Run The Jewels capped off a very busy week with their network television debut, performing RTJ2 standout “Early” on Letterman with Boots, DJ Trackstar, and skeleton-faced backup singers in tow. It was as powerful as you’d expect, the rowdiest rap duo in the land turning down to detail some ugly experiences with corrupt police. “Early” is one of several songs on the album that seem to have been inspired by the events in Ferguson but were actually written before. Here’s what Killer Mike had to say about that in our recent Run The Jewels cover story:

This is news stories and media, and it’s a new thing for people. But I’ve been black for thirty-some years in America, and this was true when Richard Pryor joked about it. It was true when it was a joke on Good Times. It was true when it wasn’t something that was talked about on the goddamn Cosby show, and it’s true now. It’s just time for it to stop being true.

Watch the performance below. It ends with Mike and El-P doing the gun and fist hand gesture in the air, which is awesome.

Run The Jewels 2 is out now on Mass Appeal. It is our Album Of The Week, and you can download it for free here.