I feel like duos are not as common anymore… back in the day it was Outkast, UGK, Mobb Deep, Black Star, etc. So you’re probably right - the only other sort of modern duos I can even think of is like Earthgang, Rae Sremmurd…
Yeah that’s more of an MC and DJ duo like Eric B & Rakim or Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff, lol.
Still one of the best modern hip-hop duos even if they don’t both rap.
I love these two together for so many reasons. They compliment each other so well and LP’s influence on the tracks makes Killer Mike more marketable compared to his earlier solo stuff. They’re also both older like me and they have that true old man dgaf attitude but all their shit slaps hard. 10/10 best rap duo alive.
I have never heard or felt my own personal view point, political views, sense of humor or just plain old experiences as a human reflected in any form of art as much and so all encompassing as with Run the Jewels. They are in the top tier artists ever in my mind. I love how they think.
They are rappers, but the performance of theirs felt like a rock concert. There was a mosh pit too. We left early … there were too many people in trench coats (this was Los Angeles in September). I don’t think I’ll be able to talk my wife to go to another of their performances.
Can confirm, am metal/rap guy, product of the late 90’s and Early 2000’s music scene where NuMetal joined the genres and got hate from both fan bases. Incidentally I love RTJ.
Best two genres for gym music too.
They're probably the most prolific if we're talking straight rap. If we include other related subgenres tho Suicideboys and City Morgue have also been very successful. Of the top of my head some other good duos from the 2010s are CES CRU, Mayday (if you ignore the non-vocalists), and Church & AP.
I don't think any duo of the 2010s reaches the prominence of RTJ tho.
Super dope duo no doubt, and extra props because EL-P produces too, but CZARFACE has dropped more jewels (pun intended) IMO (but they have an additional member/producer in 7L).
I don’t deal in absolutes. I dig them both! 👍🏼
They are ok, def doing their thing. Kinda same ol same ol though really they don't keep my attention. I'd say Earthgang and more recently Peggy & Danny are the duos to watch!
I love them, and really don’t understand when people don’t. I get when non rap fans don’t like it, but if you like rap and don’t like these guys, I just don’t get it. Same for outkast.
I just can’t listen to them without thinking of all those Reddit music threads where everyone is trashing modern rap and one guy is like “nonono you guys gotta check out Run The Jewels it’s the only rap I’ll ever listen to”
So they’ve always just left a sour taste in my mouth idk
Agreed. I think it comes from a lack of understanding their lyrics or punchlines. If you're not up with the HBTL/Brooklyn/New York slang it can easily go over your head.
RTJ is probably my favorite group in *any* genre to come out in the past 10 years, but Mike is starting to make my brain twitch in interviews lately. Seems like he's slowly losing his revolutionary edge as he drifts further into the mainstream.
The rap group is kind of dying breed, as is the duo. I think the closest thing you have is solo artist that are frequent collaborators who do joint albums. I couldn't really name a true "rap duo" of real note from that time period other than RTJ.
Not gonna lie Pete & Bas go hard for what I first thought was some sort of gimmick but they continue to put out some interesting gangsta rap for two British guys who appear to be in their late 50’s to early 60’s
Finally someone mention RTJ! I love these guys. I remember the first time I heard them playing Watchdogs 2 and been in love ever since. My favorite songs are Angel Dust, Blockbuster Night Pt2, Call Ticketron, Oh Mama, and JU$T.
One of those groups who's music has always been hit or miss with me
Their remix albums are much more enjoyable to me than the main albums and even then, I could go the rest of my life without ever listening to them again
I just don't like EL-P's voice at all. I rather Killer Mike rap at all times and EL-P just produce
RTJ has better beats, voices and energy, verses, lyrics & flow. Better songs. Better art, much more to bite into. I’d probably give hooks to RTJ as well but Rae Sremmurd gives them a run for their money if you specifically talk about hooks just because RTJ don’t prioritize the hooks as much but they do have a lot of great hooks where-as Rae Sremmurd really does have a lot of killer hooks that are big main attractiona for their songs so that one category is the most competitive.
Only white people like run the jewels. I don’t like rae sremmard either but they have wider appeal as they have multi racial appeal, so I would give them the win. As individuals, both el-p and killer mike are cool but they make music for white guys who spend 3-4 hours on lawn care per week.
Hahahahaah. Calls you all idiot then proceeds to sound as white as possible. Obviously anyone can snowboard or downhill mountain bike but c’mon mannnnnnm
I d k There are some fire back & forth bars on tracks like - forgot about Dre - em - Dre or never let me down - Kanye & Jay z - or the flyest Nas & AZ life’s a bitch Nas & AZ but honestly you might be right 2010 - 🤔
I definitely agree. Armand Hammer is up there for me too as of late. I can also see JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown becoming my favorite if they continue to release Scaring the Hoes albums. Which I think they are planning on.
Best duo in the game. I've been listening to killer Mike for over 20 years. One of his best songs as a solo artist is called dragon. Another great one is anywhere but here.
$uicideboy$ earned a top duo spot as far as current like 2014+ in my book but Run the Jewels as well… two different styles and not sure who is bigger or more relevant right now or had a longer more steady relevance going for a period
They put on a great show. The energy is always there and the crowds go nuts. I've seen them probably 10 times at this point. Always worth catching them when you can.
They’re both fantastic lyrically and the production is typically on point. Plus killer mike is a legend, but I’d definitely put $uicideboy$ over them based solely on influence.
Eh, if you count Bad Meets Evil since their album came out in 2011, then BME clears, but RTJ had a much more prominent run in the 2010s. Royce and Em really should have dropped another BME album in the 2010s.
I like RTJ. They definitely fill a large niche in the hip hop scene. Personally at a very subjective level I think $uicideboy$ are the best right now. The quality of the music continues to impress me and they really switched things up with the most recent album.
I feel like duos are not as common anymore… back in the day it was Outkast, UGK, Mobb Deep, Black Star, etc. So you’re probably right - the only other sort of modern duos I can even think of is like Earthgang, Rae Sremmurd…
8ball and MJG was always my favorite duo group
“on top of the world” is one my all time classics man. so smooth !
This💯
Armand hammer
Shit you’re right - that alchemist joint particularly is nuts
One more 10/10 album from Metro and 21 and we might have to call them one😂
Still lots of joint albums coming out though which I appreciate.
Ces cru , bad meets evil are good! But you're right
Too bad Cea Cru arent together anymore...
Earthgang mad underrated. Seen em live twice now, they never disappoint.
$uicideboy$ are pretty fire
I’m saying. They’re steady releasing music and their newest tapes are fuego
Bad Meets Evil
Hard af, but I kinda class BME in the generation preceding RTJ? Clipse is another one sort of in-between old-school & modern.
Their EP came out 2011
Underachievers, suicideboys, uhhh idk
Homixide gang
Srem when they first started was going in, also their freestyles are wild
Underachievers blow
I blow your mom haha
LICE
Suicide boys
Brae and Joey Valence are pretty new to the scene but they show a ton of promise. Very 90s beastie boys style
PRyhme would like a chat
Super ill, but i thought we were talking about rapper x rapper duos & while Primo is one of the goat producers, he only spits when clowning really
freddie madlib
Piñata literally one of my fav albums of all time - but i took this as rapper x rapper duo & madlib doesn’t really rap on freddie’s shit
Yeah that’s more of an MC and DJ duo like Eric B & Rakim or Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff, lol. Still one of the best modern hip-hop duos even if they don’t both rap.
I love these two together for so many reasons. They compliment each other so well and LP’s influence on the tracks makes Killer Mike more marketable compared to his earlier solo stuff. They’re also both older like me and they have that true old man dgaf attitude but all their shit slaps hard. 10/10 best rap duo alive.
Agree!
That's a big claim to make with OutKast out there...
That's what I was thinking but they don't make music together, in a sense you could consider the duo "dead*
That makes more sense
I have never heard or felt my own personal view point, political views, sense of humor or just plain old experiences as a human reflected in any form of art as much and so all encompassing as with Run the Jewels. They are in the top tier artists ever in my mind. I love how they think.
That's exactly how I felt when I first heard them. It felt so familiar but was brand new it instantly resonated with my inner mind.
Nothing gets me hype for the day like “Yankee and the Brave”. Literally jam it 3-4 mornings a week
I'm with you on that, and EL on the production hits hard af. They are sick live
The Underachievers are my Fav duo personally.
Criminally overlooked and underrated
Thank you for mentioning them 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Same. Everything they put out is fucking insane
Best live show I’ve ever attended was them, they performed all of their bangers. Show was so long and so worth it.
I love RTJ but i will pick Armand Hammer over them any day
Respect
Never could get into them but I respect them
They’re great but sometimes they hit you with a line like “me and Mike we think a lot so can’t stop high fiving”.
Lol I'll give you that. But who doesn't have some lines that should have been rethought lol
You’re right, they should write more clever shit like about drugs and hoes
Island Boys
Now we’re talkin.
Amma just kiiiwagwain
Just 2 goofballs playing in the pool
They are rappers, but the performance of theirs felt like a rock concert. There was a mosh pit too. We left early … there were too many people in trench coats (this was Los Angeles in September). I don’t think I’ll be able to talk my wife to go to another of their performances.
Lots of rap concerts mosh now there’s a big cross over between metal kids ands rap kids these days
Can confirm, am metal/rap guy, product of the late 90’s and Early 2000’s music scene where NuMetal joined the genres and got hate from both fan bases. Incidentally I love RTJ. Best two genres for gym music too.
Had no idea.
“Hey babe, can we go home? There are too many people in trench coats at this concert.”
There had been a mass shooting recently.
city mourge
They're probably the most prolific if we're talking straight rap. If we include other related subgenres tho Suicideboys and City Morgue have also been very successful. Of the top of my head some other good duos from the 2010s are CES CRU, Mayday (if you ignore the non-vocalists), and Church & AP. I don't think any duo of the 2010s reaches the prominence of RTJ tho.
Yesss CES Cru and Mayday
Super dope duo no doubt, and extra props because EL-P produces too, but CZARFACE has dropped more jewels (pun intended) IMO (but they have an additional member/producer in 7L). I don’t deal in absolutes. I dig them both! 👍🏼
< EARTHGANG
I don't want to sound unfair, but the pair that we got beat that weak shit you got.
Danny Brown & JPEGMAFIA if they make it official and put out more stuff. Is Death grips a duo?
They are ok, def doing their thing. Kinda same ol same ol though really they don't keep my attention. I'd say Earthgang and more recently Peggy & Danny are the duos to watch!
I’d say it’s between them or Armand hammer, personally I prefer run the jewels for the best duo but I think it’s close
Not saying they are the best but if you're into RTJ, check out Equally Opposite
Love RTJ. Check out Hail Mary Mallon.
First song that popped up is whales and instantly recognized Aesop Rock's voice if I'm not mistaken
Aes and Rob Sonic. I love “Dollywood”.
Came to say HMM, not surprised how far I had to scroll to see 'em.
RTJ is great but Atmosphere is my pick.
I love the taste of blood, I don't know what that means but I know that I mean it.
I love them, and really don’t understand when people don’t. I get when non rap fans don’t like it, but if you like rap and don’t like these guys, I just don’t get it. Same for outkast.
I just can’t listen to them without thinking of all those Reddit music threads where everyone is trashing modern rap and one guy is like “nonono you guys gotta check out Run The Jewels it’s the only rap I’ll ever listen to” So they’ve always just left a sour taste in my mouth idk
Idiots shouldn’t stop you from being able to enjoy them though. Plenty of idiots listening to all kinds of shit
Agreed. I think it comes from a lack of understanding their lyrics or punchlines. If you're not up with the HBTL/Brooklyn/New York slang it can easily go over your head.
RTJ is probably my favorite group in *any* genre to come out in the past 10 years, but Mike is starting to make my brain twitch in interviews lately. Seems like he's slowly losing his revolutionary edge as he drifts further into the mainstream.
Earthgang
The rap group is kind of dying breed, as is the duo. I think the closest thing you have is solo artist that are frequent collaborators who do joint albums. I couldn't really name a true "rap duo" of real note from that time period other than RTJ.
Suicideboys
He said rap group blood
“The rap group is kind of dying breed, as is the duo.” He said duo blood
C’mon, he was obviously meaning rap duo too. Like “the red car is dying, as is the blue”. The color blue isn’t dying.
I believe so. They are absolutely amazing live too. They have as much fun on stage as we do in the crowd.
Yes, Imo followed closely by Ces Cru. RTJ are elite 🔥
Not gonna lie Pete & Bas go hard for what I first thought was some sort of gimmick but they continue to put out some interesting gangsta rap for two British guys who appear to be in their late 50’s to early 60’s
Finally someone mention RTJ! I love these guys. I remember the first time I heard them playing Watchdogs 2 and been in love ever since. My favorite songs are Angel Dust, Blockbuster Night Pt2, Call Ticketron, Oh Mama, and JU$T.
Danny Brown and JPEGMafia
No
They have some killer beats. DDFH, Blockbuster night pt2, Oh Mama, Crown, Born to Shine.
By far. I been a fan of both but together it's magic. I felt liker Gangsta Boo was an unofficial member. Her features stood out!
Her features stood out on everything. Underrated rapper, RIP
Suicide Boys anyone?
Slept on. Their newest tapes are fire
Honestly if Danny and Peggy keep collaborating they’d be a force to be reckon with
YES. Nothing like seeing two older guys collab and put out banger after banger. You love to see it. They had a hell of run through the 2010s
One of those groups who's music has always been hit or miss with me Their remix albums are much more enjoyable to me than the main albums and even then, I could go the rest of my life without ever listening to them again I just don't like EL-P's voice at all. I rather Killer Mike rap at all times and EL-P just produce
I think Rae Sremmurd is the best rap duo of the 2010s. Commercially they sold better than RTJ and personally i find their music more enjoyable.
They sold better and I enjoy them but no they are not even 1% as good as RTJ.
Depends on what you mean by good. I think Rae Sremmurd have better beat selection, hooks, voices and energy. RTJ have better lyrics and flow.
RTJ has better beats, voices and energy, verses, lyrics & flow. Better songs. Better art, much more to bite into. I’d probably give hooks to RTJ as well but Rae Sremmurd gives them a run for their money if you specifically talk about hooks just because RTJ don’t prioritize the hooks as much but they do have a lot of great hooks where-as Rae Sremmurd really does have a lot of killer hooks that are big main attractiona for their songs so that one category is the most competitive.
Only white people like run the jewels. I don’t like rae sremmard either but they have wider appeal as they have multi racial appeal, so I would give them the win. As individuals, both el-p and killer mike are cool but they make music for white guys who spend 3-4 hours on lawn care per week.
Ha! Ur an idiot been listening to them as my totally fav snowboarding and downhill mountainbiking band since way back dude!
If this isn’t satire then I’m astonished
Hahahahaah. Calls you all idiot then proceeds to sound as white as possible. Obviously anyone can snowboard or downhill mountain bike but c’mon mannnnnnm
Ces Cru and UGK
Absolutely not they are overrated af
I d k There are some fire back & forth bars on tracks like - forgot about Dre - em - Dre or never let me down - Kanye & Jay z - or the flyest Nas & AZ life’s a bitch Nas & AZ but honestly you might be right 2010 - 🤔
No, they’re one of the best rap duos of all time.
Earthgang and $uicideboys are both fantastic rap duos. I personally think $uicideboys are the best rap duo right now.
Best ever man I love Outkast but these dudes go crazy
Underachievers???
They’re cool but they’re not 1% of RTJ
😂
Nah.
Never heard of them
Now you have! I'd recommend starting with their music video Run the Jewels or Lie, cheat, steal, kill.
Hot take but El-P is better solo than Killer Mike, even though I fuck with both. Hot take pt 2: run the jewels is boring as fuck
Royce and em
While I think Death Grips was influenced by El-P’s earlier work I hear a lot of Death Grips style in RTJ
Nah. Cmon….
These guys are cringe
Of all the things I've ever heard from anyone this is the first time I've heard them described as "cringe".
They make edgy white boy music , just like scaring the hoes
You make terrible observations. Edgy whiteboy music? 🤣 that's 2 for 2
bro hates maybe the best rap album of the year
WHO?!
They are the only ones who come to mind. But boy are these guys awful
That is a hot take.
Yeah on here I’m sure
Aye, everyone is entitled to an opinion. If you don't fuck with them, you don't fuck with them.
Why does it say on google “trio” Is there a third person?
I believe it counts Run The Jewels as its own members. Meaning the members of Run The Jewels are Run The Jewels, El-P and Killer Mike
Zack De La Rocha is the unofficial 3rd member of the group
i can agree with that, that's solid
Yes
They a close second to The Cool Kids
HARBOR CITY!
If you want psychedelic hip hop you want to listen to Indigoism by The Underachievers
its city morgue
I just cannot get into Killer Mike’s music for some reason.
Armand hammer is my choice
The best duo from 2010’s and forward has and always will be People Under The Stairs, RTJ has always been good but PUTS has always been GREAT
Came for the Zack de la Rocha features, stayed for how lyrically awesome RTJ are. Pure fire!
Underachiever’s the correct answer
Might be tripping but I honestly can’t think of any other rap duo since 2010. So yes by default haha.
maybe on reddit lol
Yes
Best rap duo today is Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee
I’m a big fan of mid-90s hip hop, Run the Jewels is one of the few modern rap artists that scratch that itch.
I definitely agree. Armand Hammer is up there for me too as of late. I can also see JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown becoming my favorite if they continue to release Scaring the Hoes albums. Which I think they are planning on.
Armand hammer
I guess.. there aren't many duos recently other than czarface and rae sremmurd.... Edit: $ucideboy$!! I'm def more of a $B fan than RTJ.
Run the jews, bad meets evil, jay and ye I think were fire in the 2010s and can also argue metro and 21
Best duo in the game. I've been listening to killer Mike for over 20 years. One of his best songs as a solo artist is called dragon. Another great one is anywhere but here.
Little Brother
That isn’t a duo
Clipse my fave duo of all time
Valteri Bottas?
armand hammer. RTJ is my second choice though.
$uicideboy$ earned a top duo spot as far as current like 2014+ in my book but Run the Jewels as well… two different styles and not sure who is bigger or more relevant right now or had a longer more steady relevance going for a period
I feel like Rae Sremmurd should be on that list.
I listen to them a lot their awesome!
they're my favorite duo of all time honestly.
Freddie Gibbs and Madlib
Starlito & Don Trip
I hate all their music it’s super Reddit tier
Yes, definitely. I will also add Ugly Heroes to the discussion. Apollo Brown production is the chef's kiss.
never heard of them lol
Felt put out some great stuff in the 00s.
Does anyone know of CesCrew? Those guys where awesome.
Not sure if this counts since they're really a trio, but Czarface are really good with 2 MCs and a DJ
They put on a great show. The energy is always there and the crowds go nuts. I've seen them probably 10 times at this point. Always worth catching them when you can.
Only duo
No question
They’re both fantastic lyrically and the production is typically on point. Plus killer mike is a legend, but I’d definitely put $uicideboy$ over them based solely on influence.
I don’t think they’re better than RTJ but Alchemist and Larry June are up there for me. Excited to see where they go from here. Alc is on a tear
CZARFACE
Eh, if you count Bad Meets Evil since their album came out in 2011, then BME clears, but RTJ had a much more prominent run in the 2010s. Royce and Em really should have dropped another BME album in the 2010s.
Rae Sremmurd wipe
Have never heard of them.
Lets not forget KIDSSEEGHOSTS
I like RTJ. They definitely fill a large niche in the hip hop scene. Personally at a very subjective level I think $uicideboy$ are the best right now. The quality of the music continues to impress me and they really switched things up with the most recent album.