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Run-D.M.C.

Run-D.M.C.

1984

Buy At Rough Trade
Run-D.M.C.
Album Summary

Run-D.M.C. is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Run-D.M.C., released on March 27, 1984, by Profile Records. The album was produced by Russell Simmons and Larry Smith. It was considered groundbreaking for its time, presenting a tougher, more hardcore form of hip-hop. The album's sparse beats and aggressive rhymes were in sharp contrast with the light sound that was popular in hip hop at the time. Run-D.M.C. peaked at number 53 on the Billboard 200, and number 14 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. The album became the first rap album which was certified as Gold by the RIAA (December 17, 1984). The album features five the Billboard singles: "It's Like That", "Hard Times", "Rock Box", "30 Days" and "Hollis Crew". The first single from this album, "It's Like That", released on August 10, 1983, opened a new page in the history of hip-hop with a tone of social protest (unemployment, inflation). "It's Like That" is judged by many to be the first hardcore rap song, and the first new school hip-hop recording. "Sucker M.C.'s" is one of the first diss tracks, and "Rock Box" is the first song in the rap rock genre.With Run-D.M.C., Run-D.M.C. came to be regarded by music critics as pioneering the movement of new school hip hop of the mid-1980s. In 1989, the album was ranked number 51 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Albums of the 1980s. In 2003, the album was ranked number 240 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, with the ranking changing to numbers 242 and 378 in the 2012 and 2020 updates of the list, respectively. The album was reissued by Arista Records in 1999 and 2003. An expanded and remastered edition was released in 2005 and contained 4 previously unreleased songs.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.14

Votes

10241
Genres
Hip Hop

Reviews

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Sat Dec 11 2021
2

My name is Greg and I'm here to say / Run DMC's rhymes sound old and dated However important and influential it may be, this era in rap just sounds incredibly simplistic to my modern ears. "They walked so others could run", but they still walked. I'm glad I heard it once, but I'm not coming back to it.

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Fri Dec 10 2021
2

Dang. This one kind of washed over me and I quickly grew tired of the you-say-one-word-then-I'll-say-the-next-word style that I 100% loved when I was a kid and sooo many rappers imitated. But it may also be that Raising Hell is simply a way better album than this; don't know, haven't listened to that in forever either. Regardless, respect to the legacy. Respect to the track suits.

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Wed Oct 27 2021
5

Legendary. This is the album that started it all. When DMC broke big with this album, they threw the doors wide open for hip hop to step onto the main stage of American (and world) music. If, to the modern listener, it seems a bit hokey in delivery, it's worth remembering that this was a genre in its extreme nascency and it was still trying to figure out what it was supposed to sound like. So it borrowed from rock, techno, and R&B and then added that unique NYC hiphop flavor. The end result is a groundbreaking work stuffed full of powerful messaging, clever lyrics, and unapologetically fun beats.

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Tue Sep 27 2022
1

Hip hop was a mistake. I can’t believe it got MORE popular after this boring album came out

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Wed Sep 28 2022
4

I really enjoyed this but I'll be the first to admit that it is probably mostly nostalgia talking. The songs all sound basically the same and the beats, while unique, are pretty simplistic. I'd throw the whole album on anytime though.

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Tue Oct 26 2021
4

There's no real way for a rap album from the mid-80s not to sound dated, very similar to the rock of the 50s. There were so many technological and methodological innovations in the years after this album that changed the sound of hip-hop forever. Despite being a time capsule, this album still has a lot going for it. The sparse 808-based samples work really well with the more aggressive lyrical style that Run-DMC brought to hip-hop. It's a nice compromise between the lighter rap style that was popular before this point and the ultra-violent content that existed during gangsta rap. I think of this album being a 4/5 mostly because of its importance as a turning point for hip-hop, but it still sounds good too, if not a bit limited by the sample set included in the 808 4/5

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Mon Sep 27 2021
5

Loving the rawness and simplicity of this album. Definitely had me dancing around the kitchen.

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Sun Feb 13 2022
4

Hip Hop it dont stop! This may have been ground breaking back in the day but I was more into Grand Master Flash or Afrika Bombaataa(Party People) then Public Enemy. I prefered the funkier sound of hip hop. I do think listening today this album comes across a bit dated obviously due to the technology available at the time. There is no doubt though that Jam Master Jay was a talented DJ and there is a few stand out tracks namely the singles Rock Box, Hard Time and of course Its Like That. Ground breaking but now in 2022 I dont think its timeless.

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Thu May 26 2022
4

Old school run. Doesn't have quite the same bite

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Sat Aug 13 2022
4

When I first started this generator over a year ago, one of the very albums I rolled was Raising Hell by Run-D.M.C. I had never gotten into hip hop before, so as a prep to that one, I listened to their debut, this one. Since that, I've dug very deep into the hip hop world, from Biggie to Wu-Tang to Jay-Z and Kanye. But the weird thing is: I hadn't revisited Run-D.M.C since that first foray despite giving Raising Hell 5 stars as the perfect introduction to hip hop. (Hilariously sad I said in that review, "This a must-listen for sure and I'll keep going back to this one." Oh well.) Not just a perfect intro to me, but for the whole world. But this one is arguably more influential, being the first hip hop album with a more serious tone, a consistent vibe that people can say "wow, this is a hip hop album" on the same level as rock albums at the time. It's a fun and energetic album, with two excited MC's who can't help but divert your attention, joking with each other and finishing each other's sentences. It's an incredibly accessible album, with fun beats and a diverse style. "Hard Times" starts off with an intriguing hook to show their personality and what you're in store for. The production is immediately highlighted here. "Rock Box" pulls in pop and rock audiences with a hard, melodic sound easy to love. Isn't even their best rap rock song. Next two songs "Jam-Master Jay" and "Hollis Crew" are minimalistic, with punchy beats, highlighting their personalities and witty lyrics, with other cool production effects not necessarily relying on common old-school techniques. Personally my least favorite tracks though. The next track is where the album really picks up for me. "Sucker M.C.'s" is known as the first diss track, and has my favorite lyrics. Production-wise very similar to previous tracks and can be considered boring, but I love their performances here. But by far, "It's Like That" is the best track on the album, really loud and in-your-face with a progressive, serious message. Love the sense of urgency and call to action, and those snare drum solos gives us necessary space. I'm a huge fan of the production effects of "Wake Up", although it gets a bit tiring going on for so long. "30 Days" is a personal favorite, with an awesome sci-fi hook, funny verses, and the inviting line "YOU CAN SEND ME BACK IN 30 DAYS." Again drags on a little too long, but you notice this one less. Finally our closer "Jay's Game" is classic old school record scratching, a fun way to end things off but definitely overstays its welcome. Shouldn't have gone much over 2 minutes. Overall, I find this has many of the strengths of Raising Hell, and perhaps even more influential in establishing hip hop, but it's significantly weaker, especially on the production sound being too repetitive. Has lots of filler that could be dramatically cut short. I'd probably cut sick of playing this album more than a few times again, but I definitely need to play more of the highlights individually, and of course remind myself to put Raising Hell back in rotation.

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Fri Sep 16 2022
4

Iconic, but a little repetitive

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Wed Sep 28 2022
4

"I'm light-skinned, I live in Queens, and I love eatin' chicken and collard greens." Damn...

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Wed Oct 05 2022
4

Cheesey in certain spots, but it'd be difficult to deny this still goes surprisingly hard. The lyrics can be a little basic, but they get a pass for the amount of passion and energy put into them. Favorite tracks: "30 Days", "It's Like That", "Hard Times"

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Sat Oct 08 2022
4

Good, definitely, but I guess I just don't get why it's great? Very fun though "Calvin Klein's no friend of mine Don't want nobody's name on my behind" is amazing

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Sat Feb 11 2023
4

One of the most influential and prolific rap groups to come out of the 80s. Not my thing, but impossible to ignore.

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Sat Mar 11 2023
4

Kinda same-y but iconic and genre defining

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Wed Jul 26 2023
4

To modern ears this album will sound dated but it is because of this album and what Run-D.M.C. helped usher in that we feel that way.

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Fri Dec 10 2021
3

Listenable, with a couple of proper standouts - 'Rock Box' absolutely rips - but I'm too distracted by that nursery rhyme delivery particular to so much 1980s hip hop.

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Fri Jan 21 2022
3

The most important thing to consider whilst I listen to this, is whether it makes me want to eat a raw chicken carcass or not. I have to tell you, it not only makes me want to eat a raw chicken carcass, but it makes me want to eat a raw chicken carcass whilst smothering myself in bbq sauce and squealing like a pig. There isn't any higher praise.

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Mon Feb 14 2022
3

I found this album a little difficult to get through. I appreciate that it is an important album in pushing the popularity of hip hop into the mainstream but it seemed to lack style and the backing track seems pretty thin. There is not enough there to listen to with out getting tired by the half way point. My introduction to Run DMC was a few albums later when they teamed up with Aerosmith on Walk This Way which pushed Hip Hop further into the mainstream. They were no doubt critical to elevating the genre to the next level which makes this album essential but it hasn't aged well. 3 out of 5 for it's influence.

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Wed Feb 16 2022
3

Seminal but rap has come a long way since then.

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Wed Mar 09 2022
3

I actually missed listening to this album on the day it came up because I was at a conference where I got to see DMC talk about his rise to fame and the resulting mental health issues that he suffered. I'm glad I saw him speak before listening to this again. Hearing him talk about how this album came to be, what his life was like at the time, and how it changed him (and, arguably, music) forever really gives some context and credit to an album that could otherwise seem like a typical, cheesy, 80s rap album.

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Thu Mar 10 2022
3

Not sure how to rate as i understand this is an album that influenced the whole of rap, so its highly rated in that regard but as an album its self quite basic, im gonna rate based on how much id listen to it again sooo.

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Fri Apr 01 2022
3

For what it's worth I can see why this album would be influential to hip-hop and to a lesser degree rock/rap hybrids that were to come in the 90s. Half of the songs were enjoyable and fun while the the rest were annoying af. It's Like That, Hard Times and Rock Box were the best of the bunch.

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Mon Apr 11 2022
3

I mean it’s 1984, it’s raw, it’s audibly simple compared to modern rap, but it’s good.

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Fri Apr 22 2022
3

This album is so utterly peak 80s. It's not necessarily a bad thing - really kind of a testament to the record; being able to put this on and immediately be transported to middle school (wait...that's a terrible thing) The emergence of Run DMC was the first time a lot of suburban kids heard rap in the mainstream - there was a lot of predictable handwringing for various reasons (some you could guess) but it's just FUN music. "Rock Box" - fit right in with a lot of the early-mid 80s semi-cheesy-but-fun-for-its-own-sake rock music of the time. I like the retroactive simplicity of the beats and rapping - the interplay between Run and DMC is a huge plus. It's a fun listen and this is where so much of everything started - popular music would be completely different if Run DMC never existed. 7/10 3 stars

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Tue May 03 2022
3

1st May 2022 Listened on the drive back from camping with Joe and Adna. Chilled for the rest of the day. Thought I’d be all over this but felt a bit low key. Maybe I didn’t listen in the best of environments but felt like they had 1 backing track and rapped over it for half an hour.

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Mon May 23 2022
3

Absolute pioneers! These guys really were paramount in reshaping hip-hop, and infusing it with rock sounds, which is especially on display with the iconic track "Rock Box". I don't know the proper terms for these things, so I will just say that they make heavy use of the "call and response", "finish each other's sentences", and "you rap one word and then I rap one word" styles. The sparse rapping also gives ample opportunity for the fun beats to shine through. All are certainly products of the time, but enjoyable. This is fun and was truly groundbreaking, but it does understandably feel dated and basic by today's standards. Still, during this album's time, it's impossible to deny the effect and impact these guys had from this debut album.

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Fri May 27 2022
3

Sounds very dated now, but enjoyed this album. Hard Times is a classic, Rock Box signposts their later famous collaboration, and It's Like That is just great.

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Thu Jun 09 2022
3

This is pretty baseline Rap right? So like, I think the beats and Rhymes are super simple. But these were the dudes, who did it so everyone else could. So it gets points, there but It's still so dated it's kind of hilarious to listen to.

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Fri Jun 10 2022
3

Genre: East Coast Hip Hop 3/5 A true fossil of what would someday become the world's biggest genre of music, Run-D.M.C.'s self-titled debut album is one of hip-hop's earliest albums of note. Featuring a few hip-hop firsts, Rev Run and D.M.C. casually changed the face of the game in one fell swoop. Rock Box is considered to be the first fusion of rock and rap, and was the first rap song to be played on MTV, as its crossover appeal proved to be massive. It's Like That is also a track cited as a hip-hop firsts, this time being one of the genre's first true "hardcore" tracks, portraying a darker, less-mainstream take on the genre. However, as the tracklist progresses, the one big problem with this project is unfortunately how poorly it has aged. The beats and the bars sound corny and goofy as hell on a few of these. It's clearly primitive, and no one is expecting one of the first hip-hop classics to be perfect, but the overall unintentional silliness is too much to ignore. Overall, this is clearly an essential listen, but don't expect to hear polish. This is a rough draft that not only Run-D.M.C. would build upon, but an entire generation would build upon.

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Sat Jun 18 2022
3

extremely influential but also very outdated

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Sun Jul 10 2022
3

They went to the hat store and they bought themselves a hat. Just some nice boys having a good time. Weird to think that this scared White people. But it gets a bit repetitive.

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Wed Jul 27 2022
3

It doesn't get much closer to the roots of rap than this album. This crew was taking all of the tools of the trade (i.e. scratching, sampling, synthesizers, drum machines, a live DJ doing the mix, and multiple emcees) and putting it to full effect. All of this is something we take for granted at this point, but these guys were quite literally figuring it all out as they went. What really sets Run-D.M.C apart from rappers of that time and since is their collaborative style, of passing the lines back and forth, and chorusing each other. The coordination and memorization involved to do this without breaking the flow is truly mind-boggling to me.

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Thu Aug 11 2022
3

Fun, but old hi[-hop did not age well.

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Tue Aug 30 2022
3

A cool part of hip hop history, but saying that this hasn't aged the best is an understatement. The beats don't really hold up and some of the songs go on for way too long ("Wake Up" is the biggest offender, god damn that one got very annoying very fast). It's still pretty fun though. Just two guys being dudes.

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Sun Sep 11 2022
3

Pioneers of the hip hop and rap genre, many artists owe them thanks for their contributions to music. I really liked the positive/uplifting message and subject matter of the lyrics. While the raps are a bit cheesy here and there, they are still meaningful and done with skillful flow. I'm not a huge fan of the beats. I'd listen to this album again.

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Sun Sep 18 2022
3

Moins bien que Booba je trouve

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Tue Sep 20 2022
3

Some great stuff on here. Obviously very dated though

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Tue Sep 20 2022
3

Generous 3... very dated and repetitive but still a decent listen

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Wed Sep 21 2022
3

I found this to be super dated, especially compared to "Raising Hell" There's nothing bad about it, but it's not great either. Some albums you listen to and you can't believe what time period they were made in. This one, there is no way it was made anytime other than when it was.

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Wed Sep 28 2022
3

This is a landmark album in hip hop with a lot of firsts for the genre. At times the album feels dated because of how far the genre has progressed since the release of this album.

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Wed Sep 28 2022
3

Track 1: Very nice synth horn hits accompanying the beats. Need that dolla every day of the week. Nice very early use of drum machines which is sick. Flow is pretty 1 dimensional but lyrics are great yelling that they are having hard times. Track 2: Oh dang, cool guitar intro on the beat over the drum machine. Beat is really cool and complex. Love the switch to each different rapper. Nice scratching. The guitar accompanied with the lyrics are the highlights. Song drags on a bit at the end. Track 3: Oh dang I love Me some scratching turnstilism. The samples are sick with the horns. Run DMC lovestory to jam master jay I love it. Great use of the scratching as an individual instrument to solo on. Love it! Track 4: Great fast clapping beat. Got rhymes so deaf sheesh. Good flow on this song and nice switches back and forth to each MC. Beat at the end gets a bit old. Track 5: I like the beat but the claps are a bit much. Nice kind-of disstrack to other sucker MC's? Flow is eh on this as well. Track 6: oh I love this dancey beat with the bright horns. It's like that and that's the way it is. Beat is a bit repetitive, and I wish there was more instrumentation or sampling instead of just drums at times. Call and response is nice on this. I like the soft finish. Track 7: cool deep voice sample, and I like the little glockenspiel sound. Nice and popping. Love the MLK-esque message and commentary. Comments on a utopian vision but this was just a dream and real life is not like this. Track 8: oh man I love the midi type keyboard and synths; Makes the song a bit funky and Dancey. Nice fade and reverb on the keys part. Ending is repetitive but really let's you feel the beat. Track 9: oh man I love the samples and the scratching on this. The turntables are sick. Great beats and way to switch it up to not keep it the same. Once again basically solos on the turntable. Overall the album is very solid and extremely influential. At times some of the beats were one dimensional and the rapping was meh. I think jam master jay really shined on this album and showed his talents as a different type of producer. Run DMC walked so wu-tang could sprint.

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Fri Oct 14 2022
3

It’s like listening to the toddler version of rap, walking slowly, a little awkwardly, but holding their own. I kinda like that the rapping is slow enough that I can actually understand what they’re saying. I also like the raging against the racist machine rather than against warring factions in the same genre and among the same oppressed group—fighting the right enemy. Rap has not really been my thing but 80s/early 90s rap is as close as I get to liking it.

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Tue Nov 01 2022
3

The way these dudes finish each other's sentences is adorable and demonstrates real chemistry. Reminds me of my grandparents. I give them 3 pairs of fresh Adidas kicks. 👟👟👟

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Wed Dec 14 2022
3

Another from Run. Like the other we got, this is obviously an important, foundational hip hop album. But it's old school to the point that I really don't get much enjoyment out of it. It's the building blocks of stuff I enjoy a lot more. I imagine people who hate old school hip hop hear all of it as stuff like this. I'm giving it a 3 out of respect, but I'm marking this as chopping block for the list too because I really don't think we need two Run-DMC albums, we get the gist in one. Same sort of rule should apply to the Beastie Boys. Favorite tracks: Rock Box, It's Like That. Album art: Two guys, brick wall, dope font. I like this cover a lot honestly. It's not much but it's strong. 3/5

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Tue Dec 20 2022
3

It be tricky... to rock and... to rhyme. Nice 80's rap start. Hard times, they like intertwining their lyrics between them lol. Hard times kinda sucks tbh. Rock-box is wayyy better kinda sick electric guitar. Jam was decent. Hollis crew is suppper bouncy 80's rap. Sucker's MC beat kinda stinky, but rap kinda good more relaxed. Dream was really good delivered in a slightly punishing way. Kinda punishing my ears now (2nd to last track). Ok that sound got old, light 3.

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Thu Jan 05 2023
3

It is the early stuff for sure, so it does get a slight pass, but it is quite corny at bits. The first does not always mean the best.

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Wed Feb 15 2023
3

A fun listen, and something of an artifact from the origins of hip-hop. More than a little quaint now, though.

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Mon Apr 17 2023
3

Album 16 of 1001 Run-D.M.C. - Run-D.M.C. Favorite Track : Hollis Crew (Krush-Groove 2) Rating : 3 / 5 I appreciate it for what it is and the impact it had at the time of it's release. I've never been big on hip hop or rap, so this is not my regular thing. The words here are more important than the beats. I'm a music guy. I don't usually worry about lyrics until I'm into a song. My favorite songs are not because of the lyrics. The beats aren't my type of music but I'll give it it's due. I did listen twice.

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Tue May 16 2023
3

i get why this album is here but holy is it boring

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Wed May 17 2023
3

I really want to like old school Hip Hop because it is socially conscious and ahead of it's time and experimental, but it kind fell flat on the music side for me.

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Thu Jun 29 2023
3

Liked this a bit better than Raising Hell, probably because it sounds more "electro" and closer to Sugarhill stuff. Funny to think this was "hardcore rap" once upon a time, quite dull overall from a modern perspective

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Fri Aug 25 2023
3

it hasnt aged great, but thats because hiphop has evolved to such a great level in the years since this released. but it is refreshing to listen to something so simple and somewhat effective. but if you use this album as a basis to write off all hiphop, i will personally go to your house and punch you in the face.

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Thu Jan 04 2024
3

No. 87/1001 Hard Times 4/5 Rock Box 4/5 Jam-Master Jay 3/5 Hollis Crew 3/5 Sucker M.C.'s 3/5 It's Like That 3/5 Wake Up 3/5 30 Days 2/5 Jay's Game 2/5 Average: 3,0 Sounds pretty dated nowadays. Still okay to listen to.

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Tue Jan 09 2024
3

I’m fucking old, so I remember when music like this was new, fresh and unlike anything people had really heard before. I’m sure if you were born after the 80’s and only knew hip-hop as an already established, immensely popular genre of popular music, you might not find this interesting or important or good. To me, this record is all of those things, but it might just be because I’m old.

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Thu Jan 06 2022
2

Used to listen to this album everyday on the ride to school. Sounds very dated now. Speak-singing, drum machines, and it was ground breaking at the time, but didn’t hold my interest.

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Fri Jan 28 2022
2

This one required a lot of focus on time and space. Without the context of what the hip hop scene looked like in 1984 it is very very hard to listen to. The finishing each others sentence bit was cute the first five times but fuck it got old very quickly. How was a song about a 30 day return policy considered hard core hip hop?

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Fri Feb 04 2022
2

Influential in fashion, music style, and attitude in the 80's. Unfortunately, pass a little nostalgia and a trip down memory lane, the music doesn't hold up. Another record I don't 100% agree with being on this list. I guess better then the FAT BOYS representing the rap portion of this era.

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Fri May 20 2022
2

I get it was important in the evolution of hip hop, but really dated and not great by today's standards

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Mon Jun 27 2022
2

It feels very raw (in a good way), but I don't think the lyrics or beats are actually very good. This seems like one of those albums that is notable because it was one of the first to use a certain style/genre. But I don't think being historically significant warrants a high rating - Not sure this one stands the test of time.

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Fri Jul 22 2022
2

Not for me. This is one of those albums that is trailblazing and influenced loads of other groups, but it's just not that interesting in the context of knowing what comes after it. It sounds so dated, both the style and the lyrics. Rock Box the best of a bang average bunch, 2/5.

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Fri Jul 22 2022
2

A lot of their lyrical style has always been quite jarring to me, changing rapper mid-line, all of that, though I get their importance in ushering in a new style at the time it was released, and the beats are decent. Rock Box is brilliant too.

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Tue Jul 26 2022
2

I’m sure this was revolutionary but this wasn’t for me. Kinda felt like when you play an old video game after being used to the graphics now. Favorite part was the guitar on rock box

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Wed Aug 10 2022
2

As important as this album is for hip-hop as a whole, it unfortunately hasn’t aged favourably. The sparse production leaves more to be desired and the slow pace of the back-and-forths between Run and D.M.C. just end up sounding silly and outdated. Not hating btw

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Tue Aug 16 2022
2

Respect to the pioneers. That said, it sounds a bit repetitive to 2022 ears. It’s definitely a classic and you can hear how the influence permeates the genre. Plus, the drum machines are fantastic.

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Tue Aug 16 2022
2

Revolutionary, sure, moving the early rap scene away from its disco block-party roots and morphing it into something tougher, with more emphasis on social commentary, and complete with stripped down, hard as nails production that laid the template for gangsta rap and beyond. Unfortunately, the album sounds prehistoric by todays rap/hip-hop standards, making it hard to listen to and be engaged by for long stretches.

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Thu Sep 15 2022
2

A little disappointing, very lo-fi which isn't necessarily bad but at times basically unlistenable. The rhythm if the rap is really samey, throbbing, predictable but I'm listening in retrospect. Run DMC are really influential but actually not so interesting imo - much prefer NWA, public enemy, last poets etc as like forefathers of hip-hop rap. Probs won't listen again.

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Sat Sep 17 2022
2

Really don’t get this. I know they were trailblazers but this doesn’t hold up a torch to the proceeding hip hop. The rhymes are like the raps you made up in the school yard!

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Wed Sep 21 2022
2

“Timeless!” is not how I would describe this record. It was new and interesting at the time, but damn, this did not age well. Maybe if there was live break dancing…

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Wed Sep 28 2022
2

No one can deny Run DMC's influence on rap. However this album sounds very dated amd isnt my favorite to come out of that era. Beats seem underwhelming and lyrice dont do it for me. Highlights are Its like that and rock box.

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Fri Oct 14 2022
2

Though I couldn't find any hood ornaments to wear around my neck, I still I put on my Shells and dug up my Kangol to listen to this album. ... and wow. I mean, uhhhh wow... Yeah, I was super excited to listen to this but then I realized that this is the one BEFORE the good one. Regardless, it provided a good reference point from how far they evolved from this album to Raising Hell in the span of 2 years. Hard Times and It's Like That are familiar jams, but this is almost comical to listen to now. One important observation to note about this... that It's rare to find someone in your life who'll finish your sentences for you. So glad these three found each other.

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Fri Oct 28 2022
2

Really influential but just sounds so dated now

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Sat Nov 05 2022
2

Hard times- quite a simple song with simple rhymes Rock box- Some nice fusion kinda sounds with electric guitar 👍 Jam master Jay- love the hype for the producer👍 Hollis Crew-another pretty simple straightforward brag track Sucker MCs- fun song with simple but effective backing beat👍 Its like that- song seems to plod a bit for me, just not strong enough combination of lyrics/beat for me Wake up- this is the beginning of a good idea, could be elevated more👍 Again, I am taking this album out of context as the fundamental and influential trailblazer that it is, but we can really see this is laying the foundations and what has been built up out of it is much better overall. 2/5

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Mon Dec 19 2022
2

Was excited that this popped up in the queue since I have a developing interest in rap/hip hop and I understand RUN-DMC's importance as a seminal artist in all that followed...and I'd never actually listened to one of their albums... But geez, it seems so simplistic, repetitive and dated! For me, that was the true surprise. I appreciate they laid a groundwork for a new genre, and for that reason I'm glad I listened....but really not much to listen to by today's standards. Out of respect for it's role in pioneering a genre, I'll give this a 2 instead of a 1. I really wanted (and expected) to like it. Not to be. But thanks for the history lesson.

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Fri Jan 06 2023
2

I adored Grand Master Flash when I was a kid. Yes, the rhymes were either silly or, in the case of The Message, interesting-but-basic, but their music was (and still is) awesome. They knew how to keep things interesting and fresh. When RUN-DMC hit the scene, my first impression was that they were boring. The lyrics and flow were as basic as could be and so was the music (or lack thereof). But to my surprise, these guys were hugely influential, and hip-hop followed their blueprint for the next several years. So I tuned out of the genre. Too bad for me, because I missed a lot of great music when it was happening. Now that I've rediscovered the genre, it's been fun going back to the hear all the artists I missed the first time around, but to me RUN-DMC still sound kind of boring and basic. At least their message (whatever there is beyond the boasting and dissing) is positive. None of the misogyny, homophobia, or gangsta crap that would pervade the genre. And props to them for being so influential.

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Tue Jan 24 2023
2

I'd like to think I like Run-D.M.C, but considering many of their songs I have are from later albums, so I was cautiously excited for this album. Sadly, a good chunk of this album is a little hollow sounding, with lots of empty space and the flow of the rapping often being choppy. Obviously that's because it was very early in the genre, and I respect it heavily for that, but albums only a couple of years later in the genre don't have that issue. There are a couple songs without this issue, such as Rock Box, but then the other issue is the length, with most of the songs opting for an instrumental for long periods of time, or just ending when it should. This is close to something that's good, but the cheesy lyrics on top of all of that makes it something I'm not crazy about.

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Tue Feb 07 2023
2

Run-D.M.C. is the debut album by American hip hop group Run-D.M.C.. It was groundbreaking at release for presenting a tougher form of hip-hop/rap, and as a result, this album pioneered the "new school hip hop" (considered "old school" today) of the mid to late 1980's. Although this album may have started it all when it comes to hip-hop/rap's golden age, I thought the barebones drum machine and record scratches left the actual musical part's feeling empty. It's not today's type of music I'm used to in this genre and it's definitely showing its age. Out of respect for the OG I can't rate it too low, but I won't listen to this album again. Please leave this version of hip-hop/rap where it belongs in the 80's.

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Sun Feb 19 2023
2

One of the most important albums of modern music. It’s hard to be honest without sounding pompous, but this music is unlikely to amaze today’s listeners, myself included (b. 1994). Yet the sparse, electro beats and outdated drum machines paved the way for hip hop to explode into the mainstream just a few years later. Amazing how the style evolved so quickly.

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Sat Mar 18 2023
2

Lyrically, a bit of a parody these days but a clearly influential record at the time and had a huge impact on the genre especially mixing rock music and guitars with rap/hip-hop.

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Wed Mar 22 2023
2

I found myself being pleasantly surprised by the lyrics (including on “Wake Up”), but I just can’t get behind the background music.

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Wed Mar 29 2023
2

It's so easy to see how influential Run-D.M.C. was on hip-hop, but re-listening to their debut in 2023 is a little tougher than other groundbreaking records. 2.5/5

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Tue Apr 25 2023
2

a trailblazer but perhaps hasn't aged super well - feels kinda robotic, forced to my 2023 ears

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Fri May 05 2023
2

I get (and remember) the importance of the album at the time and the fact that this opened the doors for NWA, Wu-Tang, Tupac, etc. but the sound and songs haven't aged well.

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Wed May 17 2023
2

It's kind of mad that this was considered a big leap forward for hip-hop, because it sounds every bit as dated Grandmaster Flash's debut. Neither the rapping style nor the production have aged well at all (except maybe Rock Box). I don't want to downplay its historical importance or some of the worthy lyrical messages but it's hard to hear this now and not just think 'how quaint!' 2.5

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Thu Jul 13 2023
2

Started off ok then got very repetitive reminded me of the offspring.

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Mon Sep 27 2021
5

Love how sparse this is, and their interplay. Although rapping and rhymes have obviously progressed since this time, their delivery is so on point and their message is clear that it doesnt matter that the rhymes are basic. Loved it.

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Thu Nov 25 2021
5

I loved all of the sounds of this album. Drum machines and heavy guitar sounded great and really could see the beastie boy influences.

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Wed Dec 01 2021
5

Anything that was featured in Vice City largely contributed to my unstoppable love with 80’s music, especially origins of the hip hop. “It’s like that” and “rock box” wow!!!

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Fri Dec 31 2021
5

EPIC! I never realised the message in these tracks although I always really enjoyed them for the entertainment value with the retro beats and rap style. I have a new-found appreciation for It's Like That and Wake Up - what a TUNE.

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Sat Feb 26 2022
5

Probably the only rap/hip-hop album that I ever enjoyed. Some songs are fun and lighthearted (but still have well-written texts that you can follow), while some are more serious, providing comments on problems in the modern world. But even then, the lyrics aren't too sad or heavy. The beats are also good, and the occasional bits of rock melodies are a nice touch. And overall, the artists come across as fun, likable guys, a connection that isn't easy to establish through music.

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Mon Mar 07 2022
5

A classic album, and you can still hear its influence in a lot of current music. Don’t know what else to say about this really - love it.

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Tue Mar 22 2022
5

KILLER album. Insanely influential on hip-hop as a genre and it's just full of jams. I love the minimalist beats.

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Fri Jun 10 2022
5

A really fun album. It changed the entire hip hop game. The rhymes seem simplistic by today's standards but that doesn't take from the album. The album does not have some of Run DMC's mega hits but it is still a good album. I would listen to it again.

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Tue Jul 26 2022
5

This album is great. I remember it well from when it came out and got popular. I had not heard much rap/hip hop at that age (early/mid teen years) and I liked how different it was from most music with which I was familiar. Love how 'Rock Box' showed the world that rock and rap have a lot more in common than most had thought. Pretty clear the door it opened for so much that followed.

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