“Friends tell her ‘He could be another Malcolm’ ‘He could be another Martin’ She told em’ parter ‘I need husband more than the world need another martyr’” This bar gave me fucking chills

The Yankee and the Brave bonus track at the end sounds like the hardest TV show theme song I’ve ever heard 👉🏼🤛🏿

"She told the partner I need a husband more than the world needs another martyr." Got dam

Lost my mother two weeks ago and these lyrics hit me extremely hard on the way to work and I broke down: "When my mother transitioned to another plane I was sitting on a plane Tellin' her to hold on and she tried hard but she just couldn't hang Been two years, truth is I'll probably never be the same Dead serious, it's a chore not to let myself go insane" Hug your moms, life is short.

✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻✊ They fear solidarity

“This is for the do-gooders that the no-gooders, used and then abused For the truth-tellers tied to the whipping post, left beaten, battered, bruised For the ones whose body hung from a tree like a piece of strange fruit Go hard, last words to the firing squad was, “Fuck you too,'”

today: A Report to the Shareholders tomorrow: a few words for the firing squad

The Revolution has an Official Soundtrack

Damn that sax

RTJ makes you look like a psycho. Bopping to the beat with tears in eyes from the lyrics.

So much pain in that sax fuck I'm crying

This song has so much raw feeling to it, and invokes so much emotion. I've been listening to this on repeat for a week now, and I think I figured out why that little "Yankee and the Brave" bit at the end gets me just as teary-eyed as the rest of the emotional points on this album. After El-P and Killer Mike basically sing what is something of a eulogy, their last words as they're staring down the 'firing squad' then transitioning to something that is more upbeat, but it's more than that. It's triumphant, it's victorious, it's a point of acknowledgement saying "This deck might be stacked against you, facing all the odds, but we're in this together, and nothing can stop us." I dunno just the thought of that, that we're all in this together, and we can beat the odds the systems have put against us. It makes me hopeful for the future.

This month just got a little better

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” ― Frederick Douglass, Frederick Douglass: Selected Speeches and Writings

Damn, as a huge Bowie fan I've been waiting for sax solos to come back for quite some time. and that synth? Mmm. Also this is THEE song and album for right now. Thanks guys. True poets.

I want a whole TV series about people summoning RTJ when they have no other hope, then the crew wafflestomping whatever the problem was before disappearing in a puff of smoke......

The fact the album is releasing at a time like this highlights just how important RTJ are today

RTJ4: the anthems of a new age

The way this song is constructed is pure brilliance. It tells a very precise story, even the instrumental section and the silly ending. Context: RTJ 4 is the story of a revolution, as told through the framing device of a television show called "Yankee And The Brave". Every song was part of the show. By the end of the album, our two heroes are literally in front of a firing squad about to be killed by the state. The instrumental portion is initially meant to sound like they were executed, especially with the final words of Killer Mike. What the listener initially interprets as the sound of one's own death is interrupted by a television narrator. This is just another episode. The heroes are still alive. How they survived is left up to interpretation, but I like to think that the instrumental portion represents a battle and a rescue. Tonally, it's so bizarre but clearly intentional. The entire album straddles the line between rebellious hijinks and full-on anarchist teachings. By bookending the album with Yankee And The Brave, it not only provides an emotional palate cleanser after the super heavy themes of the last few songs, but it provides a sense of hope as well. Laughing in the face of a dystopian future, trivializing ones own near-death experience, treating all of this as though it's just another day in the life...I don't know. Something about that is just really powerful to me.

I know the whole album is out but i can't even get past this track, one of the best tracks of all time imo.

I need this. We needed this. The world needs this

EL P WENT OFF ON THIS WHOLE ALBUM

I just got off the phone with the based department and I can confirm from the chief that this album is, in fact, it.

Let's fucking goOOOO

"Who ever noticed that the worst of us have all the chips" rtj you have no idea how much your music is appreciated. Genuine artist's

Haven't heard a bad verse from RTJ always quality music

Maybe i'm just really high, but I cried at the end of this track.

I don't know, but songs like this can trigger an event crisis, a point where you choose to endure the growing pains of growing or apathy. I'm so fucking thankful for this.

They always bring it. Killer Mike’s press conference was so fitting on Saturday.

More relevant than ever right now

In my opinion this is instantly one of run the Jewels greatest songs . It breaks the classic formula that they have been doing so well for years and elevates them to new heights .One of el ps best verses too

The indomitable human spirit, defeating the endless march of entropy:

Man this one gave me the chills

This song is genuinely about to make me cry. Edit: This song DID make me cry. Seriously, I’m surprised this track hasn’t had as much recognition as most songs on this album, but what can you do when every song on this album is banger after BANGER.

Took me this long to understand why its Yankee and the Brave. NYC and Atl 🤦‍♂️ lmao

In a better timeline, Yankee and the Brave would be a plot leak for GTA 6.

This is the masterpiece of the masterpiece.

Killer Mike & El-P know just what the people need right now.

That saxophone solo is giving me crazy chills... this entire track does actually. This album is great....

The streak of RTJ mashing it out of the park on the last track of every single album continues, some of their best - A Christmas Fucking Miracle / Angel Duster / Report to the Shareholders and now A Few Words - these guys really know how to close strong, amazing album, 2020 needed this.

Made it through the whole album intact, got to this song and started crying. "For the owners of a shredded heart even when you wanna fall apart." Line of the year along with, "The world broke my momma heart and she died an addict." Made me feel their pain and reflect on my own. Had to shed a couple tears for not just my pain but the years of it that we've all felt for a long, long time. I'm a bitch lol

I don't like how we act like Kanye West is Hip Hop's impenetrable musical genius when EL-P exists.

This is going to be in the books for being the most important hip hop albums of all time. Just you wait! This is legendary!

You know it's a good album when you don't want the last song to end until the next one comes and as soon as the last track ends you find yourself right back here. This album is Dope AF!! Thank you RTJ!!

Haven’t been this happy since Christmas 2016

"I need a husband more than the world needs another martyr" wow, that line is incredible Edit: Definitely my favorite song on the album, brought tears to my eyes

Everyone:"Yankee and the Brave" My brain: "Pinky and the Brain"

I ran to this song. I'm at a low state of mind and I'm constantly disappointing myself. I do basic exercise and run to keep my mind on track, as some kind of way of coping. This song came on during one of these runs and I couldn't stop. RTJ f-cking rocks. Funny enough, I got done and stop at my door when the last part came on lol love when stuff like that happens :)

"You ever notice that the worst of us have all the chips?" "It really kinda takes the sheen off people gettin rich." RTJ every day heretics in the eyes of the state religion; The Church of the Almighty Dollar.

I can just imagine kendrick lamar just absolutely tearing up the jazz instrumental

That sax part is insane. Probably my fav track from RTJ.

"put the pistol and the fist in the air, we are there, swear to god" is genuinely what i needed

Shit gave me chills when Killer Mike says, "Dead serious, it's a chore not to let myself go insane It's crippling, make you want lean on a cup of promethazine But my queen say she need a king, not another junkie, flunky rapper fiend" Drugs are so glorified with all the younger kids. Rapper after rapper dying from drugs. This resignates with me because ive been there!! Coming up on 13 years total.. Thank you RTJ

“Old dudes” KILLIN IT AGAIN!!!!!

That sax towards the end... like a ton of bricks! This whole joint is powerful

What an amazing producer El-P is. One of the GOATS

RTJ4!!!!!

The time is ripe for this to blow up. RTJ4 needs to be heard by everyone.

This is the kind of album where every song is better than the last, then you restart the album and the pattern doesn't start over... just better and better with every minute listened. THANK YOU RTJ.

I got to see this live a few days ago in Milwaukee. I am still in awe. I tried to hold back the tears but these lyrics are too good and relevant. Much love to my favorite group of all time. RTJ4 should be the soundtrack of the revolution

🤘🤘🏻🤘🏼🤘🏽🤘🏾🤘🏿

RTJ 4 Let's go!!!

This is incredible. Made me wanna sing, cry, fight, dance and scream, all at a time. Chapeau.

Wish it was longer. This song makes me want to NEVER give up on life.

Jesus! The beat is just disgusting 🔥 Thank you El-P

Dark side of the moon saxophone

no one's talking about that yankee and the brave outro???

bro this song will play when the world ends or when it will be born anew. RTJ FOR LIFE

To describe a song as pure fire has been cheapened by overuse of the unworthy. This song is the Interim Magnum Opus of the Yankee and the Brave, and will remain king until RTJ5 or the end of the age. Bravo!

The last song of all the RTJ albums always crush, Angel Duster from RTJ 2 being my favorite. But man this song rocks my soul.

Run the jewels is here and "they can never tear us apart"

That violin.... holy shit!! Gives me chills every time!! RTJ forever!!

This whole album is amazing. Every word, every beat, I felt it. 2020's anthem👉🏾🇿🇦🔥🤛🏾

Today is a great day. RTJ4 baby

WOoww just wOw Are you bulletproof coz words sure hit like a bullet. 🔥♥️

Confession: I like the last bit enough to wish it was a whole song. IMO: It sounds like a (catchy) parody of a cheesy sitcom intro.

Thank you guys for this, seriously. My brain needs it

RTJ4 soundtrack to the revolution. 👉👊

I love it when they put saxophone in their music.

[Verse 1: El-P] I woke up early once again, that's four days straight I didn't wake you, baby, I just watched you lay In the radiation of the city sun I am in love with you, it is my only grace (Woo) You know how everything can seem a little out of place? All of my life, that seemed to be the only normal state So feelin' normal never really meant me feelin' sane And bein' clear about the truth and bein' sane have never really been the same I used to wanna get the chance to show the world I'm smart (Ha) Isn't that dumb? I should've focused mostly on the heart 'Cause I seen smarter people trample life like it's an art So bein' smart ain't what it used to be, that's fuckin' dark You ever notice that the worst of us have all the chips? It really kinda takes the sheen off people gettin' rich Like maybe rich is not the holy, ever-lovin' King of nothin' fuckers, know we know you're bluffin' You are dealing with the motherfuckin' money-money runners [Verse 2: Killer Mike] It'd be a lie if I told you that I ever disdained the fortune and fame But the presence of the pleasure never abstained me from any of the pain When my mother transitioned to another plane, I was sitting on a plane Tellin' her to hold on, and she tried hard, but she just couldn't hang Been two years, truth is I'll probably never be the same Dead serious, it's a chore not to let myself go insane It's crippling, make you wanna lean on a cup of promethazine But my queen say she need a king, not another junkie, flunky rapper fiend Friends tell her, "He could be another Malcolm, he could be another Martin" She told her partner, "I need a husband more than the world need another martyr" Made in Atlanta, Georgia, where I use to ride the MARTA With a empty .22 in the front pocket of my Braves Starter Tryin' to make it out the mud as a baby father is much harder The same children that you love and adore, the court'll use to break and rob ya Circumstance woulda broke a weaker man, but I put it on my mama I'm a man of honor and the hardship made me a better money runner [Verse 3: El-P] This is for the never heard, never even got a motherfuckin' word This is for my sister, Sarah, honey, I'm so sorry you were hurt (Ayy) This is for the dawn, mama took a knock, had to change the locks Dusted up and brushed off and I watched, talk about a boss For the holders of a shred of heart even when you wanna fall apart When you're surrounded by the fog, treadin' water in the ice cold dark When they got you feelin' like a fox runnin' from another pack of dogs Put the pistol and the fist up in the air, we are there, swear to God [Verse 4: Killer Mike] Black child in America, the fact that I made it's magic Black and beautiful, the world broke my mama heart, and she died an addict God blessed me to redeem her in my thoughts, words, and my actions Satisfaction for the devil, goddammit, he'll never, ever have it This is for the do-gooders that the no-gooders used and then abused For the truth tellers tied to the whippin' post, left beaten, battered, bruised For the ones whose body hung from a tree like a piece of strange fruit Go hard, last words to the firing squad was, "Fuck you too" [Instrumental Break] [Outro: Matt Sweeney, Matt Sweeney & A$AP Ferg, A$AP Ferg] This is the story of a couple of small-time hustlers Framed by crooked cops and forced to make a run for their lives Nothin' but a bag of money, a stolen Buick Grand National And each other to their names They ain't friends, exactly These guys have a better chance of killin' each other Than beatin' the odds No sir, they're brothers, and when the chips are down I really don't think you wanna bet against Yankee and the Brave (Brave, Brave, Brave, Brave) Yankee and the Brave (Brave, Brave, Brave, Brave) Yankee and the Brave (Brave, Brave, Brave, Brave) Yankee and the Brave (Brave, Brave, Brave, Brave) Yankee and the Brave (Brave, Brave, Brave, Brave) Yankee and the Brave (Brave, Brave, Brave, Brave) Oh, Yankee and the Brave (Brave, Brave, Brave, Brave) Yankee and the Brave (Brave, Brave, Brave, Brave)

Thank you. We really needed this right now. Love from MN.

This song is perfect.

This is probably my favorite track on RTJ4, easily the one I come back to the most!

This track brings me to tears, then at the end makes me laugh. That’s quite a feat. Incredible work.

Finally!! RTJ 4, tears of joy 😭😍😍😍😍

5:50 this will always go hard, i need an extended cut of this

I love the rtj “state of the world” album closers. Like they really come from the heart and leave you feeling empowered

My grandma just passed away...I listen to this thinking about her...I love you My Queen 👑 😔 Thank You Mike And El...I appreciate your music because it's helping me cope right now...

Best album this year , in all categories, the journey how effortlessly took me from track to track was perfect.. from 1st track to the last ...10/10 best MUSIC album all categories not just hip hop .. classic

Umong this pandemic, we have this jewel made of liquid fire.

Song of the year, maybe of the decade. A masterpiece of truth telling brilliance. A little TV on the The Radio feel

You guys are changing my freakin life over hurr. RTJ is not only the best thing going on in hiphop today, it's one of the best things I have discovered in life period. Their lyrics tell it how it is, and resonate more to me than all the mumble rap in the world could hope to do. Whatever it is that you are doing guys, keep it up! The world needs this shit.

its time bois

This song is fucking beautiful, the best closer and one of the best songs rtj have ever made, the message and production is on a diff level, this entire album was a pleasant fucking surprise, RTJ are going to go down as one of the greats

Lord forgive us, the terrible things we did to earn a voice like Killer Mike

Thank you El-P and Killer Mike. Your honesty is shaping a generation.

Sounds like 2012 El-P production and I love it

Yep, they've done it again. This album was one hell of a ride and made 2020 a whole less shitier, which is quite an achievement!

Killer Mike is sooooooooooooooooooooo dope......people better RECOGNIZE! And the saxophone piece....mannnnnnn! Get em' Killa' Kill!....100%

Every time I come back to this song it brings me to tears. Thank you Killer Mike & El-P. Never change.