Run The Jewels has released a Night of the Living Dead-inspired music video for “Never Look Back”. The hip-hop supergroup comprised of Killer Mike and El-P originally featured the track on its most recent album, 2020’s RTJ4, and premiered this music video as part of the 2021 Adult Swim Festival.
Directed by The Road and The Proposition filmmaker John Hillcoat, the “Never Look Back” music video superimposes Killer Mike and El-P into clips from Night of the Living Dead, alongside the original, 1968 cast with Duane Jones, Judith O’Dea, and Karl Hardman. As in the original film, the two hip-hop stars find themselves surrounded by zombies in a rural town and make their way to an old farmhouse where they attempt to barricade themselves inside. By the end of the video, the zombies eventually break into the makeshift safehouse and overrun the rappers.
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The music video also features cameos from The Walking Dead actors Norman Reedus and Greg Nicotero. RTJ filmed “Never Look Back” in Killer Mike’s native Atlanta, the same location as The Walking Dead.
Run The Jewels has a long history with the Adult Swim Festival. After headlining the inaugural event back in 2018, Killer Mike and El-P then debuted their Cyberpunk 2077-inspired music video for “No Save Point” at the festival in 2020. This year’s event also featured virtual performances from Lil Baby, Karol G, 21 Savage, Flying Lotus, and more.
Below, check out the new Night of the Living Dead-inspired video of “Never Look Back” from Run The Jewels.
In early 2022, the group will head out on the long-awaited Public Service Announcement tour with Rage Against The Machine, after years of delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Head here for tickets and a full list of tour dates.
Run The Jewels – “Never Look Back” (Official Music Video)
[H/TÂ Rolling Stone]