RTJ4
by Run the Jewels
  • Record Label: BMG
  • Release Date: Jun 3, 2020
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 325 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 299 out of 325
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 325
  3. Negative: 19 out of 325
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  1. Estelindis
    Jun 4, 2020
    10
    Powerful lyrics, intense beats, stellar collaborations. More relevant now than ever, and doesn't let the moment down one bit.
  2. invertedrisk
    Jun 4, 2020
    10
    What other rating can you give to an album this lyrically dense, this experimental in production and this relevant in message?

    No second is wasted, the features only add to the message and are perfectly placed, while the undeniable, effervescent chemistry between EL-P and Killer Mike is better than ever. A set of dystopian tracks that sound eerily familiar to what we're living through,    What other rating can you give to an album this lyrically dense, this experimental in production and this relevant in message?

    No second is wasted, the features only add to the message and are perfectly placed, while the undeniable, effervescent chemistry between EL-P and Killer Mike is better than ever.

    A set of dystopian tracks that sound eerily familiar to what we're living through, and bangers to help us through it.    … Expand
  3. njp500
    Jun 9, 2020
    10
    The worst part of COVID19 was missing an RTJ / RATM concert. The best part of COVID19 is this album. Killer Mike fan & RTJ since the beginning. This is a good one.
  4. aftermath96
    Jun 5, 2020
    10
    Best RTJ album so far, they outdid theirselves, album of the year so far, excellent
  5. holden-3030
    Jun 3, 2020
    10
    "And everyday on evening news they feed you fear for free
    And you so numb you watch the cops choke out a man like me
    And 'til my voice goes from a shriek to whisper, 'I can't breathe'"
  6. DavidCall360
    Jun 12, 2020
    10
    RTJ has always delivered incredible beats, lyrics, and flows all charged by injustices. But RTJ4 is on a whole other level. This is an album that only they could have created. They kicked everything into high gear seemingly effortless. They are completely done mincing words. They don't give a **** if you are offended. And if you are, this album isn't for you. This is music for theRTJ has always delivered incredible beats, lyrics, and flows all charged by injustices. But RTJ4 is on a whole other level. This is an album that only they could have created. They kicked everything into high gear seemingly effortless. They are completely done mincing words. They don't give a **** if you are offended. And if you are, this album isn't for you. This is music for the revolution. And the revolution is now.… Expand
  7. funkyhomosapien
    Jun 4, 2020
    10
    Soundtrack of 2020. Relevant songs, banger after banger, manifesto after manifesto. Favs: Yankee and the Brave, Ju$t, Out of Sight, Walking in the Snow, A Few Words for Firing Squad.
  8. mavinhakeem
    Jun 6, 2020
    10
    This is definitely RAP album of the year! The best album of 2020 after "Fetch the bolt cutters"...
  9. Kuggz
    Jun 6, 2020
    10
    The other day I was thinking I wish a rap album would come out that sounded like it came from the 90's. The next day this little gem dropped.
  10. seancoz
    Jul 29, 2020
    10
    It might be because of the recent events at the time of this album’s release and the hysteria those recent event caused me and many Americans to feel, but I got goosebumps and chills at different points of my first listen to this album. While this album did end up releasing early, it was only two days earlier than scheduled, so while many of these lyrics hit home and feel extremelyIt might be because of the recent events at the time of this album’s release and the hysteria those recent event caused me and many Americans to feel, but I got goosebumps and chills at different points of my first listen to this album. While this album did end up releasing early, it was only two days earlier than scheduled, so while many of these lyrics hit home and feel extremely relevant to what’s happening in our world after the death of George Floyd, it seems like it was just an incredible yet honest and sad coincidence that some of the lyrics were relevant and it shows a bigger and important picture of just how often police brutality occurs and how terrible it really is in America. Maybe the relevance of the topics and lyrics on these albums played a factor in my opinion/score of this album, but truthfully it’s such a fantastic listen. There’s truthfully not a single song I dislike and the album seems perfectly crafted in terms of the songs, intro and outro, lyrics, production, track list etc. Every rebellion or protest needs a soundtrack, and it seems the soundtrack for the 2020 protests is RTJ4 and I couldn’t be happier with that. Killer Mike’s verse on walking in the snow might just be the verse of the year and the relevance of the verse is one of the many things that gave me goosebumps and made me really say, “this may just be an Album of The Year contender when 2020 is over,” and I truthfully still feel that way. While I’ve loved many albums this year, the importance and impact of this album has not been talked about enough and at the end of the day that’s one major thing in my book for deciding an Album of The Year. Run The Jewels come through with their best album or project to date and as time goes on, we very well may end up calling RTJ4 a classic album.… Expand
  11. Atum_
    Jun 8, 2020
    10
    This album is amazing. It came out at the perfect time as well, as everything discussed on this album you can see in effect in america right now. The beats, lyrics and flows on this album is just great. It's not poppy rap, it's not affected by big companies trying to make a more mainstream sound, this is just raw, political hip-hop in its best form. My album of the year 2020 for sure
  12. movistarman
    Jun 5, 2020
    10
    What can I say? This is a great album, from a production standpoint it is absolutely phenomenal, EL-P absolutely killed it with the production, with some help in some of the tracks, like the great HOLY CALAMAF*CK which has a contribution from BOOTS. Killer Mike gives some great delivery, the lyrics are pretty great they are the perfect blend of humor and social commentary. this is a veryWhat can I say? This is a great album, from a production standpoint it is absolutely phenomenal, EL-P absolutely killed it with the production, with some help in some of the tracks, like the great HOLY CALAMAF*CK which has a contribution from BOOTS. Killer Mike gives some great delivery, the lyrics are pretty great they are the perfect blend of humor and social commentary. this is a very fitting album for the times we are currently living.… Expand
  13. Denvers
    Jun 4, 2020
    10
    RTJ4 is the greatest hip-hop album I have ever heard, and it may be my personal favorite album of all time. All the lyrics cover relevant topics that are deep and insightful. The word-play is on point and most of the features are very good. The music is beautiful, and layered with the fantastic lyrics, this is one of the greatest albums of all time.
  14. JuneD
    Jun 7, 2020
    10
    This is a thoroughly captivating and hard hitting album from start to finish. Without a doubt going to be in my top 5 albums of this year. A pertinent and intellectual soundtrack to this scary time.
  15. jhermogenes
    Jun 3, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Best rap album since TPAB. Production is from other planet, the beat switches, the flows everything (except for Pharell) is perfect here.… Expand
  16. Sgtlincoln
    Jun 3, 2020
    10
    Easily the rawest, hardest, and most dense album these guys have ever put out. Gets better and better each listen 10/10
  17. koortemanch
    Jun 4, 2020
    10
    Astonishing album from start to finish.

    It hits hard because of the recent events and is more relevant than ever.

    The production is extremely precise and thought-through, adding to the incredible atmosphere of the record.

    RTJ2 quality, 40min blessing.
  18. basscycle
    Jun 4, 2020
    10
    A seething, sanguinary one-two-punch from HipHop's most relevant and prophetic duo. Run the Jewels have laid the landscape of HipHop to ruin since their debut and each subsequent album has found a way to add to their untarnished legacy. Run the Jewels 4 features their most aggressive, sonically and lyrically dense album to date....which is saying something. Due to the impeccable lyricism,A seething, sanguinary one-two-punch from HipHop's most relevant and prophetic duo. Run the Jewels have laid the landscape of HipHop to ruin since their debut and each subsequent album has found a way to add to their untarnished legacy. Run the Jewels 4 features their most aggressive, sonically and lyrically dense album to date....which is saying something. Due to the impeccable lyricism, production, and timing of this album, I am giving it a 10/10 and would recommend it to anyone regardless of their musical taste or preference.… Expand
  19. Dareeyecare
    Jun 4, 2020
    10
    This will be AOTY, an album’s words and music combined Has not been so overwhelmingly impactful on the head and the heart in recent years. Completely consistent , there are no misses on this album. THIS is what the top of the rap/hip hop/ lyrical and production game looks like.
  20. nchuman
    Jun 4, 2020
    10
    jesus ****ing christ. Run The Jewels has yet to miss, four albums in. RTJ4 hits hard. 10/10.
  21. Tgod
    Jun 4, 2020
    10
    El-ps production has gotten god level and the way he weaves aggression in his beats is something only a veteran can do. lyrically there isn’t a verse anywhere besides maybe 2 chains verse . Plus killer mike mentions jimmy savile and high level pedophiles in power just makes this feel like they’re holding no punches and going out on their ships
  22. isitreallyliam
    Jun 4, 2020
    10
    One of the best albums I've heard. Easily one of the best things to happen in 2020!
  23. Kinahans
    Jun 4, 2020
    10
    Levelled up again. Nothing they can’t do and hauntingly fits the current landscape while bopping at the same time
  24. 22am
    Jun 4, 2020
    10
    Instant classic. Mike and EL-P as insane as always, I'd even call this their best to date.
  25. tobeisnottobe
    Jun 5, 2020
    10
    Holy Calamaf******. This is the rawest , most important and most progressive album you will hear this year and it is their best to date (followed so damn close by RTJ2). Not 1 miss on the track listing, amazing tracks top the bottom. They put genre and ideas in a blender and shake them up harder than their previous releases. They totally snapped on this one. The Production is their best,Holy Calamaf******. This is the rawest , most important and most progressive album you will hear this year and it is their best to date (followed so damn close by RTJ2). Not 1 miss on the track listing, amazing tracks top the bottom. They put genre and ideas in a blender and shake them up harder than their previous releases. They totally snapped on this one. The Production is their best, their message is their most specific and on point, and their bars are so insane that they run circles around you. Bless RTJ. 10/10. This album should be heard by anyone including non RTJ fans. AOTY? check… Expand
  26. frostyn
    Jun 5, 2020
    10
    Made an account to make sure more people know and hear of this album. An absolute masterpiece that managed to meet the incredibly high expectations set by previous albums. "Walking in the snow" is a track everyone should listen, as both the MC's of the duo delivered probably the best verses we'll have in 2020.
  27. RichStanley
    Jun 5, 2020
    10
    Album of the year for me. Sounds amazing on headphones. Drums on Goonies vs ET, excellent. Last track is mesmerising.
  28. MuGeek
    Jun 6, 2020
    10
    Sonically, EL-P has switched back to the RTJ2 era in the terms of the overall composition for the songs, which in turn helps emphasise the overall feel and point of the album. With the socio-political basis for the album, its rare you find a song that has nothing to say based around what is going on right now in society, which is even more poignant as this album was made over 24 months andSonically, EL-P has switched back to the RTJ2 era in the terms of the overall composition for the songs, which in turn helps emphasise the overall feel and point of the album. With the socio-political basis for the album, its rare you find a song that has nothing to say based around what is going on right now in society, which is even more poignant as this album was made over 24 months and not that last 10 days. Personal highlights have to be Walking in the snow, Holy **** pulling the pin (with an absolutely spine tingling feature from Mavis Staples) and a few words for the firing squad, which has to be said I feel is one of the best closing songs on an album I've heard in a long while. Without a doubt their finest work.… Expand
  29. CountOrange
    Jun 6, 2020
    10
    Run the Jewels continue to kill it while spreading the message. RTJ' s best production to date, Mike's verses hit harder than Ngannou.
  30. 5am
    Jun 6, 2020
    10
    This is yet another great album by RTJ, containing great relevant lyrics, great production, great features, and it could not have come at a better time. There isn’t a single bad song on this album. AOTY for me so far.
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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Album of 2020
44
#44 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. The Wire
    Jul 10, 2020
    70
    It’s a strange brew, some distance from the monumental party music that has tended to characterise the duo’s three previous albums. [Jul 2020, p.50]
  2. Q Magazine
    Jun 30, 2020
    80
    This is the sound of RTJ staking their claim as one of the all-time great hip-hop duos. [Aug 2020, p.112]
  3. Uncut
    Jun 19, 2020
    80
    Crackles with a wisecracking energy. [Aug 2020, p.36]
See all critic reviews »