Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the Hip Hop history classroom. It has come to my attention that some of y’all don’t know where hip hop as we know it came from. So I’m here to drop some knowledge. Now, there will be some homework, but I promise this class will be the easiest A you’ve ever got (even if it is your first). I’ll be bringing you hip hop history lessons and all you’ll have to do is sit back and listen. And if you stick around long enough you might learn a thing or two. I hope to add some knowledge to your game and add some dope records to your playlists. Let’s get started.
On March 27th, 1984, the world was introduced to Run-D.M.C. They released their debut album Run-D.M.C. and never looked back. The group was an iconic trio; Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay), Darrly McDaniels (DMC), and Joseph Simmons (Rev Run). Run’s brother Russell helped Jam Master Jay with production and Run-D.M.C. handled the vocals. The Simmons’ brothers have gone on to have incredible business success after their music careers, but that’s a story for another time. Run-D.M.C. served as the coming out party for one of the most influential rap groups ever and would become the first album in the genre to go Gold and be nominated for a Grammy. The album had huge success with standout tracks like “Jam Master Jay”, “It’s Like That”, and “Sucker M.C.’s” to name a few.
This album paved the way for Run-D.M.C to take over the game and revolutionize the sound. Jam Master Jay was a true DJ and scratched up countless records to make his tracks but he also incorporated a lot of samples and instruments that were not common in rap at the time. Rev Run and D.M.C. also pushed the art of MC’ing forward. They still used the classic elements of delivery in a nursery-rhyme style at times but also adopted a quicker flow. They are undoubtedly at their best when they play catch with the beat, passing it back and forth with a quick tempo trading bar for bar. If you love the way today’s groups like Migos pass the beat around, then you owe it to Run-D.M.C.
Run-D.M.C. was also greatly influential to the hip hop culture. They were the coolest cats out of Queens all throughout the 80’s. They were always rocking the flyest track suits with fat gold chains and dope kicks. Their famous track “My Adidas” brought the sneaker and clothing brand to the masses. And their huge crossover track “Walk This Way” with Aerosmith broke down major walls and put hip hop on the pop radar for one of the first times.
If you’ve never heard of Run D.M.C. you’ve either been living under a rock, or I’m older than I thought. And even if it is my age, I’m gonna have to have a word with your parents. If you did already know about this great group I hope I refreshed your memory and helped you dust off some classic records. Now go wherever it is you go to get your music, find Run-D.M.C. and start from the beginning. I’ll get you started with a video below. You can thank me later. Make sure to check in for more lessons in hip hop history like this.
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