!["When we met, we had both individually decided we were going to go for ours," says El-P. "When we met, we had both individually decided we were going to go for ours," says El-P.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/dentonfracking/20141113184540im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2014/11/10/runthejewels1_by-timothy-saccenti_wide-f73669a1aad57b992fc52f53c3500d36c4626e2c-s1000-c15.jpg)
El-P (Jaime Meline) and Killer Mike (Michael Render) are Run the Jewels.Timothy Saccenti /Courtesy of Biz 3 Publicity hide caption
Mannie Fresh behind the decks at NPR's Washington, D.C. headquarters.Becky Harlan for NPRhide caption
Two dope boys on a Cadillac: Andre 3000 and Big Boi in the early days.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Imageshide caption
Pusha T performs live at NPR Music's showcase at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City on Wednesday, Oct. 16.Loren Wohl for NPRhide caption
El-P (Jaime Meline) and Killer Mike (Michael Render) are Run the Jewels. Timothy Saccenti /Courtesy of Biz 3 Publicity hide caption
Dante Ross at an Anthony Hamilton performance in New York City in 2006. Ray Tamarra/Getty Images hide caption
T.I. at NPR's New York City bureau. Polina Yamshchikov for NPR hide caption
Andre Benjamin during a Q&A at The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles following a screening of Jimi: All Is By My Side last weekend. Justin Baker/WireImage hide caption
Joell Ortiz at a DJ Booth cypher in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, in September. Polina Yamshchikov for NPR hide caption
The Notorious B.I.G. performing at the Meadowlands in New Jersey in 1995. David Corio/Redferns hide caption
Souls of Mischief are, from left to right, A-Plus, Tajai, Opio and Phesto. Courtesy of Audible Treats hide caption
AK (left) and Issa of The Underachievers onstage at SXSW in 2013. Sean Mathis/Getty Images for SXSW) hide caption
Cormega. Vshootz/Courtesy of Jerry Graham Publicity hide caption
Ab-Soul. Courtesy of Top Dawg Entertainment hide caption
Mannie Fresh behind the decks at NPR's Washington, D.C. headquarters. Becky Harlan for NPR hide caption
Isaiah Rashad, Chance the Rapper and Kevin Gates in a cypher. Courtesy of XXL hide caption
Freddie Gibbs. Peter Beste/Courtesy of We Get Press hide caption
Nas in 1994. Danny Clinch/Courtesy of Press Here hide caption
ScHoolboy Q onstage at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City two days before his major label debut dropped. Polina Yamshchikov for NPR hide caption
Danny Brown. Sara Kerens/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Starlito (left) and Don Trip, in their video for "Caesar & Brutus." Courtesy of the artists hide caption