killer mike was first introduced to el-p by cartoon network executive jason demarco in 2011. el-p produced mike's 2012 album "r.a.p. music", which was soon followed by mike's appearance on the track "tougher colder killer" from el-p's 2012 album "cancer 4 cure". when "r.a.p. music" and "cancer 4 cure" were released within weeks of each other, the two rappers decided to tour together. the success of the tour eventually led to the decision to form the supergroup run the jewels. the duo took their name from the lyrics of an ll cool j song.