In these times of upheaval and alteration, joy can often be hard to come by.
Not least for Killer Mike, one half of hip-hop group Run The Jewels and renowned social activist. You may have seen Mike's impassioned speech amidst the Black Lives Matter protests regarding the death of George Floyd.
Mike's speech at the Atlanta Police Department called on people to "plot, plan, strategise, organise and mobilise" in order to enforce change, rather than, in his words, "burn your own house down in anger at an enemy".
Today, Killer Mike and collaborator El-P have released their fourth studio album, RTJ4, two days early. Furthermore, you can get it for absolutely free.
The duo accompanied the news with the following statement:
Fuck it, why wait?
The world is infested with bullshit so here's something raw to listen to while you deal with it all.
We hope it brings you some joy.
Stay safe and hopeful out there and thank you for giving two friends the chance to be heard and do what they love.
With sincere love and gratitude,
Jaime and Mike
RTJ4 contains features from the likes of hip-hop royalty in DJ Premier to frontman of Rage Against The Machine, Zach de la Rocha.
RTJ4 is available as a free download on the group's website, but there's also the opportunity to donate to the National Lawyers Guild Mass Defence Fund.
The money generated from the album with go into aiding the Mass Defence Committee, which is "network of lawyers, legal workers and law students providing legal support for political activists, protesters and movements for social change." This fund is designed to "provide trainings, assistance in setting up temporary legal offices and legal support structures, and materials for supporting activists engaged in mass protests".
RTJ4 is available to download right here.
