Run The Jewels has to be the only rap duo to ever be able to release a remix album named Meow The Jewels using cat sounds and have their fans absolutely love it. Now, the group had shared a mini-"pawcumentary" that details the project's inspiration and success, along with some new store items.
In the clip, El-P says how the project started as a joke while he was bored and high on weed, sitting at his kitchen table, trying to come up with a "mass appeal package" for the new Run The Jewels 2 vinyl that was coming out. He priced the Meow The Jewels Remix Album item at $40,000 and fans responded with a Kickstarter campaign that reached the intended goal with 12 days to spare.
Killer Mike, who is often outspoken about race and politics, acknowledges that at least half or 75% of donations to make this project happen came from young "white America" and loner-stoner kids from the suburbs and he's super grateful for that, thanking them on behalf of "his community." He goes on to say how it "dispels" the mythology that there are "two teams" in America.
Lots of people, including Just Blaze, immediately got behind the project and helped to get it off of the ground, all the while the band kicking themselves in the heels forever coming up with the idea, but still happy to do it for charity. All of the profits have been donated to the families of Eric Garner and Mike Brown.
According to Stereogum, the duo have also unveiled a line of cat-themed merchandise, including a Meow The Jewels cat bowl for your furry feline friend. They are also selling a few t-shirts (including a "Run The Ghouls" Halloween t-shirt), a mousepad, as well as a track jacket.
