Run The Jewels, the duo of Killer Mike and El-P, have released a video for "walking in the snow" (watch here) from their milestone 2020 album RTJ4. Directed by Chris Hopewell, who also directed the music video for RTJ3's "Don't Get Captured," the stop motion visual stars action figure versions of Mike and El, who have been thrust into a toy-populated bedroom city where authoritarian forces have seized power and routinely use violence to quell revolt. But it doesn't take long for our heroes to discover and link up with a secret rebel force intent on overthrowing their frosty overlords. The treatment is a perfect thematic fit for the song, which was hailed upon its release as one of the most lyrically prescient and relevant songs of the era, and its tightrope walk between scathing political commentary and good humored fun is a perfect reflection of the band itself.
Watch "walking in the snow" video
"It was great to work with the RTJ guys again," states Hopewell. "Everyone was very aware of the gravity of the subject matter and RTJ didn't want to be too obvious or on the nail with the visuals, so we went with an 80's style fantasy look with evil snow warriors and their icy king oppressing the bedroom toys. It was great to be involved with a project with a positive vibe to end a pretty fucked up year. Big thanks to the RTJ crew for their truth and for letting us work with their amazing music once again."
The video release caps a banner year for the monolithic rap duo. Unable to tour due to the ongoing pandemic, the group have kept busy by rolling out one inventive initiative after another: launching their album campaign in April with an epic music video for their hit single "ooh la la" (followed by a partnership with COOKIES on their own cannabis strain of the same name); dropping an exclusive new song & music video for the year's most anticipated video game Cyberpunk 2077 (also accompanied by a wildly ambitious beer collaboration with thirteen celebrated craft breweries around the globe); plus the brilliant marketing crossover for their music video "out of sight", featuring the rapper 2 Chainz and starring the lead characters from Amazon Studios' indie thriller, Get Duked!, which was directed by another previous RTJ collaborator, Ninian Doff. And prior to the recent presidential election, the duo unveiled the brilliant televised concert film Holy Calamavote, performing a blistering rendition of RTJ4 front-to-back, joined by the same cadre of all-star guests from their award-winning album, including Pharrell Williams, Mavis Staples, 2 Chainz, Zack de la Rocha, Josh Homme, Gangsta Boo, and Greg Nice. Most recently the duo were named Artist of the Year by SPIN and RTJ4 was named album of the year by NME.
"walking in the snow" video credits
Director: Chris Hopewell of Jacknife Films & Black Dog Films
Executive Producers: Will Bronson & Amaechi Uzoigwe, Rosie Brind, Dilara Cagal, Courtney Marr, Naomi Zeichner, David Krinsky, and Gianfranco Cuoco
Produced By: YouTube Music, Unreasonable Studios, Jacknife Studios & Black Dog Films
Run The Jewels photo by Jonathan Mannion
Listen to RTJ4
Watch the "Yankee & The Brave (Episode 4)" video:
Watch the "Out of Sight (Feat. 2 Chainz)" video:
Watch the lyric video for "JU$T"
Watch the video for "Ooh La La (feat. Greg Nice & DJ Premier)"
Watch the "No Save Point" video
Buy exclusive Run The Jewels x Cyberpunk 2077 merch
Find Run The Jewels beer
No comments:
Post a Comment