Over the past decade, Atlanta-based rapper Killer Mike has solidified his place in the pantheon of hip-hop legends. With six solo studio albums and four more as part of the acclaimed duo Run The Jewels, Killer Mike’s discography is a testament to his enduring influence and creative evolution. Run The Jewels, the dynamic partnership between Mike and Brooklyn’s own El-P, has also blessed fans with two remix projects and two EPs, continuously pushing the boundaries of the genre. Here’s a closer look at his most streamed works on Spotify.
1 | Run The Jewels 3
Streams: 333,783,214
“Run the Jewels 3” stands as Killer Mike’s most streamed album to date. This third installment of his collaboration with El-P dropped digitally on December 24, 2016, followed by a physical release on January 13, 2017, through their own imprint, Run the Jewels, Inc. via RBC Records.
The album features an impressive lineup of guest artists, including Danny Brown, Joi, Trina, Boots, Tunde Adebimpe, Zack de la Rocha, and Kamasi Washington. Fueled by singles like “Talk to Me,” “2100,” and “Legend Has It,” the album was made available for free download and on traditional formats like CD and LP. Peaking at #13 on the US Billboard 200, it moved 23,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.
2 | Run The Jewels 2
Streams: 294,129,509
The sequel to their debut, “Run the Jewels 2,” was released for free on October 24, 2014, with an iTunes release the following day. Physical copies hit the shelves on October 28, 2014, via Mass Appeal Records and RBC Records. This album debuted at number 50 on the US Billboard 200, with 12,000 copies sold in the first week.
A standout addition to their catalog, “Run the Jewels 2” was followed by the release of “Meow the Jewels,” a parody remix album using cat sounds, available for free. Additionally, a standard remix album was slated for release by Fool’s Gold Records in 2015.
3 | RTJ4 (Deluxe Edition)
Streams: 236,854,288
Released in 2022, over a year after the original “RTJ4,” this deluxe edition expands the album into a 24-track collection. It includes the original 11 tracks, instrumentals, the song “No Save Point” from Cyberpunk 2077, and remixes of fan favorites. Highlights include an eclectic production overhaul of “JU$T” by What So Not and new features on “ooh la la” and “the ground below” by Lil Wayne and Royal Blood, respectively.
4 | Run The Jewels
Streams: 125,083,813
Their self-titled debut album, “Run the Jewels,” released in 2013, was offered as a free download. This groundbreaking release set the stage for the duo’s explosive impact on the hip-hop scene.
5 | Michael (Rap Album of the Year)
Streams: 84,331,470
“Michael,” Killer Mike’s sixth solo studio album, dropped on June 16, 2023, through VLNS and Loma Vista Recordings. The southern-style rap album features a star-studded roster including CeeLo Green, Mozzy, Young Thug, 6lack, Eryn Allen Kane, Jagged Edge, André 3000, Future, Currensy, 2 Chainz, Kaash Paige, Blxst, Fabo, El-P, and Ty Dolla Sign. With production credits from André 3000, Beat Butcha, James Blake, and Don Cannon, the album’s acclaim culminated in a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2024.
With each release, Killer Mike and Run The Jewels continue to redefine the hip-hop landscape, offering an unrelenting barrage of innovative sounds and thought-provoking lyrics. Their catalog is a journey through the evolving soundscapes of modern rap, and their influence is undeniable.
