El-P
Biography
When Run the Jewels released "RTJ4" in 2020, it marked another triumphant chapter for Jaime Meline, better known as El-P, who had spent over two decades proving that underground hip-hop could be both intellectually challenging and viscerally thrilling. The album's politically charged tracks like "Walking in the Snow" and "JU$T" demonstrated how the 47-year-old producer-rapper had evolved from an angry young man railing against corporate America into a seasoned artist whose dystopian visions had become uncomfortably prophetic.
El-P's partnership with Killer Mike in Run the Jewels, which began in 2013, represents the culmination of a career that started in the grimy basements of New York's underground scene. The duo's four albums have garnered critical acclaim and mainstream recognition, with their aggressive, politically conscious rap backed by El-P's signature production style – a dense, industrial soundscape that sounds like robots having nightmares. Their live performances have become legendary spectacles of controlled chaos, with El-P's manic energy perfectly complementing Mike's commanding presence.
Before Run the Jewels transformed him into something approaching a household name, El-P had already cemented his reputation as hip-hop's premier sonic architect through his solo work. His 2012 album "Cancer 4 Cure" showcased his evolution as both producer and MC, featuring collaborations with artists like Killer Mike that would soon bloom into their full partnership. The album's paranoid, apocalyptic themes reflected El-P's worldview while demonstrating his growing confidence as a rapper. Earlier, "I'll Sleep When You're Dead" (2007) had established him as a formidable solo artist, moving beyond his role as Company Flow's primary producer to deliver complex, stream-of-consciousness rhymes over his own meticulously crafted beats.
The foundation of El-P's legend was built with Company Flow, the trio he formed with Bigg Jus and Mr. Len in the mid-1990s. Their 1997 debut "Funcrusher Plus" was a seismic event in underground hip-hop, introducing a sound so abrasive and uncompromising that it seemed to emerge from some alternate dimension where hip-hop had evolved in complete isolation from commercial considerations. El-P's production on tracks like "The Fire in Which You Burn" created a template for alternative hip-hop that countless artists would follow. The album's success led to a major label deal with Rawkus Records, though the group's uncompromising vision often clashed with commercial expectations.
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, Jaime Meline discovered hip-hop in the 1980s and was immediately drawn to its more experimental edges. His early exposure to punk rock and electronic music would prove crucial in developing his distinctive production style, which incorporated elements that traditional hip-hop producers avoided – dissonant samples, unconventional drum patterns, and an overall aesthetic that prioritized atmosphere over accessibility. This approach made him a sought-after producer for artists seeking something different from the mainstream hip-hop sound.
In 2000, El-P founded Definitive Jux Records, which became a crucial platform for alternative hip-hop throughout the decade. The label released groundbreaking albums by artists like Cannibal Ox, Aesop Rock, and Mr. Lif, with El-P often handling production duties. His work on Cannibal Ox's "The Cold Vein" is particularly revered, creating a bleak, futuristic soundscape that perfectly complemented the duo's abstract lyricism. Through Def Jux, El-P helped nurture a whole generation of artists who viewed hip-hop as an art form capable of infinite experimentation.
El-P's influence extends far beyond his own recordings. His production style has been cited as influential by artists ranging from Death Grips to clipping., and his approach to independent music business has provided a blueprint for countless artists seeking alternatives to major label constraints. His willingness to embrace controversy and political engagement has also helped maintain hip-hop's tradition of social commentary during periods when the genre seemed increasingly focused on commercial success.
Today, El-P stands as one of hip-hop's most respected figures, having successfully navigated multiple phases of his career while maintaining his artistic integrity. His journey from underground producer to one half of a critically acclaimed duo demonstrates both his adaptability and his unwavering commitment to pushing hip-hop's boundaries. Whether crafting beats that sound like machinery in revolt or delivering rapid-fire verses about corporate
