Over the weekend, Run The Jewels’ Killer Mike caught some heat for appearing in an NRA-sponsored video about gun control and race, and now the full 42-minute interview has been published.
Many people called the rapper out on social media for the initial six-minute video, not so much for his views on race and its relationship to gun control, but rather for appearing in a video from which the NRA would profit. He also received backlash after he said that he told his daughter not to participate in the nationwide school walkout in support of gun control.
Killer Mike issued a response and a two-part apology after the video was published, saying that he didn’t know the video would be released in conjunction with the March For Our Lives protest and that he didn’t intend to come off as dismissive towards the recent gun control movement.
I hope this clears some stuff up. Love and Respect to all. Part 1 pic.twitter.com/pq977HEG7A
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) March 25, 2018
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) March 25, 2018
His Run The Jewels bandmate El-P also issued an extensive response to the controversy, saying that the duo are “our own men and we speak for ourselves individually.” El-P also extended his support to the March For Our Lives protesters. After distancing himself from Killer Mike on “vast and often hotly debated” issues, he said of Killer Mike, “I know a good person when i see one.”
2 things i need to say. pic.twitter.com/q8GrxQeWPs
— el-p (@therealelp) March 26, 2018
Yesterday, the full 42-minute video was unveiled and Killer Mike wrote in a tweet, “Bad news travels faster than facts but truth still worth a watch.” In the beginning of the video, Killer Mike quipped, “We’re here to make people mad.” He continued:
I look at the NRA as an effective lobbying group for my rights. If you don’t like the NRA, get a million black people to join. Go to the convention. Realize that this ain’t white people in hoods, just regular working class people like you that are probably going to be friendly and engage you. And then add your thoughts to the agenda.
In regards to forthcoming Run The Jewels material, El-P recently teased RTJ4 on Twitter when he wrote, “fithy [sic], dirty, dusty plans unfolding with @KillerMike #RTJ4.” The rap duo was also announced as this year’s Record Store Day ambassadors and they announced plans to release their second craft beer, the Panther Like a Panther Stout, which follows their 2017 craft beer debut: the hop-heavy Stay Gold IPA.
Run The Jewels released a video earlier this month for RTJ3 track “Oh Mama,” starring Rick and Morty, which you can revisit here.
Watch Killer Mike’s full NRA interview below.