the kind of hit that can be featured in television commercials and movie trailers (see DJ Shadow’s “Nobody Speak” for reference).  Why “out of sight?” Because it has a fat beat, MC bravado, and a featured verse from a superstar like 2Chainz, serving more as an introduction to the rad-as-hell steez and playful lyrics of Killer Mike and El-P than anything else.

Plus, it doesn’t actually say that much.

So in political times, why not play the least political song on the record? Might trick some music fans who want politics to stay out of music into being completely radicalized by it. Whoopsie.

RUN THE JEWELS - OUT OF SIGHT (FT. 2 CHAINZ)

“out of sight” is fun while later tracks on the record like “walking in the snow” and “JU$T” are decidedly not (important, yes… fun, not so much). But this is the charm of RTJ4, start off with something unassuming to keep people listening and save the radical politics for the second half of the record.

The trick here is in the tracklisting. “out of sight” is a song meant to bring more people into the record and keep them there. I’m skipping right over all that and TELLING you this album is leaps and bounds more important than this one song. Listen to the whole thing. Front to back and then over again. That is the lesson here. You’re cool. You already know what good music is and how it has the power to change the world. This is the song you play for your friends who think Run the Jewels are too angry or haven’t even heard about them yet. Maybe your Dad? So when you’re out there fighting the power, because you already been knowing, they can give the rest of the record play at home and have their mind blown.

This one goes out to the guy on the internet right now who’s angry about Tom Morelfo’s politics, like Rage Against the MACHINE wasn’t politically forward this entire time (look at that name, c’mon buddy). The exact same could should and will be said of Killer Mike and El-P. These guys are angry and they CARE about the fate of the world. This comes across in their music, but that doesn’t also mean they don’t want to get their music in front of as many people as they possibly can. That is the power of “out of sight,” a hit before the real shit.

From deep within the murky depths of the Los Angeles River emerged a creature: 50% raver, 50% comedian, 10% Robotcop. Kurt Kroeber doesn’t own a dog, operates Soundbleed (the world’s only dance party comedy talk show rave), and is down to party with you. Come up some time and say “Hey dude!” But definitely make sure to casually drop the secret Illuminati password.