Wow... Honored to have the chance to even reply to you. As a 39 y/o lifelong rap fan, every album yall make reminds me why I fell in love with rap music. Thank you both SO much for what you do.
@@JWMCMLXXX Same. I teared up listening to Mike's final verse with all of the context of that song laid out. I have loved this album since it came out, and understood it for the most part... but seeing it all laid bare here, so eloquently.... that final verse made me tear up. So goddamn powerful.
I'm not usually great with keeping up with new releases, but I listened to RTJ4 as soon as I could, and it's definitely become one of my favourite new albums.
@@posae86 I meant it as a more of a prediction. They're still relatively a young group, so we'll have to wait and see for sure, but the potential is here.
Konrad Pachel they’re only one album away from releasing as much as OutKast did in their career. I still think OutKast is the best, but RTJ is certainly up there.
I already viewed them as carrying the torch that Rage Against The Machine left off. But tbh, I think they're already one of the greatest rap groups ever
how crazy is it that this is an instant protest classic and just classic in general... and it's not even their best album? like, this is a huge 10 and it will be remembered for so long and 2 and 3 out do it so much? fr RTJ are the best duo in the history of rap
@@xanderfunk492 ye in all fairness they're really close, it just depends on whether you prefer the straight to the point non-stopness of 4 or the cinematic grandness of 3
Olivia D'Arcy when it comes to implicitly moral stuff like protest music-and there exist a wealth of artists who actually walk the walk-it’s not wrong to point out that hilarious level of inconsistency.
this is why i love this channel so much. You watch a video and your taste of music changes because you found something so good! I love this. Lately I learned a lot about subcultures and music history and what I will forever remember is that all characteristics of a subculture are somehow tied together by a spirit. Music is politics just as fashion is. It’s the statements that I love so much about all of this.
Went and listened to the whole album after watching this. Though I am not a big fan of heavy rap and heavy music in general, I love the album. From the messages to the sound of the songs themselves. Most definitely putting Run The Jewels on my 'artist to remember' list.
I had only listened to RTJ briefly but this album was something very powerful to me and I couldn't get enough. Thank you for covering this! The editing is amazing and I enjoyed the aesthetic in the imagery
you should definitely give a listen to RTJ 2 if you haven't, it's got a lot more out and out bangers than 4 but also has moments that are just as emotionally potent
@@monsermoran you should also check out 3 if you feel like it, not as much of a must listen but it's a very grand and cinematic album. half is crazy bangers like 2 on steroids, the other is like proto-Firing Squad songs.
I never liked rap, the electric beat felt fake, i also never cared about politics, so I never liked rtj, but what makes me hate them is they’re fans telling me awful things about how I NEED to like them or else I’m a terrible human and racist,
As far as an album (not a mixtape or single release), this album is one of the best albums. I like The Weeknd’s album and Tame Impala, but this album truly feels like it will be used by future historians to tell the story of Summer 2020. Hopefully.
Kinda hoping you dive into RTJ and Mike's & EL-P's solo stuff a bit more. They're both fantastic artists who have always been refreshingly honest about where they write from & what they fight for
Rough and rowdy ways is better for me I get that the album is a protest album it just isn’t for me, the lyrics on RRW has some of the best lyrics I’ve heard in years especially in the song my own versions of you
To Pimp A Butterfly, Lemonade, and now Run The Jewels 4. Every time someone makes art that genuinely addresses issues of racism, classicism, and gender dynamics - in non-performative fashion - the Grammys (and The Academy) turn their back on them.
This album isn’t great it’s too important to just be great. This video hits on the genius of it and it’s timely nature but, more importantly, it hits the personal aspect that makes RTJ iconic. Seriously great video here, about a seriously necessary album. 👏👏👏
Fantastic video. RTJ4 is easily in contention for album of the year, and I always love seeing Polyphonic cover more hip-hop. The visuals in this one are top-notch as well. Stupendous ob with the editing.
i’m so so so happy you started making so many videos on black history in the real world and the world of music without having to make a huge statement you just kept doing what you’ve always done. make videos about music you love and i can so easily see you really lvoe everything about the artists you cover
This album was so timely and there’s not a single skip on it either. Walking in the snow and a few words for the firing squad are my favorite songs, so deep and very needed
Thank you for this video essay. Rtj4 is my favorite album of 2020 (a very hard year) and one of the most inspiring hip hop albums for me since my youth
I found RTJ a few years ago. Enjoyed the hooks, but when 4 came out...whoa. it was something else. Maybe it's because I missed the first few albums, but man. Timing and theme really immortalized this one.
@AVXVA if you conflate the left with mainstream American Democrats, you've demonstrated that you have absolutely no fucking idea what you're talking about. The DNC are capitalist neoliberals; they're the party of the rich and the hypocrites who weakly claim to support class- and racial justice while doing nothing to actually set real change into motion.
I think most importantly their music sings to the notion that you need to be careful about identity politics and "choosing the lesser of two evils" mentality, that the entire concept of "choosing sides" is just a ploy by powerful groups to keep the common man pitted against each other. It's in EVERY album. And listening to them speak outside of their music, you can hear just how honestly they really feel that way. Mike BELEIVES in the truth and promise of the constitution as a guiding principal and the American Dream, but also believes that it isn't fulfilling its promise and that we need to work together as one to make that dream come true. and Jamie BELEIVES in the power of art and music to permeate barriers and break through our notion of what is and isn't acceptable as expression and self. Their music and their friendship is one colossal middle finger to false ideology of separation and the sheer lie that we, as Americans and as human beings, can not get along. Or as they put it, "Not from the same part of town but we both hear the same sound coming. And it sounds like war. And it breaks our hearts".
I was having a hard time getting into this album, but I'm going to give it another look after seeing this. They're real lyricists. You gotta pay attention, I guess. Thank you.
I just want to say, thank you you one of my inspiration to start a music blog, right now only on Facebook I can send you a link but it solely in Hebrew
I this album. Born & raised in S. Minneapolis, I heard the track, JU$T a day or 2 after George Floyd's murder was televised & protests had just errupted. Meanwhile, the beginning of covid quarentine had gone into effect. I was stuck@home & just listened to the track, JU$T, on loop like it was church. It blew me away & embraced the emotions & ideas that were swirling in my head & heart. When I got around to listening to the rest of the album, the rest was also sooo cathartic. GOOD ANALYSIS. THANK U!
I just love how you format your videos! Amazing vid on RTJ, dude! If I could make a request, I would love to hear your take on The Caretaker's "Everything at the End of Time."
El shouted out both his sister and his mother in Firing Squad. Both are survivors of abuse from men and they both perservered, El has mentioned them before in songs like Constellation Funk, and he's spoken more in depth about his mother's experience.
so the way i watch your videos is: 1. put on whatever song/album/etc that the video is about and just vibe b. watch ur video 3. listen to the song w/e again now with the new context and shit I didn't pick up before it's incredible man thank you
I really hope you're going to do more rap albums in the futur your content is really awesome and shed new light and framing to albums so I hope it's going to be more common in the futur
The thing i love the most about rtj, is that even if they discuss the topics of politics and racism and protest, it never sounds one sided. Being that the group is made up of 1 white man and 1 black man.😅 but it never seems like their talking specifically to white people nor black people. Their talking to people. THE people. On how we can better our society, together. Rap can be used to do alot of things. Influence, spread hate, spread lies, and give light. Rtj has done nothing else but spread light. 👉 🤛 i love rtj.
There's great hip-hop out there. I'm a 39 y/o lifelong rap fan but if you're of the younger generations, I can definitely understand why you don't appreciate it. There's just so much garbage put out now that it's become the dominant genre. There's still great rap music out there though and RTJ is a great place to start.
Run The Jewels, Del The Funky Homo Sapien (specifically in relation to Deltron 3030), Death Grips, and Kae Temptest are all my favourite political rappers (though Kae Tempest is more 'hiphop poetry')
wait... wait wait wait. The skillshare ad at the end.. is polyphonic making all these graphics?? I assumed he was lifting preexisting lyric videos made by the artist.. does he MAKE these? Wow, dude. Above and beyond.
thank you for this, man. thank you for getting us.
and thank YOU for being fantastic. this album blows me away.
Holy shit, keep doing what you're doing and don't stop
Wow... Honored to have the chance to even reply to you. As a 39 y/o lifelong rap fan, every album yall make reminds me why I fell in love with rap music. Thank you both SO much for what you do.
never ever stop.
wowie zowie the GOAT has spoken.
“A Few Words for the Firing Squad” is one of the most emotionally powerful hip hop songs I’ve ever heard.
it's like Angel Duster on steroids
Dude. I got a little bit teary eyed reading deeper into that one. That was strong
Jason Wood bro same.
@@JWMCMLXXX Same. I teared up listening to Mike's final verse with all of the context of that song laid out. I have loved this album since it came out, and understood it for the most part... but seeing it all laid bare here, so eloquently.... that final verse made me tear up. So goddamn powerful.
It reminds me of pink floyd
It's called Yankee and the Brave cause ElP is from New York(home of the Yankees team) and KM is from Atlanta(home of the Braves team)
It could also have a double meaning, it's a popular concept within hip-hop.
@@lando3258 could you elaborate? I'm new to hip-hop
the circles around Mike and El in the video are the maps of NYC and ATL respectively, such a cool detail.
Yes but it is also is what's said, he just didn't mention Smokey and the Bandit 😅 Which is the movie the tracks title is reffering to.
@@aleksisuuronen5969 I thought it was Pinky and the Brain
I can't even put into words how much I love the editing style, it's just captivating
I'm not usually great with keeping up with new releases, but I listened to RTJ4 as soon as I could, and it's definitely become one of my favourite new albums.
Same
RTJ4 was the only Covid era release I bought Day 1. Its upbeat and vitriolic and just what's perfect for now.
No doubt about it now: Run The Jewels will go down as one of the greatest rap groups in history
I mean, they are good. I wouldn't put them all the way up there though.
@@posae86 I meant it as a more of a prediction. They're still relatively a young group, so we'll have to wait and see for sure, but the potential is here.
@@posae86 why wouldnt you? They are absolutely amazing
Konrad Pachel they’re only one album away from releasing as much as OutKast did in their career. I still think OutKast is the best, but RTJ is certainly up there.
I already viewed them as carrying the torch that Rage Against The Machine left off. But tbh, I think they're already one of the greatest rap groups ever
This may be your best work on TH-cam yet when it comes to the animation. Thank you for analyzing this masterpiece!
The video was so well animated throughout. When you credited it to skillshare it became the greatest ad for them of all time
Nothing like the smell of a new polyphonic video in the morning
Coolsome The One Morning?
Oh morning
@@caldwell9-0 Morning for me too, 7:34am
@@caldwell9-0 It's always morning somewhere in the world
JU$T playing in the backround is smooth
It’s such a simplistic yet effective beat.
how crazy is it that this is an instant protest classic and just classic in general... and it's not even their best album? like, this is a huge 10 and it will be remembered for so long and 2 and 3 out do it so much? fr RTJ are the best duo in the history of rap
I like it better than 3 personally. The brevity and non stop nature of it were highlights for me.
@@xanderfunk492 ye in all fairness they're really close, it just depends on whether you prefer the straight to the point non-stopness of 4 or the cinematic grandness of 3
“Protest classic” who’s creators have licensed it to Riot games, Pepsi, and Cadillac. Hardly Woody Guthries are they?
@@dongvermine imagine not being able to seperate art from artist 💀 💀 💀
Olivia D'Arcy when it comes to implicitly moral stuff like protest music-and there exist a wealth of artists who actually walk the walk-it’s not wrong to point out that hilarious level of inconsistency.
Evey time I see a new video notification. I get a sudden jolt of joy. Especially when it's on my favorite rap group.
Don’t mind me. Just here to help the algorithm.
Same
this is why i love this channel so much. You watch a video and your taste of music changes because you found something so good! I love this. Lately I learned a lot about subcultures and music history and what I will forever remember is that all characteristics of a subculture are somehow tied together by a spirit. Music is politics just as fashion is. It’s the statements that I love so much about all of this.
This is the most underrated channel ever. I've been trying to find a channel that breaks down music and art. This is amazing. I fucking love you.
Went and listened to the whole album after watching this. Though I am not a big fan of heavy rap and heavy music in general, I love the album. From the messages to the sound of the songs themselves. Most definitely putting Run The Jewels on my 'artist to remember' list.
Zach de la Rocha's verse might be the best one of his career.
I had only listened to RTJ briefly but this album was something very powerful to me and I couldn't get enough. Thank you for covering this! The editing is amazing and I enjoyed the aesthetic in the imagery
you should definitely give a listen to RTJ 2 if you haven't, it's got a lot more out and out bangers than 4 but also has moments that are just as emotionally potent
Olivia D'Arcy Thank you! I’ll go ahead and check it out today :)
@@monsermoran you should also check out 3 if you feel like it, not as much of a must listen but it's a very grand and cinematic album. half is crazy bangers like 2 on steroids, the other is like proto-Firing Squad songs.
Olivia D'Arcy will do! I’ll have them on all day.
I never liked rap, the electric beat felt fake, i also never cared about politics, so I never liked rtj, but what makes me hate them is they’re fans telling me awful things about how I NEED to like them or else I’m a terrible human and racist,
I love RTJ but it feels hypocritical that Pharrell Williams talks about capitalism while being worth 150 million
In a system that grants power to the wealthy, how can you create meaningful change without gathering wealth?
@@astralsn0w756 How is hoarding money changing anything?
Thank you for referring to Eric Garner’s death as a murder. ❤️💕🤟
There's nothing like protest music. Always hits the hardest
Yup
Oi, this video has to be one of your best yet. Incredibly powerful, fitting for an album of such quality, and just bloody brilliant. Keep it up man.
WALKING IN THE SNOW IS THE BEST SONG TO COME OUT IN 2020
THAT'S WHAT I SAID!
A great video that doesn't hold back about the messages and themes from the best Album of the year thus far (at least for me)
As far as an album (not a mixtape or single release), this album is one of the best albums. I like The Weeknd’s album and Tame Impala, but this album truly feels like it will be used by future historians to tell the story of Summer 2020. Hopefully.
Kinda hoping you dive into RTJ and Mike's & EL-P's solo stuff a bit more. They're both fantastic artists who have always been refreshingly honest about where they write from & what they fight for
You've really levelled up the graphics - such great collage work!
This is a beautiful video. Love it. Put the whole album into a wider perspective for me. Thank you.
I believe rap is at its best when they slap the system in the face
Rtj 4 is what eminem wanted bad meets evil to be
I never miss an episode. The visuals are amazing and the insights are brilliant.
no war but class war ✊🏴
There's no class war bro, please let me ask you where the systemic racism and classcism is.
ABLUM OF THE YEAAAAAAAR
Rough and rowdy ways is better for me I get that the album is a protest album it just isn’t for me, the lyrics on RRW has some of the best lyrics I’ve heard in years especially in the song my own versions of you
If you made a video on Doom and Death Grips. I'd be the happiest camper.
To Pimp A Butterfly, Lemonade, and now Run The Jewels 4. Every time someone makes art that genuinely addresses issues of racism, classicism, and gender dynamics - in non-performative fashion - the Grammys (and The Academy) turn their back on them.
awesome video! can you work on making your audio bit louder? its bit too lower than songs
Yup. The songs are loud as hell once you turn it up enough to hear the dialogue.
Thank you for the inspiration! This really chimes with inspirations I take for my independent music, it’s so nice to see this kind of work out there.
This album isn’t great it’s too important to just be great. This video hits on the genius of it and it’s timely nature but, more importantly, it hits the personal aspect that makes RTJ iconic.
Seriously great video here, about a seriously necessary album. 👏👏👏
Thank you. Just thank you so much. I’ve introduced friends to so much amazing music using your videos and breakdowns. Thank you. Much love. 💕
Fantastic video. RTJ4 is easily in contention for album of the year, and I always love seeing Polyphonic cover more hip-hop. The visuals in this one are top-notch as well. Stupendous ob with the editing.
i didnt even know they made a fourth
i’m so so so happy you started making so many videos on black history in the real world and the world of music without having to make a huge statement you just kept doing what you’ve always done. make videos about music you love and i can so easily see you really lvoe everything about the artists you cover
By far the best visuals in any of your videos! Great work!
Always schooling me and I love it. Tour videos are always 🔥
The editing and motion graphics in this are GORGEOUS! Good job man.
This album was so timely and there’s not a single skip on it either. Walking in the snow and a few words for the firing squad are my favorite songs, so deep and very needed
Thank you for this video essay. Rtj4 is my favorite album of 2020 (a very hard year) and one of the most inspiring hip hop albums for me since my youth
I found RTJ a few years ago. Enjoyed the hooks, but when 4 came out...whoa. it was something else. Maybe it's because I missed the first few albums, but man. Timing and theme really immortalized this one.
Not even of 2020, this is one of the best political albums of all time in any genre
Run the Jewels is an inspiration to the working class.
@AVXVA if you conflate the left with mainstream American Democrats, you've demonstrated that you have absolutely no fucking idea what you're talking about. The DNC are capitalist neoliberals; they're the party of the rich and the hypocrites who weakly claim to support class- and racial justice while doing nothing to actually set real change into motion.
I think most importantly their music sings to the notion that you need to be careful about identity politics and "choosing the lesser of two evils" mentality, that the entire concept of "choosing sides" is just a ploy by powerful groups to keep the common man pitted against each other. It's in EVERY album. And listening to them speak outside of their music, you can hear just how honestly they really feel that way. Mike BELEIVES in the truth and promise of the constitution as a guiding principal and the American Dream, but also believes that it isn't fulfilling its promise and that we need to work together as one to make that dream come true. and Jamie BELEIVES in the power of art and music to permeate barriers and break through our notion of what is and isn't acceptable as expression and self. Their music and their friendship is one colossal middle finger to false ideology of separation and the sheer lie that we, as Americans and as human beings, can not get along. Or as they put it, "Not from the same part of town but we both hear the same sound coming. And it sounds like war. And it breaks our hearts".
amazing video, great editing and insightful lyrical breakdowns
I was having a hard time getting into this album, but I'm going to give it another look after seeing this.
They're real lyricists. You gotta pay attention, I guess. Thank you.
Dude, I haven't been interested in a NEW album in years. I love this album so much.
I just want to say, thank you
you one of my inspiration to start a music blog, right now only on Facebook
I can send you a link but it solely in Hebrew
Does it count if only white people think it's the Civil Rights album of the year 😂 throwing around that white privilege eh 👍
They literally can’t see the irony even when they get in crowds of milky thousands
RTJ 4 is still on my Top 10 favorite albums
"A Few Words For The Firing Squad" and "Never Look Back" are my two favourites hands down. Great album.
Your editing on this videos is killer. Keep it up man, your doing great 👍
Never did I think I would see the day you would talk about RTJ, but this is definitely something worth talking about
I feel so sorry this video also got claimed, I wish I could help you out
I this album.
Born & raised in S. Minneapolis, I heard the track, JU$T a day or 2 after George Floyd's murder was
televised & protests had just errupted. Meanwhile, the beginning of covid quarentine had gone into effect.
I was stuck@home & just listened to the track, JU$T, on loop like it was church.
It blew me away & embraced the emotions & ideas that were swirling in my head & heart.
When I got around to listening to the rest of the album, the rest was also sooo cathartic.
GOOD ANALYSIS. THANK U!
I just love how you format your videos! Amazing vid on RTJ, dude! If I could make a request, I would love to hear your take on The Caretaker's "Everything at the End of Time."
Easily the Best album of 2020. Thank you for making this video!!! #rtj4 👉🏾🤛🏻
So far this is still number 1 favorite album of 2020.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Hands down best album of the year so far
Thanks for this.
El shouted out both his sister and his mother in Firing Squad. Both are survivors of abuse from men and they both perservered, El has mentioned them before in songs like Constellation Funk, and he's spoken more in depth about his mother's experience.
Talking about protest and discrimination at the very first begging and still calling America to the United States, xD. The hypotenuse.
Amazing!! You are the standard that I hold all music youtube channels too. but i think that might be unfair to them
One of the biggest and important pieces of art in this century.
I love rtj4. My favorite album this year so far
You really should be be looking at Fever 333
Thanks for that graphic from 1911 about capitalism. I love that so much.
I don't know why this didn't got recommended to me before, great video! The editing, narration, and everything is on point.
I'm definitely looking into this group more!
Wow Polyphonic i never knew you were so based
Based? Bassed? You really don't know do you? Lol.
Great animation and review
I just got goosebumps while watching this
If Zack De La Rocha is on the album u know its a good protest album
so the way i watch your videos is:
1. put on whatever song/album/etc that the video is about and just vibe
b. watch ur video
3. listen to the song w/e again now with the new context and shit I didn't pick up before
it's incredible man thank you
My fave song of the moment is God Cop Bad Cop by Ice Cube
This is maybe your best vid yet, Nice job
Possibly.... but "Riot" by Jon Fields is easily the best song of 2020.
Early literally broke me, RTJ is now my warband.
I really hope you're going to do more rap albums in the futur your content is really awesome and shed new light and framing to albums so I hope it's going to be more common in the futur
Just got done walkin in the snow.
And the crowd went RTJ
YES, A POWERFUL MAN!!
This was so well done... for an album that truly deserved it. #RTJ4
Rtj 4 is thier best album yet. They repressed it so perfectly timed. It is just so perfect.
please, please, please, normalize your audio track. the narrative voice is super quiet compared to the album tracks
Incredible video, the best music content on the internet
man
Polyphonic has been getting based lately
The thing i love the most about rtj, is that even if they discuss the topics of politics and racism and protest, it never sounds one sided. Being that the group is made up of 1 white man and 1 black man.😅 but it never seems like their talking specifically to white people nor black people. Their talking to people. THE people. On how we can better our society, together. Rap can be used to do alot of things. Influence, spread hate, spread lies, and give light. Rtj has done nothing else but spread light. 👉 🤛 i love rtj.
This one of those TOY reviews!.!..?
Yes i clicked on it…….
RTJ forever!!!
I rarely ever listen to hip hop but this video might have changed that
Honestly their back catalogue is superb,
There's great hip-hop out there. I'm a 39 y/o lifelong rap fan but if you're of the younger generations, I can definitely understand why you don't appreciate it. There's just so much garbage put out now that it's become the dominant genre. There's still great rap music out there though and RTJ is a great place to start.
“The ground below” might be the hardest song I’ve ever heard.
Run The Jewels, Del The Funky Homo Sapien (specifically in relation to Deltron 3030), Death Grips, and Kae Temptest are all my favourite political rappers (though Kae Tempest is more 'hiphop poetry')
This video is based
Do a video on Taylor Swift's folklore!
wait... wait wait wait. The skillshare ad at the end.. is polyphonic making all these graphics?? I assumed he was lifting preexisting lyric videos made by the artist.. does he MAKE these? Wow, dude. Above and beyond.