Hours after the Grand Jury decided not to indict a police officer for the fatal shooting of unarmed Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, Run The Jewels were set to play a gig 13 miles away in St Louis. Here Killer Mike and EL-P remember the night that they first heard the news that shook America.
When Gigwise recently caught up with the band, EL-P wanted to make it clear why he chose to remain silent on stage while Killer Mike offered his opinions on the controversy. "I asked Mike to say something," the rapper explains. "Sometimes solidarity means shutting the fuck up...I think a lot of people don't realise that." The pair view their unlikely friendship as an example of how differences can be overcome through perseverance. "Me and Mike are allies and we feel the same way ultimately about the world."
Watch Gigwise's video interview with Run The Jewels above.
Now a regular talking head on CNN and Fox, Killer Mike agrees completely with his partner's assessment. "You should have friends that don't look like you, you should have friends who have a different opinion" he explains. "I don't expect we will wake up in an Utopian world tomorrow but I do think we could push towards a more varied sense of friends and allegiances." EL-P chips in: "I take a little bit of pride in the fact that you can't explain me and Mike."
Run The Jewels recently unveiled the video for 'Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck)' which focuses on the issue of police brutality. Watch it here.
Run The Jewels have a huge festival season ahead of them, including appearances at Field Day and Reading. They also have a headlining spot at London's Forum. For tickets see below.
