KILLER MIKE & EL-P RELEASE "RUN THE JEWELS"

To be a hip-hop fan nowadays is not easy. Although the genre has never been this alive, the quality (or lack thereof) and the frequency that it's being churned out is a bit disinteresting. I am sure at some point you've been jaded by ringtone rap, molly poppin' music, and the classic drugs-guns-women anthems.

If this is the case, then let's escape the land of Top 40 bangers, club staples and gangsta rhymes for a while... Allow us to take you left field.

Brooklyn-bred producer El-P and Atlanta's very own Killer Mike - collectively known as Run The Jewels - decided to come together, make an album and name it after themselves. "Run The Jewels" the album is, just to fairly warn you, is not for everyone. It won't make you bang your head, but it will make you think. The beats are noisy, seemingly unorganized, but it is still a messy work of art.

The album's dopeness is an acquired taste, to say the least.

"Run The Jewels" true hero is its lyrics. The bars spit by both MCs are exciting, thought-provoking and technical. It sounds like a sparring session between two heavy weight champs without actually trying to hurt each other.

"Run The Jewels" is free via Fool's Gold Records' website. Listen to it guilt-free, and get familiar with the duo.

Once again, fair warning: If you're looking for party music that you can dance to, don't even waste your time downloading it. But if you are open to experimental/conceptual hip-hop, then this is as good as it gets.