Run The Jewels surprise release new album as free download two days early: Listen

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Run The Jewels have released their new album two days early.

The duo, made up of Killer Mike and El-P, initially announced details of a new album back in May, with a release date of June 5th.

Yesterday (June 3rd), Run The Jewels released the 11-track album ‘RTJ4’ via their website. The album can be streamed and also downloaded, with optional donations towards the Mass Defence Program, a network of lawyers, legal workers and law students providing legal support for political activists, protesters and movements for social change.

Killer Mike and El-P wrote in a 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,”

Last month, rapper and activist Killer Mike delivered an emotional speech to protestors in Atlanta, urging for peace and calm amid the violence. The speech was in response to protests which have began since the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man from Minnesota who was killed by a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, on Monday 25th May. Footage of the arrest shows Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes, ignoring him as he repeatedly pleads, “I can’t breathe”.

Stream and download ‘RTJ4’ here.

The music industry and fans are among the hundreds to have donated to organisations and funds in aid of protesters in Minneapolis and black community initiatives following the killing of George Floyd.

Below, you will find some links to organisations/fundraisers you can donate to:

The George Floyd Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

Black Visions Collective (BLVC): https://www.blackvisionsmn.org/

#JusticeforFloyd: https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/justiceforfloyd_george_floyd_minneapolis

The Minnesota Freedom Fund: https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/donate

Black Lives Matter: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

Reclaim the Block: https://secure.everyaction.com/zae4prEeKESHBy0MKXTIcQ2