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I was like, Its just not the time to do a live show.
That idea started to gain some traction and then Ben and Jerrys stepped to us.
We dropped this record and then it was like we Zoomed about it for five months.
Weve been dying to just get together and rap because thats what we do.
In terms of the band being together, it was amazing.
I got to be in the same room with my friends and actually got to rap.
Killer Mike: Oh man, it felt good to put the denim back on.
Once God said, Son, fuck your birthday.
The international day of getting stoned together is put on pause.
I was like, Aw man, this is it for us right now.
El-P: Thats it.
You crossed the line, universe!
Killer Mike: That was it, thats when I realized.
Ive definitely had, like everybody else, peaks and valleys throughout it.
I really make a run at keep that in mind.
Us saying, This is for people to pledge to vote, it really made sense.
You dont have to explain to anybody why theyre hurting right now.
Its not incredibly political to say vote.
If we do nothing else, lets do this.
Hes very politically minded.
He loves us to death.
Hes a great guy.
I didnt have any memory of this, but he told me that when we became friends.
Tip brought me in the studio today to jump on a record.
I jumped on some records with Big [Boi].
[Rae Sremmurds] Slim Jxmmi hit me up.
El sent me some beats.
Im going in the studio tonight to play them and see if I get inspired.
Im back in I just want to rap mode, so thats a yes for me.
I spoke to you guysback in 2014in the midst of the Ferguson protests.
How does what youve witnessed this year compare to what you saw back then?
Does it feel any different?El-P:I think its gotten worse.
It was there before that.
Me and Mike are tuned into that shit when we write.
This has penetrated more layers of society in terms of understanding.
I think that may be the difference.
Its one thing when you have a conversation with your homeboy who knows about this shit and understands it.
And thats tragic and hopeful.
I get it Ive been a working-class dad longer than Ive been a rapper.
We need people to be community minded.
Im just hoping for the best.
This dramatically changes lives.
Theres going to be a lot of money to be made using your hands.
Im also a business owner and I pay a lot of fucking taxes to the state.
Im just pushing where I can.
Im pushing personally for Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock right now in Georgia.
Those are organizations Im supporting on a local, regional, and national level.
El-P: Were obviously doing this nationally televised special to get our message out on a large level.
And when youre rocking our album, rolling down the street, thats fun, too.
We dont have an undue burden we do what we want to do.
We walk into this with our eyes open.
We understand what messages people are connecting to and the context in which its connecting.
Were okay with it.
Thats all we want to do.
As soon as the gates open, we cant wait to get in front of the crowds, man.
Until then were not going to put anybody at risk.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
