Concert Review: Run The Jewels @ The Danforth Music Hall

By: Daniel Gerichter (@ZenDonut) –

Run The Jewels. (Photo: Michael Schmelling)

“Let me tell you motherfuckers what we’ve been through for the last couple of days”, cackled an exhausted El-P. A broken down tour bus, a merchandise trailer literally on fire, a well-documented show in the eye of the Ferguson shit storm and an emergency flight later and Run the Jewels still managed to show up for their the sold out show at Toronto’s Danforth Music Hall. And man did they ever deliver.

Since their self-titled debut, Killer Mike and El-P have become two halves of hip-hop’s most unlikely success story. Run the Jewels are the perfect storm of bone-crunching beats, vicious lyrics, a wicked sense of humour and on-stage chemistry. It’s exactly what hip hop fans are looking for. Where a smaller group of curious hip-hop heads met their opening slot appearance at NXNE, full-on Run the Jewels fans packed last night’s show. Chanting “RTJ” and throwing the now signature ‘gun/chain’ hand gesture, this is now their rabidly dedicated fanbase.

Back to the group’s recent troubles: tour mates Ratking and Despot, who it can be assumed also relied on the broken down Run the Jewels-themed bus to get around. Then, for whatever reason, the U-Haul containing the group’s merchandise (much of it already sold out on the group’s website) caught fire while on route. More astonishing was the energy they managed to put into every one of their tracks. Arriving to the chorus of “We are the Champions”, the group dove right into the eponymous track from their first album. From there, they delivered blazing renditions of several cuts from each of their albums.

The chemistry between Killer Mike and El-P cannot be understated. They high-five, they hug, and they finish each other’s rhymes. And still, they’re individuals. Their solidarity over the recent happenings in Ferguson was on full display, dedicating “Lie Cheat and Steal” to Darren Wilson and the Ferguson P.D. and “Early”, a passionate tale of racism and police brutality to Michael Brown. Killer Mike performed his verse with his hands clasped and his eyes closed. It’s also understandable that the fatigue of the last week had begun to set in. Both huffed their way through some of their lyrics, especially later in the show.

Run the Jewels are one of 2014’s greatest success stories. Two guys who love what they do, are good at what they do and are clearly better together – winning over the masses. The crowd – mellow and peaceful considering their soundtrack – are now “family” according to El-P. The Danforth, proving to be one of Toronto’s most in-demand venues for artists on the rise, felt too small for this group. How long before they’re selling out the Air Canada Centre? How long before they’re accepting Grammys? It may not have felt possible in 2013, but that’s the reality that Run the Jewels made for themselves. The two are still in the beginning of their journey from buzz-worthy to blockbuster. This is the part that involves vehicle fires and political upheaval, so as brutal as it might have been for them, it suits their story perfectly.

Check out our photos from the show here.