RUNDMC

Ashburn

More than any other hip-hop group, Run-D.M.C. are responsible for the sound and style of the music. As the first hardcore rap outfit, the trio set the sound and style for the next decade of rap. With their spare beats and excursions into heavy metal samples, the trio were tougher and more menacing than their predecessors <a href="spotify:artist:1JfnADNz5yYEq3hrzlZHLk">Grandmaster Flash</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:4dBOV77d0Fy9KcTZkieXcu">Whodini</a>. In the process, they opened the door for both the politicized rap of <a href="spotify:artist:6Mo9PoU6svvhgEum7wh2Nd">Public Enemy</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:4toEjJSZu1rbfX2hfVdZFA">Boogie Down Productions</a>, as well as the hedonistic gangsta fantasies of <a href="spotify:artist:4EnEZVjo3w1cwcQYePccay">N.W.A.</a> At the same time, Run-D.M.C. helped move rap from a singles-oriented genre to an album-oriented one -- they were the first hip-hop artist to construct full-fledged albums, not just collections with two singles and a bunch of filler. By the end of the '80s, Run-D.M.C. had been overtaken by the groups they had spawned, but they continued to perform to a dedicated following well into the '90s.

All three members of Run-D.M.C. were natives of the middle-class New York borough Hollis, Queens. Run (born Joseph Simmons, November 14, 1964) was the brother of <a href="spotify:artist:7HXSDsfCgKWhoeWD31IdWw">Russell Simmons</a>, who formed the hip-hop management company Rush Productions in the early '80s; by the mid-'80s, <a href="spotify:artist:7HXSDsfCgKWhoeWD31IdWw">Russell</a> had formed the pioneering record label Def Jam with <a href="spotify:artist:1EpmQFTiJbcxzwbLpuUL8L">Rick Rubin</a>. <a href="spotify:artist:7HXSDsfCgKWhoeWD31IdWw">Russell</a> encouraged his brother Joey and his friend Darryl McDaniels (born May 31, 1964) to form a rap duo. The pair of friends did just that, adopting the names Run and D.M.C., respectively. After they graduated from high school in 1982, the pair enlisted their friend Jason Mizell (born January 21, 1965) to scratch turntables; Mizell adopted the stage name <a href="spotify:artist:0Y3Tob92UZ433hcWRUnKp9">Jam Master Jay</a>.

In 1983, Run-D.M.C. released their first single, "It's Like That"/"Sucker M.C.'s," on Profile Records. The single sounded like no other rap at the time -- it was spare, blunt, and skillful, with hard beats and powerful, literate, daring vocals, where Run and D.M.C.'s vocals overlapped, as they finished each other's lines. It was the first "new school" hip-hop recording. "It's Like That" became a Top 20 R&B hit, as did the group's second single, "Hard Times"/"Jam Master Jay." Two other hit R&B singles followed in early 1984 -- "Rock Box" and "30 Days" -- before the group's eponymous debut appeared.

By the time of their second album, 1985's King of Rock, Run-D.M.C. had become the most popular and influential rappers in America, already spawning a number of imitators. As the King of Rock title suggests, the group were breaking down the barriers between rock & roll and rap, rapping over heavy metal records and thick, dense drum loops. Besides releasing the King of Rock album and scoring the R&B hits "King of Rock," "You Talk Too Much," and "Can You Rock It Like This" in 1985, the group also appeared in the rap movie Krush Groove, which also featured <a href="spotify:artist:25TKXk9zo9yk0HMJQ3TuE9">Kurtis Blow</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:03r4iKL2g2442PT9n2UKsx">the Beastie Boys</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:3537Phr9t8GWkY2GtxDpnt">the Fat Boys</a>.

Run-D.M.C.'s fusion of rock and rap broke into the mainstream with their third album, 1986's Raising Hell. The album was preceded by the Top Ten R&B single "My Adidas," which set the stage for the group's biggest hit single, a cover of <a href="spotify:artist:7Ey4PD4MYsKc5I2dolUwbH">Aerosmith</a>'s "Walk This Way." Recorded with <a href="spotify:artist:7Ey4PD4MYsKc5I2dolUwbH">Aerosmith</a>'s <a href="spotify:artist:32zks9ovi0IExzUd1C7W6o">Steven Tyler</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:1SDxIHIJ3wvYiG22xckLKL">Joe Perry</a>, "Walk This Way" was the first hip-hop record to appeal to both rockers and rappers, as evidenced by its peak position of number four on the pop charts. In the wake of the success of "Walk This Way," Raising Hell became the first rap album to reach number one on the R&B charts, to chart in the pop Top Ten, and to go platinum, and Run-D.M.C. were the first rap act to received airplay on MTV -- they were the first rappers to cross over into the pop mainstream. Raising Hell also spawned the hit singles "You Be Illin'" and "It's Tricky."

Run-D.M.C. spent most of 1987 recording Tougher Than Leather, their follow-up to Raising Hell. Tougher Than Leather was accompanied by a movie of the same name. Starring Run-D.M.C., the film was an affectionate parody of '70s blaxploitation films. Although Run-D.M.C. had been at the height of their popularity when they were recording and filming Tougher Than Leather, by the time the project was released, the rap world had changed. Most of the hip-hop audience wanted to hear hardcore political rappers like <a href="spotify:artist:6Mo9PoU6svvhgEum7wh2Nd">Public Enemy</a>, not crossover artists like Run-D.M.C. Consequently, the film bombed and the album only went platinum, failing to spawn any significant hit singles.

Two years after Tougher Than Leather, Run-D.M.C. returned with Back From Hell, which became their first album not to go platinum. Following its release, both Run and D.M.C. suffered personal problems as McDaniels suffered a bout of alcoholism and Simmons was accused of rape. After McDaniels sobered up and the charges against Simmons were dismissed, both of the rappers became born-again Christians, touting their religious conversion on the 1993 album Down With the King. Featuring guest appearances and production assistance from artists as diverse as <a href="spotify:artist:6Mo9PoU6svvhgEum7wh2Nd">Public Enemy</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3zpKjsMg2gw1St5WcWoUJN">EPMD</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4Otx4bRLSfpah5kX8hdgDC">Naughty by Nature</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:09hVIj6vWgoCDtT03h8ZCa">A Tribe Called Quest</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3JxCEqL9zjKnDJgUhRuRJD">Neneh Cherry</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3BeQqzKdlARoOd6y30kCO2">Pete Rock</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:2gINJ8xw86xawPyGvx1bla">KRS-One</a>, Down With the King became the comeback Run-D.M.C. needed. The title track became a Top Ten R&B hit and the album went gold, peaking at number 21. Although they were no longer hip-hop innovators, the success of Down With the King proved that Run-D.M.C. were still respected pioneers. 

After a long studio hiatus, the trio returned in early 2000 with Crown Royal. The album did little to add to their ailing record sales, but the following promotional efforts saw them join <a href="spotify:artist:7Ey4PD4MYsKc5I2dolUwbH">Aerosmith</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:7dOBabd5O4CvKrg4iriHTM">Kid Rock</a> for a blockbuster performance on MTV. By 2002, the release of two greatest-hits albums prompted a tour with <a href="spotify:artist:7Ey4PD4MYsKc5I2dolUwbH">Aerosmith</a> that saw them travel the U.S., always performing "Walk This Way" to transition between their sets. Sadly, only weeks after the end of the tour, <a href="spotify:artist:0Y3Tob92UZ433hcWRUnKp9">Jam Master Jay</a> was senselessly murdered in a studio session in Queens. Only 37 years old, the news of his passing spread quick and hip-hop luminaries like <a href="spotify:artist:6futYSDVulYR2PktBjTB5W">Big Daddy Kane</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:34ABXKUj0gzq7R8vXjCaNj">Funkmaster Flex</a> took the time to pay tribute to him on New York radio stations. Possibly the most visible DJ in the history of hip-hop, his death was truly the end of an era and unfortunately perpetuated the cycle of violence that has haunted the genre since the late '80s. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

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Run–D.M.C.

RUN-DMC: Greatest Hits

The top &amp; essential tracks from one of the most influential groups in hip-hop culture, Queens natives, Run DMC. From Walk This Way, It’s Tricky, It’s Like That &amp; more. This playlist will have you putting on your 3 stripes and shell toes in no time!

Discover RUN-DMC's catalog gems! Featuring Wreck Shop, Ragtime, Papa Crazy...

RUN-DMC: Deep Cuts

RUN-DMC's complete music collection featuring tracks like Peter Piper, Walk This Way and the albums Raising Hell, Tougher Than Leather...

RUN-DMC: Complete Collection

From Hollis, Queens to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, RUN DMC blazed a trail of hip-hop excellence, busting through ceilings, breaking down doors and making history every step of the way. Joseph “RUN” Simmons, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell were the first rap group to earn gold and platinum awards from the RIAA, the first to be nominated for a Grammy Award and the first to grace the cover of Rolling Stone.

Run DMC

💯% RAP americano del bueno 🔝🎧🎶

Miss you all SO much. Miss Russel, Rick, Joseph, David &amp; the family - props 4ever xoxo T

Miss you all SO much. Miss Russel, Rick, Joseph, David & the family - props 4ever xoxo T

Video stopped at the worst possible moment! <br>“Who’s house?”

Video stopped at the worst possible moment! 
“Who’s house?”

Greetings from an original Krush Groove cast member! Love to Russell &amp; Joseph from T ❤

Greetings from an original Krush Groove cast member! Love to Russell & Joseph from T ❤

Back when young people laughed, loved and had lots of fun.  A beautiful time.

Still, it sounds good as it did way back when. Who house, RunDMC house 🏠

RUN DMC from day 1 made me love hip-hop ❤️

Number 1️⃣ and Two live Crew,NWA,Public Enemic  🗣️Yeahhhhhhh !!! 🤙🏻🙌🏻💯

YOU CAME TO LYTLE TODAY ON 11-27-23 AND IM THE ONE WHO GAVE YOU THE KOALA BEAR STUFFED ANIMAL

Y&#39;all I literally rapped this for Pat Golden when they casted for Krush Groove @ Area NYC. miss those days.. Xoxo to you all -  &amp; miss you all. xox T

Y'all I literally rapped this for Pat Golden when they casted for Krush Groove @ Area NYC. miss those days.. Xoxo to you all -  & miss you all. xox T

YEAH my boyz RUN DMC went to their 1985 concert on june 12th for my 20th birthday 🎊🎉 🥳 <br>All i can say theez men are incredible. RIP Jay 😭 ✝️🙏✝️☀️🕊️

YEAH my boyz RUN DMC went to their 1985 concert on june 12th for my 20th birthday 🎊🎉 🥳 
All i can say theez men are incredible. RIP Jay 😭 ✝️🙏✝️☀️🕊️

I still be bumpin this in my new whips! Lol

Isn&#39;t this true Dayton crazy things gonna get better

Isn't this true Dayton crazy things gonna get better

Run DMC: Deep Cuts

Run DMC: Best Of

"It's Tricky" by Run DMC
Listen to Run DMC: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/listenYD

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Lyrics:
It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky... it's Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky)
It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky... Tr-tr-tr-tricky (Tricky) Trrrrrrrrrrricky

#RunDMC #ItsTricky #OfficialHDVideo #Remastered

run dmc - it's tricky #FIFTYDEEP #hiphop50 #officialvideo #shorts

Official HD Video for "Run's House" by RUN DMC
Listen to Run DMC: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/listenYD

Subscribe to the official Run DMC YouTube channel: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/subscribeYD

Watch more Run DMC videos: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/listenYC/youtube

Follow Run DMC:
Facebook: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/follow_FI
Instagram: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/follow_II
Twitter: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/follow_TI
Website: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/follow_WI
Spotify: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/follow_SI
YouTube: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/subscribeYD

Chorus:
Now we rock the party and come correct
Our cuts are on time and rhymes connect
Got the right to vote and will elect
And other rappers can't stand us, but give us respect

#RunDMC #RunsHouse #TougherThanLeather #HDremastered

run dmc - run's house #FIFTYDEEP #hiphop50 #officialvideo #shorts

Watch the official music video for "Rock Box" by RUN DMC
Listen to Run DMC: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/listenYD

Subscribe to the official Run DMC YouTube channel: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/subscribeYD

Watch more Run DMC videos: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/listenYC/youtube

Follow Run DMC:
Facebook: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/follow_FI
Instagram: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/follow_II
Twitter: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/follow_TI
Website: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/follow_WI
Spotify: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/follow_SI
YouTube: https://RunDMC.lnk.to/subscribeYD

Chorus:
For all you sucker MC's perpetratin' a fraud
Your rhymes are cold wack and keep the crowd cold bored
You're the kind of guy that girl ignored
I'm drivin' a Caddy, you fixin' a Ford
My name is Joseph Simmons but my middle name's Ward
And when I'm rockin on the mic, you should all applaud
Because we're wheelin', dealin, we got a funny feelin'
We rock from the floor up the ceilin'
We groove it, you move it, it has been proven
We calm the savage beast because our music is soothin'
We create it, relate it, and often demonstrate it
We'll diss a sucker MC make the other suckers hate it
We're risin', suprisin', and often hypnotizin'
We always tell the truth and then we never slip no lies in
No curls, no braids peasy-head and still get paid
Jam Master cut the record up and down and cross-fade

#RunDMC #RockBox #OfficialVideo

RUNDMC

The Mixes

The Instrumentals Vol. 2

The Instrumentals Vol. 1

Live At Montreux 2001

Crown Royal (Expanded Edition)

Crown Royal

Down With The King

Back From Hell

Tougher Than Leather (Expanded Edition)

Tougher Than Leather

Storm Before The Calm (feat. DMC of Run-D.M.C.)

Christmas In Hollis (Sped + Slowed)

Christmas In Hollis (Instrumental)

King of Rock (Live at John F. Kennedy Stadium, 13th July 1985)

It's Tricky (SSX Pretty Lights Remix)

Hard Times

Down with the King EP

It's Tricky (And More)

You Be Illin' (Remix)

Walk This Way