“Walking in the Snow” was recorded last year, and Killer Mike’s “I can’t breath” line was a reference to Eric Garner’s last words, the same ones as George Floyd. It’s sad that a line like that, one that would seem so specific, actually happens so much in the USA it can feel constantly relevant. BLM. Edit: also “A Vonnegut punch for your Atlas Shrugged” is such a dope line
@@mohammedalhilfi508 lmao so? Right now Killer Mike has the verse if the year... the year isnt over and I cant predict the future so that may change... but even if Kendrick does drop there is no guarentee he will have the verse of the year... DAMN didnt have the verse of the year on it lmao.
@@mohammedalhilfi508 Kendrick is great but Killer Mike is always so poignant and so relevant. They're both the greats but RTJ takes it for me. This is coming from someone who's heavy rotation is RTJ, Outkast, Kendrick and Big Boi
On Pulling the Pin El-P is channeling Aesop Rock. One of the most prolific and astounding lyrical wordsmiths of our time. It is poetry. And it is beautiful.
Not channeling, he came up with Aes and they use to fuck with each other until some label beef. El has owned full-bodied storytelling since... well, always! :D
A wise fan one said "To this day, El-P is still competing with producers that aren't even born yet". Also they should check out Cannibal Ox- The Cold Vein which El-P produced and was at his best. This is easily one of the best Hip Hop albums of the 2000s.
Why are you surprised? Have you no idea who Mike is? Jaime is? What RTJ have been talking about for years now?! Surprised? Absolutely not. We expected this.
Pro0wnz Well, Eric Garner uttered the words “I can’t breathe” in 2014 as he was being choked to death by the NYPD in Staten Island. That’s what the lyrics on RTJ4 refer to since it was recorded in 2019. Unfortunately, coincidentally and sickeningly, those were the exact same words George Floyd used when he was murdered while handcuffed by that pig.
GoliathWarfare Well, RTJ2 came out right after the murder of Eric Garner and media coverage of police brutality was prevalent. Just like now. The same shit happening now, was happening in the summer and fall of 2014 plus the GOP was blocking any social and political advancement made by President Obama. The themes and situation on RTJ4 is not any different to the last 2 albums if you remember those days. Same shit. Different year. I hope you walked the walk today on the protests and marches because just listening to a record makes no different even without mobilization demanding change.
You guys are definitely gonna blow up, glad I got in on the ground floor! Would love to see some more old school reactions, there are so many good ones!
Nas-illmatic Mobb deep-infamous Biggie-ready to die Tribe called quest-midnight marauders or low end theory Raekwon-only built for Cuban links Gza-liquid swordz Anything from big L and gang starr, so many good ones....
"This beat is MAAAAAAaaaAaaaaAaaaAaad" at the beginning of "Holy Calamafuck" about killed me. 😂😂 Love you Brits. You two are really knowledgeable about music, it made your reaction so enjoyable to me. Edited to add: Honeybunny's boo is PUMPKIN!
Great reaction guys! I think the Walking In The Snow verse from Killer Mike was recorded last October or sometime around then. But they both referenced Eric Garner in the album, who died in a similar way to George Floyd. I think that makes it all the more chilling, how nothing has really changed.
EL-P was producing Zach De la Rocha's solo album that never saw the light of day. Somewhere sitting on a shelf is possibly one of the greatest albums of our time.
About time someone actually started giving El-P his props. So many reactions seem to hold back on it like it's going to damage their cred to admit the white guy in the group is good, too. Part of what makes RTJ so damn exceptional is how well they compliment each other - it's not like Mike's carrying him.
El-P is a living legend, and so is Mike. Cold Vein was released in 2001, blows my mind. Who would’ve thought Mike from The Dungeon would link up with Jaime from Def Jux. Fucking crazy.
@@ALIENjoy right?! Most people could have "produced The Cold Vein" on their CV and retire happily at their peak with that as their crowning achievement . . .
Loving your work, guys. The head bobbing is charming as anything and, like Mike and El, you’re a formidable fighting force: he’s catching the bars while she’s picking up on the melodies, instruments and the tiny details. I’ve been playing this album on repeat and still got new insights into the music from the things you guys caught and shared.
For more El_P production, check out Cannibal Ox - The Cold Vein. Dissonant beats that sound like the soundtrack to the Apocalypse. An often overlooked classic
I can't get enough of this record. The Product's production is always ALWAYS world-class, but with this joint he's gone to a completely different level even unto himself. Every possible example of sound engineering perfection is seized and capitalized on every track. Every. Single. One. And can we all agree that El P has taken his MC'ing (which has always been vastly underrated) to the next level as well? He has achieved the ability to flawlessly, effortlessly ride the nuttiest beats imaginable and utilizing many different complicated rhyme structures and time counts with ease. And Mike.. just GOD DAMN!!!! Mike is an absolute Titan on every track. The story-telling, the descriptives, the punchlines, the brags, it's all there and it's all razor sharp. My favorite part is on the track The Ground Below. Producto samples a Gang Of Four track called Ether and his first line in his verse is "Born from the Ether...", and then he goes on to spit the dopest bars I've EVER heard from him all the way to the very last syllable. AOTY and it's not even close. That's not true, Alfredo is close. But still...
Great reaction as usual! FYI if it hasn't been mentioned yet: Greg Nice's hook on "Ooh La La" is from Gang Starr's "DWYCK" (hence DJ Premier also being there to scratch on the track); "Out Of Sight" samples Foster Sylvers' "Misdemeanor"; and "The Ground Below" samples "Ether" by Gang Of Four.
First listen and it’s automatically their best out of the 4. RTJ2 is still my favourite but this album was a trip, voyage, adventure, experience I could go on. Amazing reaction family🌪🌪🖤
Put the kids in the oven is triple entendre. One of the meanings you missed is "kids" = sperm and "oven" is the cervix to impregnate. El P got some serious crazy verse puzzles man 😂
Love the reaction. Great video. Would love to see you guys react to: Deante Hitchcock - BETTER and Kota the Friend - EVERYTHING. Both amazing hip hop albums. Be safe and keep up the good work!
@8:08 I haven't heard enough El-P yet, but Eminem is one of the best, in my opinion. I agree completely though, RTJ is absolutely phenomenal. Honey Bunny, don't move =D
Listen to Broken Language by Smoov da Hustla and his brother Trigger. P and Mike shout it out in the beginning of holy Calamafuck and it's fire as fuck.
