Run the Jewels 3 is the third studio album by American hip hop duo Run the Jewels, which consists of rappers El-P and Killer Mike. It was digitally released on December 24, 2016, three weeks ahead of its slated release date, and was physically released on January 13, 2017, by Run the Jewels, Inc. and RED Distribution. This album serves as the follow-up to their 2014 album, Run the Jewels 2. The album features guest appearances from Danny Brown, Joi, Trina, Boots, Tunde Adebimpe, Zack de la Rocha, and Kamasi Washington. It was supported by three singles: "Talk to Me", "2100", and "Legend Has It". Similar to Run the Jewels 2, it was released as a free download on their website as well as being physically released on CD and LP.
Much like its predecessors, Run the Jewels 3 received widespread acclaim from critics and debuted at number 35 on the Billboard 200. It also debuted at number eight on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. As of January 2017, it has sold 41,000 copies.
Background
Run the Jewels 3 was first announced on December 14, 2014. Killer Mike announced that work on the album began in January 2015. On September 27, 2016, El-P confirmed that all of the album had been recorded.
Singles
The album's first single, "Talk to Me", was originally released on October 24, 2016, on Adult Swim's 2016 singles program. It was later released as the lead single of the album on November 4, 2016. The album's second single, "2100", was released on November 11, 2016. It features a guest appearance from American musician Boots. The album's third single, "Legend Has It", was released on December 2, 2016.
Artwork
In an interview with Spin, Run the Jewels discussed the meaning of the album's cover art:
“ For us, the RTJ1 hands were about "taking what's yours" – your world, your life, your attitude. The RTJ2 hands were wrapped in bandages, signifying injury and healing, which for us represented the growth in ideas and tone of that album. For RTJ3 the bandages are off, the chain is gone and the hands have been transformed into gold. For us this represents the idea that there is nothing to take that exists outside of yourself. You are the jewel.