Run-DMC was a hip hop group. The group was founded in 1983 and originated in Hollis Queens, New York. Consisting of three members, Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell, the group is considered one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture and one of the most famous hip hop acts in the 1980s.
The group’s name is a combination of Simmons’ DJ name, DJ run and letters from McDaniels name. Run-DMC released their debut single, entitled “It’s Like That/Sucker MCs” after signing with Profile Records in late-1983. The single did relatively well and peaked at number 15 on the R&B charts. They would continue their success in their following releases.
Their debut album Run-D.M.C, which was released in 1984, was the first album by a hip hop group to achieve gold record status. “Rock Box” a track on the album was the first ever hip hop music video to be played on MTV and received heavy rotation on the channel. On top of this achievement the album introduced a new style and sound of rap that hadn’t been heard before and made old school hip hop seem outdated. Their following album, King of Rock, was released the following year and was certified platinum. It was the first album from a hip hop group to accomplish this. Their achievements did not stop there. Their album, Raising Hell, which was released in 1986, was not only the group’s best selling album but also one of the best-selling rap albums of all-time. To add to this achievement, the album was also certified double-platinum.
One of Run-DMC’s most popular singles was one entitled “Walk This Way” which was a cover of the hard rock song by Aerosmith. At the time Aerosmith had lost most of its popularity and Run-DMC was not widely known outside of the hip hop community. The members of Aerosmith and Run-DMC collaborated to create a new single. The single was released in 1986 and was an immediate success. It reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is considered one of the biggest hits of the 80s. The single not only resurrected Aerosmith’s career but also cemented Run-DMC’s mainstream success.
Run-DMC did more than influence the musical style of hip hop. They also influenced the aesthetic and fashion of the genre. The previous style of old school rappers was flashy attire that emulated the rock and disco era, with items like tight leather pants, chest baring shirts, and gloves with rhinestones and spikes. Run-DMC discarded the flashy aspects of early hip hop opting for a “street” sense of style.
Overall Run-DMC was both influential in the 80s and in hip hop in general as the group catapulted “hip hop from an underground street sensation to a pop-culture phenomenon”.
Sources https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2013/04/run-d-m-cs-darryl-dmc-mcdaniels-reflects-on-80s-walk-this-way-cover
This is a really well-written and interesting post! Run-DMC was also the first hip-hop group to not only have a gold and platinum selling album, but a Grammy nomination as well. However, the group had to fight their way up and was willing to take risks towards success, which was a part of the message of their music video for King of Rock's title track music video. In the music video, the group trashed a Rock and Roll Museum as a way of showing that they were willing to use force to earn respect and be legitimized as a talented music group. As a result, Run-D.M.C. was able to not only recreate the look of the hip-hop genre, but allow it to break free from the negative stereotypes previously associated with it.
ReplyDeletehttps://rollingout.com/2009/04/16/there-is-none-higher-the-legacy-and-music-of-run-dmc/