(AllHipHop News) This decade has seen the idea of the “free album” become a regular item.
With the growth of streaming, artists are still learning to present their work in various ways.
Run The Jewels have decided to release Run The Jewels 3 as a free download, but fans can also purchase the project or stream it.
El-P addressed the group’s rollout process with his Twitter followers.
In response to an iTunes commenter suggesting others should not waste their money buying RTJ3, El-P tweeted, “I know we give it away for free but there really is no reason to feel compelled to command that people not support us if they want to.”
The emcee/producer later added, “That said you’ll never hear me complain that you didn’t buy our sh-t its yours to have. if you want to support then. thats the RTJ way.”
Fellow Run The Jewels member Killer Mike also spoke about the duo’s practice of releasing free music.
“Why pretend like this is the f-cking Puffy era and you’re gonna sell a million and shine on n-ggas? Get the f-ck out of here,” said Mike in May. “The truth of it all is if kids really love your stuff, they’re going to find a way to support it.”
Run The Jewels 3 is available free download at runthejewels.com or for purchase on iTunes.
I know we give it away for free but there really is no reason to feel compelled to command that people not support us if they want to : / pic.twitter.com/CQcFO5hXTf
— el-p (@therealelp) December 26, 2016
.@theironschenk yes we get any money you spend on official releases through all mediums and we thank you BIGLY if you choose to do that.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 26, 2016
just trying to figure out what the dudes life is who feels that he has to protect people from buying our albums like he caught the loophole.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 26, 2016
like HEY GUYS I CRACKED THE CODE THESE GUYS F##### UP AND GAVE IT TO US FOR FREE DONT PAY FOR IT
— el-p (@therealelp) December 26, 2016
.@blastronimus where ever it can be streamed or bought we get whatever profit there is to get, varying as it is from service to service.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 26, 2016
that said you’ll never hear me complain that you didn’t buy our s### its yours to have. if you want to support then ?. thats the RTJ way.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 26, 2016
of course we damn sure do love it when you buy our s### don’t get it twisted.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 26, 2016
.@bjshively do what feel’s right, young Jedi.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 26, 2016
.@JustinSharpley we run our s###. we get the biggest possible cut from every vendor. that said: https://t.co/I0QAQeSgQ5
— el-p (@therealelp) December 26, 2016
.@greg_mikol @bjshively we are the label. we are the artist. its easy. buy it somewhere, we will get paid. and thanks.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 26, 2016
to those who have asked: yes we will drop the OG version of panther like a panther at some point for fun.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 27, 2016