SLCene Suggests: Run the Jewels at The Urban Lounge

RUN THE JEWELS, THE URBAN LOUNGE, Monday, Nov. 17, 9 p.m., $20

The hip-hop duo made up of El-P and Killer Mike is doing things altogether differently when it comes to their career, and it’s working perfectly. Both men are insanely creative entities in their own right, capable of busting out solo albums, but together their powers are magnified, as evidenced by the two excellent albums they’ve released so far. The tunes are sparse, with El-P providing production that is in turns harrowing, buoyant or mind-boggling. The same goes for Killer Mike’s lyrical flow, a rapid-fire stream of thoughts and verbal salvos that is a blast to listen to — on repeat. Ratking and Despot open the show. They also approach the business side of music in a different way — both Run the Jewels’ albums arrived via a free download, giving both hardcore fans and casual observers the chance to hear some of the best hip-hop of the year.