Run The Jewels had probably the hottest temperatures to face during their Sunday afternoon set. By the time Killer Mike and El-P took the stage to We Are The Champions by Queen the sun was beating away directly on top of them. Although the rap duo didn’t let it slow them down at all for an amazing set featuring some of their best songs to date.
I’ve always loved how every verse in a Run The Jewels song is jam packed with non-stop bars delivered with some of the best delivery in the game. Killer Mike and El-P do not just keep this energy in the booth as they rapped every single line with the same ferocity as it is in the recordings. Their charisma is undoubtedly there as they make it a true show during and between songs. I think this was especially impressive considering how insanely hot it was the entire time.
One aspect I was really impressed with their performance was how they looked out for their audience. They were the one act I had seen all weekend advocate for the venue to help out the audience when it came to the temperature outside. They had called for water to be handed out, which was met with a delayed response, so El-P made it clear he was not joking. After that Coachella’s staff were coming around, handing out water bottles and spraying the crowd down with mist machines. They had also spoken about looking out for your neighbors during these shows and helping people if someone falls. It was nice to see the two artists looking out for everyone since water was a necessity that day.
The topics in Run The Jewels’ music are not light. The two rappers use their voices to speak on issues and topics that matter to them in the world. Killer Mike used the last portion of the performance to speak on a public execution that had just happened. His words felt that much more important considering how their last album was released during the aftermath of George Floyd. He’s a great communicator and voice on topics of social justice and inequality, and I felt lucky to hear him in person. He speaks about what he cares about without talking down to you. They closed off their set right after with a fitting track: a few words for the firing squad.
Although they didn’t have the size of audience they deserved, Run The Jewels put on an awesome show. They played some of their classics and the best cuts of RTJ4, making for an amazing setlist of their work. Killer Mike and El-P are some of the best to do it in the industry today, so I am really happy I got to see them perform after such a long hiatus.
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