Rage Against The Machine frontman Zack de la Rocha has kept a low profile since a torn Achilles derailed the band’s reunion tour last year, which is why it was extra surprising to see him run out onstage with Run The Jewels last week. The concert at the Hollywood Palladium was one of four RTJ anniversary concerts celebrating ten years since El-P and Killer Mike‘s debut album, a run which also hosted surprise appearances by Jack Black and Tenacious D, Danny Brown, and others.
Zack de la Rocha, who El-P has called the “unofficial third member” of Run The Jewels, joined the group on night two for “Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)”. Zack originally appeared on the single taken from 2014’s Run The Jewels 2, and on Thursday came storming onto the stage to deliver his guest verse.
The significance of de la Rocha’s performance goes well beyond his 90 seconds onstage. As El-P joked when Zack walked off, “Don’t hurt your leg buddy,” referencing the injury that the singer suffered just two shows into the highly anticipated and perpetually rescheduled Rage Against The Machine reunion tour last year. Zack performed the overwhelming majority of the U.S. tour from a seated position, with the band ultimately canceling international and North American legs, per Zack’s doctor’s advice. The band has made no official announcements regarding rescheduled tour dates, and guitarist Tom Morello expressed in a contentious Rolling Stone interview that not even he—nor any of the band members—know when they will play next. All of that uncertainty aside, it’s good to see Zack de la Rocha back on his feet again.
RTJ had plenty of other friends and collaborators stop by throughout the run, one of four four-night engagements across the country celebrating ten years since Run The Jewels. On Friday, Danny Brown joined in on “Hey Kids (Bumaye)” and TV on the Radio‘s Tunde Adebimpe sat in on “Thieves! (Screamed the Ghost)”. Audiences who showed up early on Saturday were greeted by a surprise opening set by Tenacious D, with Jack Black introducing Run The Jewels with a cover of Queen‘s “We Are The Champions”.
Check out some videos from the Run The Jewels run at the Hollywood Palladium, featuring appearances by Zack de la Rocha, Jack Black, and more.
Run The Jewels w/ Zack de la Rocha – “Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck)” – 10/12/23
[Video: TJ]
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Jack Black – “We Are The Champions” (Queen) – 10/13/23
[Video: RunTheJewels]
Run The Jewels w/ Danny Brown – “Hey Kids (Bumaye) – 10/13/23
[Video: TJ]
Run The Jewels w/ Tunde Adepime – “Thieves! (Screamed The Ghost)” – 10/13/23
[Video: KBBL 512]
The post Run The Jewels Brings Out RATM’s Zack de la Rocha In L.A. [Videos] appeared first on L4LM.
