36″ Chain is the debut release off El-P and Killer Mike‘s 2013 release Run The Jewels. This track has a grimy, dark feel to it with an enticing eastern-tinged slow, grooving beat. With Killer Mike spitting fiery stream-of-conscious style lyrics all over the bar and El-P’s production skills, it’s hard to go wrong with this track.
‘From the ceilings of heaven to the gates of hell /
We murder death killed every stage we step /
Homicide times two better warn yourself, El’
El-P has a relaxed MCing style, and lags lazily over the beat for his verses while still appearing f***ing badass. Killer Mike brings a quintessentially Atlanta sound to the table too. Think Aesop Rock, a heavier version of Ludacris or the like mixed with more electronic trancey, dubstep and synths. This is new generation commercial hip hop and as usual, El-P is at the forefront of the movement.
3/5
word is the herb 