'A Christmas Fucking Miracle' music video: Killer Mike as Santa, El-P as his elf.

[Certain]

[PancakeBrah]

I'm curious as to how El-P and Killer Mike came to be serious collaborators (Run the Jewels, guest spots, etc.). They're dope as a duo. Weird pairing, though.

[Certain]

Your inquiry led me to search for interviews, and while I couldn't find the answer to that, I did find this from a FACT Magazine Q&A:

And lastly what is your favourite thing about the internet? The favourite thing you like to do or waste time on…

(Killer Mike): My ability to access high art very quickly and my ability to see ratchet shit and pornography at will very quickly. I swear to god that’s the truth.

http://www.factmag.com/2013/06/14/sp...-the-jewels/3/

[Certain]

Originally Posted by PancakeBrah

I'm curious as to how El-P and Killer Mike came to be serious collaborators (Run the Jewels, guest spots, etc.). They're dope as a duo. Weird pairing, though.

This Rolling Stone interview somewhat answers your query, in a long-winded way:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/ne...ewels-20130620

Basically it sounds like, whether he wants to admit it or not, Killer Mike wasn't thrilled with the form Atlanta rap had taken in the late 2000s and began looking for a new avenue. El-P produced all of R.A.P. Music, and in turn, Killer Mike had that verse on Cancer 4 Cure. Touring together was natural, then they decided to form Run the Jewels and do an album.

I wouldn't be surprised if you see this kind of overlap between hip-hop subcultures happening all the time now. Those complaints about not liking Southern rap or not liking Houston rap or not liking underground rap or not liking nerd rap are futile. The end goal is good music. When multiplatinum superstar Big Boi is rapping alongside El-P, the godfather of nerd rap, times have changed.

[PancakeBrah]

True. The death of the 'monoculture' (hate that term) is happening all over, not just music/rap music. Same thing with subgenres and delineations. Still, this is definitely one of the more unexpected outcomes. Their styles mesh well together, though, so it's nice to see.

[Certain]

Inspectah Deck and 7L & Esoteric together is in the same vein. Really, though, Kool Keith used to share stages with Big Daddy Kane. Company Flow was on the same label as Talib Kweli. The Internet tore us apart, only to bring us together.

[Mercules]

yeah this album is pretty solid. love that beat on 36" chain. I def like this collab album more than their solo albums released in 2012