Under their iconic sign of the fist and gun, rappers Killer Mike (left) and EL-P (right) deliver a speech regarding the recent inauguration of President Donald J. Trump at the Tabernacle in Atlanta Ga on Jan 21. The open attack on the current president was met with raging applause from the audience. Photo by Gabriel Mantione-Holmes.
By GABRIEL MANTIONE-HOLMES – Staff Writer
Hip-Hop group Run The Jewels came to Atlanta on their world tour after releasing their third studio album “Run The Jewels 3” on Jan. 21.
Rap supergroup Run The Jewels composed of hip hop artists Killer Mike and EL-P kicked off their “Run The World Tour” by selling out at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia, PA on Jan 11. The tour arrived at the Tabernacle in Atlanta on Jan. 21 marking its ninth stop on the tour.
Nick Hook, the first opener, neither enthused nor entertained the crowd. Offering only mediocre beats his set was quickly overshadowed by Cuz, also know as SL Jones who came on after. Cuz proceeded to grab the audience’s attention with a fast-paced flow that transitioned to some masterfully crafted spoken word.
After Cuz came the bombastic Gangsta Boo. In spite of having the shortest set, she raised the energy of the building and delivered stunning verses that can only be expected from a former Three 6 Mafia member.
As Gangsta closed, The Gaslamp Killer’s Middle Eastern electronica started to blast over the crowd. Running around the stage like a caged rat, the Gaslamp Killer took the audience on a trip of nostalgia, mixing old video game soundtracks and iconic rap anthems. With the crowd energy being at its highest, the Gaslamp Killer ended his set by telling the audience to get ready for Run The Jewels in 30 minutes.
The hype that was created by four openers in the past two hours was killed by 30 minutes of an empty stage. Through what can only be described as musical necromancy, the mood was raised from the dead by the eagerly awaited group, Run the Jewels. The unrestrained aggression pouring from these self described “rhyme animals” filled the Tabernacle with anarchical energy. The only two breaks in the set were filled with political sermons targeting President Donald J. Trump’s inauguration delivered by Killer Mike.
The brain these two artist share is demonstrated by their abrasive bars surrounded by violent beats created an electric atmosphere that they ended by bringing Atlanta legend, Big Boi, on stage to perform their hit finale “Banana Clipper”.
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