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. 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'"
  2. Michaeljmoran3
    Jun 11, 2020
    10
    Front to back - no misses. So far it's this and Alfredo for rap album of the year. Impressive production even by El-P's standards. Strong lyrical performance from both of them and all of the features are perfectly selected. Couldn't ask for anymore from them, lived up to the hype!
  3. quadroop
    Jun 3, 2020
    9
    This album could not have come at a more necessary time. The boys are as energetic and on point as ever. El-p's production remains interesting and unique. The subject matter, grimy bangers, and amazing features (I mean Pharrell and Zach De La Rocha on the same track come on) make this amazing
  4. 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
  5. mavinhakeem
    Jun 6, 2020
    10
    This is definitely RAP album of the year! The best album of 2020 after "Fetch the bolt cutters"...
  6. 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
  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. sammyanthony
    Jun 5, 2020
    9
    What a perfect time to release these sound, black-empowering, and institution call-out anthems. Stellar and next-level productions are synchronizing the profound and hard-hitting bars from El-P and Killer Mike; blasts off the entire corrupt barriers, leaving it bare. RTJ4 sets the new zenith for Run the Jewels.
  9. Joel_Freecheck
    Jun 4, 2020
    9
    Returning from a break with this level of quality music is astounding. Run The Jewels reminds the world that their finger on the pulse of society is still unrivaled.
  10. 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
  11. 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.
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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.
  15. isitreallyliam
    Jun 4, 2020
    10
    One of the best albums I've heard. Easily one of the best things to happen in 2020!
  16. 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
  17. 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.
  18. nchuman
    Jun 4, 2020
    10
    jesus ****ing christ. Run The Jewels has yet to miss, four albums in. RTJ4 hits hard. 10/10.
  19. 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
  20. 22am
    Jun 4, 2020
    10
    Instant classic. Mike and EL-P as insane as always, I'd even call this their best to date.
  21. Jimmyneutron23
    Jun 4, 2020
    9
    This is their best one yet, one of the best albums of the year and came at a perfect time too.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. benisonfire
    Jun 4, 2020
    9
    Holy **** this album is good. Every track is great but the best in my opinion is a few words for the firing squad. Listen to it now.
  25. 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.
  26. Bruhmaster1
    Jun 7, 2020
    10
    I’ve listened to this album 25 times and I’m still struggling to find a bad song. Best Tun The Jewels album yet.
  27. 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.
  28. 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
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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 »