Run The Jewels - “Early” (Feat. Boots) Video

Killer Mike’s heartfelt, terrified opening verse from Run The Jewels’ police-brutality freakout “Early” might be the single greatest moment on last year’s RTJ2, and album full of great moments. Alongside hooksinger and Beyoncé collaborator Boots, the duo performed the song on Letterman shortly after the album’s release. And now the harsh, dystopic animated video for “Early” feels like it’s arriving right on time. The clip, from directors Bug & Sluzzy, recreates the narrative from that Mike verse, and it also shows stylized portraits of the anti-police brutality demonstrations that have been happening around the country for the past year. The lyrics flash on the screen, but this isn’t a lyric video; it’s something much more primal.