El-P

Jaime “El-P” Meline is a rapper, producer, and entrepreneur who has helped to define the sound and aesthetic of underground hip-hop, starting in the mid-1990’s.

Meline’s early work, with the group Company Flow, gave listeners an idea of his style – both music and lyrics were dense, aggressive, and science-fiction laced. He would refine his style on his two critically acclaimed solo albums, Fantastic Damage and I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead, as well as a number of instrumental only outings and collaborations. He also founded the influential (and now sadly defunct) record label Def Jux, which put out now-classic releases from Cannibal Ox, Aesop Rock, and more.

Meline has as of 2011 signed to Fat Possum Records. In 2012 El-P produced and released his third album, Cancer 4 Cure, and in the same year, he produced Killer Mike’s album, R.A.P. Music. Both albums were “universally” acclaimed, with many critics praising El-P for his production style.

As of 2013, El-P and Killer Mike have been collaborating under the name, Run the Jewels. The duo has released three successful albums.