Run the Jewels in the Studio with Zack de la Rocha, Travis Barker
Rappers, and best bros, El-P and Killer Mike are already at work on the follow-up to their 2013 collaborative album Run the Jewels, and based on a few new Instagram photos, the guest list may include Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and Rage Against the Machine‘s Zack de la Rocha.
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Barker posted a photo of himself in the studio with El, Mike and de La Rocha along with the caption, “In the studio listening to #RunTheJewels2 with @killermikegto #ELP and #ZachDeLaRocha Nuthin short of amazing #EarCandy #RunTheJewels #GoodMusicFollow.” A few hours earlier, both Killer Mike and El-P posted shots of de la Rocha in the studio, with El’s showing the Rage vocalist working on a laptop with the caption, “yes it really is happening. #RTJ2.”
Though not confirmed, the collaborations would make sense: Barker tapped a number of MCs for his 2011 solo album — including Lil’ Wayne, Ludacris, Kid Cudi and Rick Ross — and recently sat behind the kit for an EP with Yelawolf. In addition, the musician closed out the 2013 Grammys with LL Cool J, Chuck D, Tom Morello and Z-Trip. De la Rocha was once rumored to be working with El-P (and a number of other big-name producers, including DJ Shadow) on a project, though it never came to fruition.
No release date has been set for Run the Jewels 2, but it would follow up both last year’s collaborative effort and Mike’s 2012 comeback R.A.P. Music (produced entirely by El-P).
“When we do something, it feels good,” Killer Mike told Rolling Stone about working with El-P last year. “For the most part, man, it’s just a celebration of dope. It’s like two classy veterans that end up on the same team. Like [the way I see it], I’m at the championship. And I know I’m gonna get it with this little ginger motherfucker right here. There’s no question in my mind. There’s nothing like waking up knowing that. And that’s straight up — we’re unfuckwitable.”