Reviews (page 4 of 8)
I was today years old when I figured out Run D.M.C are the names of each MC. Simpler times, good tracks
Enjoyable with a couple of stand out tracks. 4.5 rounded down
I really enjoyed this, and I don't do Hip Hop in general. The entire album communicates a great sense of humor and a positive worldview. It's also catchy enough to engage me even though I don't really like rap. My understanding of the history is that Run-D.M.C. created that punk-rap sound that makes Rock Box distinctive, although the idea was actually Rick Rubin's and they'd never heard the punk backing when they recorded their vocals. It clearly influenced the Beastie Boys, and led the way to their other guitar backed tracks, like their Walk This Way collaboration.
Classic.
The raw, heavy and powerful sounds of the simple drum machine arrangements and the very occasional synthesizer stab behind the very 80s MCing make for an austere but thrilling listen. I expect this must have sounded amazing in the 80s! "Rock Box" is a strange and jarring interruption in an otherwise outstanding album, without that track I would give the album 5 stars but it ruins it for me. The Jason Nevins remix of "It's Like That" came out when I was 11 and I remember it being my favorite song at the time 😂
what!!!! this album was FUN. i had a grand time listening to this album. there was never a dull moment. dmc and run going back and forth often kept me on my toes! they were so quick. the beats are, as the kids say, sick. i admire that, despite most of their tracks being fun, they use "wake up" as a powerful political song. run dmc were such pioneers with this hip hop album coming out in 1984. but then certain songs, such as "30 days," are of their time. i don't know the last time i heard the word "layaway." (but i loved that song anyway.) i enjoy the combination of rap and rock, too--the guitar is amazing on "rock box"! rip jam master jay. what a legacy he created!
Solid, better than the first album that was referred. A couple saved songs off this, this is a defined, classic sound.
What a great album, doesn't feel out of place. Lots of highlights on this album, hard to go past It's Like That, and Wake Up. I also like bopping along to Jays Game.
As I grow older I appreciate this work more and more.
Interesting beats that mix up every song. (Subverts expectations in stanzas) Emphasis on certain words for more impact, punchy. Throws words back and forth (Childlike whilst discussing heavy subject matter). Uses common social issues in ghettos and black neighbourhoods to relate to their audience, trying to punch a message. Wake Up is very layered, probably one of my favourites. Describes a utopia, then tells us it was all a dream. (On the nose.) Very unsubtle, but thats not a negative, just unappealing to me.
I didn't like it as much as some of the other East Coast stuff I've gotten on here, like Biggie and Tribe Called Quest, but I did still like it.
Well, that certainly was a rap album from the 80s
Simple and solid. Still kills.
True pioneers. A bit cheesy by today's standards, but this album is one of the first of it's kind for hip hop.
Run-DMC brought rap to the mainstream rock and pop market, thus to white people. They made hip-hop just white enough without losing its integrity. You can't go wrong with their debut album. (7/10) FT: It's Like That, Rock Box
Old school and cool. There are some dips here or there in how strong some of the songs have held up. For an album that launched hardcore rap, it feels less hard and more a reflection of working class struggles for black communities. It is defiant and doesn't hide the pain but it isn't brutal. Perhaps that is how it holds up so well... it's truth speak. (Unlike other later albums which are closer to ego-centric anger displays) And the mix still feel fresh.
I DM’d the C if you know what I mean. You can def tell how they basically created beastie boys
The beginnings
It's tricky not to rate this a 5, it's so close.
Classic! Jos tää jossain hävii modernille räpille niin se on käyttettyjen samplereiden maksimimuisti. Ei mikään muu. 4/5
Okei, oli aikanaan kovaa menoa (kiitos Elias tutkimukseksesta), mutta nyt on vaan hauska hiphop-levy. Saundit toisinaan vähän dänkkejä, mut hyvällä tavalla. Kuuntelin eilen kävelyllä ja sai kyllä asennetta askeleeseen. Kaiken kaikkiaan 4/5
a little corny but overall pretty good, 8/10
Very cool album. Simple but fun beats and really good lyricism/delivery. I think some of the songs drag on a little too long without much change in the tone of the song, but that's a minor complaint. 7/10
I found myself missing the guitar riffs a bit after the second track. Nevertheless, the MCs effortlessly demonstrate the reasons for their influence. The progression from drum machine beats, to bragging, tunes, props to the DJ: It's all innovative, all entertaining.
pretty groundbreaking for 83 and hard beats for the time. I think you just take run dmc for granted now and they are almost seen as a novelty but this proves they had steel. 4.
Hard beats and a boastful vocal delivery. You can see why RUN DMC were so irresistible to Aerosmith. It was fun recognising parts of this album that other artists have sampled. Half the tracks on Electro 1-6 seem to have been lifted from the album. Dave put the record, etc.
This really is an album that you should listen to. It's the earlier example of beat box that I can recall, and had a huge influence. Just really classic.
Lekker
Grymt album
A seminal record which helped launch the new school style, Run-D.M.C. features drum machines, more aggressive delivery (relatively), and emphasizes the DJ alongside the MC. With rock and funk tinges, this album is more coherent and intentional than a lot of old school records. The only drawback for me is just how dated it sounds
Oh, I don't know. SHACK'S reviews didn't last very long, did they? What would CRUTE score this? 3? I'll go somewhere around that then. RIP Meatloaf
The album that ripped hip-hop from its disco roots and set the template for its next 38 years. The album that proved full length LP album hip-hop could be a thing. The B-Boy style that reinvented urban fashion. And in Rock Box the song that quietly went about creating the rock/rap crossover format, got Run DMC played on MTV and had a large hand in hip-hop going mainstream. Got a lot to answer for haven't you Rock Box eh? As influential as it is, there's a bit too much filler in amongst the bangers to make it a 5. That said, an album containing Hard Times, Rock Box, Jam-Master Jay and It's Like That can't possibly get less than a 4, filler or no filler.
Normally I don't listen to old school hip-hop that much, but this was very enjoyable. Also very enjoyable that it included the hit ''It's Like That''.
Very beasties boye
I haven't listened to this album in about thirty years and forgot how raw and original it is. Jam Master Jay's sampling and cutting work with the by today's standards 'simple lines'. But this right here is one of the building blocks of rap. Long before the autotune. 4.5/5.
This was a banger, such a good sound. I love the addition of guitar sounds to the classic hip hop beats
One of the most recognizable voices in all of music.
IGHT
Obviously legends and trend setters, influential giants. What struck me was how simple and spare everything is, some of the tracks were just a straightforward beat and rapping over the top. I found it refreshing.
Love the drum machines on this. Despite being a big step towards "hardcore" rap their tone is largely positive. In this way it sounds very balanced and refreshing.
Surprisingly I actually kinda dig it. I haven't listened to this early of hip-hop much, but I like this minimalist/staccato/sparse presentation, definitely a fun little jaunt. Plus decently thoughtful lyric material. Dare I say this album is cute now?
Such an influential album and group. The skeletal production works well with Run and DMC's expressive style and signalled a change in hip hop at the time. Loved the dialogue between the two MCs too on tracks like It's Like That.
A lot of the tracks are not just old school but prehistoric rap. That said it still wins you over and about half the tracks are bangers.
it's like that and that's the way it is
game changer
This album is a little bit repetitive, but is impossible to think about any modern hip-hop and don't think about Run DMC, so, it deserves his place on this list.
At a time when hip hop was mostly about parties and fashion brands, here were Run-D.M.C, shaking up the template by dropping lyrics with social commentary and slamming the drum machine over rock sound samples. This was ground breaking for early hip hop and kicked the genre along, broadening the horizons. Hard Times, It’s Like That and Rock Box are stand out tracks.
Definitive mid-80s hip hop beats. Appreciate what it laid the foundation for more than I actually really dig the music.
Solid listen
3.8 - Somewhat sparse beats, but great delivery above them. Loved Rock Box. Can really hear the influence they had on later artists - especially in late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
El disc que ho va començar tot gairebé. Sense ser un fanàtic del génere, els pocs discos que van a arribar a editar com a banda em semblen una meravella, especialment el to i flow dels MCs, aquí tan brillants a 'It's Like That'... Encara millorarien, però aquí ja van estrenar-se a una altura molt alta
Funky
An welchen Straßenecken hat der Hip Hop zwischen 1984 und jetzt die falschen Abbiegungen genommen, dass wir nun diese Nigga-SuckMyDick-Mumble-Rapper haben?
Good start, great middle and a meh ending. 4/5
Great!
4 stars. Great to listen to an album that has inspired to much modern music. This is not something I would be itching to listen to again, but worth it at least once
Solid stuff - easy to see how they took the genre mainstream and became so influential. Fave track - love the guitar samples from "Rock Box". Also, gotta love the juxtaposition of the unsympathetic pragmatism of "It's Like That" followed by the dreamy idealism of "Wake Up"!
Holds up
doesnt understand
better than I expected, a trendsetter in its time.
The debut album of Run DMC is a hip hop classic. The music is basic and direct and the raps are to the point. This album has not aged a bit.
Cool to get to know their first album. Fine early hip hop. Won't relisten though, it's still a bit raw
A classic
Love the rock hip hop fusion from that time, solid album.
Stone cold classic
We all know that Run-D.M.C. didn't originate hip-hop music. But they did completely reinvent it. In the early 80s, hip-hop was all about the party, and that definitely wasn't the theme on the duo's quintessential debut. Adapting the hard rock attitude and edge with hip-hop, changed the way hip-hop was perceived for all time. Their style was raw, rough and tough, and hit much harder than anything that came before it. In comparison, they are a lot like The Beatles of hip-hop. If rap and rock were on a level playing field, Run-D.M.C. was arguably just as influential as The Beatles. The thing that could possibly date this record, is the production. It's very minimal, built on drum machines and Jam Master Jay's relentless scratching. Every once and awhile they throw in a guitar riff, or a keyboard hit, but overall, it's pretty skeletal. But that almost seems to be part of the strategy. The record was supposed to sound raw and stripped down, and the production reflects that nicely, retaining it's full-fledged impact. This was the first of many Run-D.M.C. records that Russell Simmons produced. He also went on to produce records for other artists, such as LL Cool J and Slick Rick. The music, lyrics, themes, delivery, and attitude on their debut marked a turning point for rap music. It's shocking at how good the track listing is for this debut. My favorites are "Hard Times," "Rock Box," "Sucker M.C.'s (Krush-Groove 1)," "It's Like That," and "30 Days". Run-D.M.C. have influenced countless acts to follow. Such as The Beastie Boys, Boogie Down Productions, Ice-T, LL Cool J, Eric B. & Rakim and many, many more. Rappers built on Run-D.M.C.'s style, just like rock bands built on The Beatles' style. This stunning debut may not be their most cohesive or popular album. But it's undoubtedly the most copied formula in rap and hip-hop. 4, as close as it gets to being a 5.
Not as good as some of their other stuff.
Seems like the template
I dont have anything to say that the top reviews dont already explains well. Id says there a few songs and idea I like but its too rudimentary. Thanks for the countless amouth of people youve influenced guys. Dated/5
Enjoyed
Back when you could make music by pressing the Demo button on your keyboard.
3.6
I'm sure I've never listened to this all the way through. It does seem like a prototype for a style that emerged. "Wake Up" might have been written yesterday — 40+ years on, it's still just a dream.
Catchy not for me.
Turning up only a few days after Raising Hell, Run DMC's debut feels less powerful and less coherent. I guess it's kind of a compilation of singles, which might explain it. Interesting, important, and ground-breaking, for sure, but doesn't have the power of their later stuff, 40-odd years on.
A massively influential album but it sounds very dated to me. I quite like the sparse vibe, I just think some of the production choices are a little cheesy. I’m not sure it’s something I would come back to, but it was interesting to listen to it and read about how important it was. Gets a bit samey by the end. Fav song: It’s Like That Least fav: Hollis Crew (Krush Groove 2)
You can feel that this is their first album. Still feels a bit janky the rapping, and doesn’t really flow that well. Quite a repetitive album also. Specific rating - 3.5 Fav song - it’s like that Least fav- 30 days
Feels a bit like a parody of a hip hop album, but I guess that shows just how influential it is: literally the blueprint for the genre. The sound did get very repetitive. Favourite song: Hard Times Least: Hollis Crew (Krush-Groove 2)
A really interesting record in terms of its legacy, it's clear it was made by talented people with original and fresh ideas. For that reason, I'm glad to have listened to it. That said, it's seriously dated and some of the tracks sounded almost identical. It's Like That still stands out, and it doesn't sound as awful as some older records do these days.
It's not that it's not good, it's just become such a template for rap that it sounds like a satire of itself.
The Hard Times drum mix is so good. The toms buzzing around in both of my ears was extremely satisfying to my brain. Other than that song though, this has definitely aged. Not in a bad way, just in a “there’s better music out there” way
Iconic and revolutionary, laying the groundwork for the new school of hip-hop over the decades that would follow. Has it aged amazingly as a record though? In some senses, yes - the production work is distinct and catchy. The number of snippets I realised had originated here and been sampled elsewhere throughout my listen kept bringing a smile to my face. As a whole package though? This style of interjection focused group rappping just always feels a bit blunt and cheesy to me. For context, I love the Beastie Boys, but Licensed to Ill is my least liked of theirs and that’s the closest in style to this given Run-DMC’s influence and the style of that era. Really torn on what to score this. In an ideal world I’d put it at 3.5 but I don’t think I love it enough to give it a 4. Do I weigh it more favourably because of it’s importance to the genre and the foundations it laid? I haven’t done that for other reviews so it feels unfair to start doing it here.
Decent album, but definitely has noticeably aged.
I get that this was important - as one of the first hip-hop records, but I found it a little boring - except for the “Rock Box” track which was really interesting. I think their next album is much better.
Historically significant but corny 40 years later. 2.5/5. Raising to 3.
1984 is crazy, loved the Rock Box sample. Quite funny that it’s got the “hardcore hip hop” genre on wikipedia when compared to wu tang and nwa that came soon after
worth a listen exactly one time to appreciate the influence they had. otherwise this is pretty tough to take seriously
I liked this better than the beastie boys but still not the most amazing thing
I wanted the music to speed up because these songs are unbearably slow. Their other album that's on this list is stronger than this one. I found myself getting bored with this album. Still, it's surprisingly free of the filth that most rap albums contain, so it gets an extra star for being rap-PG.
Can definitely hear the influence of this album on modern hip hop. Fun to listen to for the historical value and there were a couple catchy beats, but not my favourite for pure listening enjoyment.
This is hilariously dated and the drum machine and synths are a bit one-note, and yet, I prefer this to so much of the modern hip-hop on this list that absolutely relies on the influence of this album.
Man I felt like Hard Times went on forever yo. This is Run DMC. One cannot hate them for any reason but one can be tired of the same delivery each and every song and album. I get it, the sound of the times but really, if there aren’t any cuss words, is it really that good? These guys are squeaky clean rap. Like Will Smith minus the cuck part. The songs all have the same feel but aren’t overly similar. In this day and age it’s cheesy as hell but back then it was groundbreaking and I don’t even know that, I’m just assuming. Choice cut: Rock Box
Sounds very uniquely Run-D.M.C. of them, but consequently all the songs feel pretty similar to eachother. Still fun, still an early force in hip-hop history, and it's got that '80s charm
I don't know if I could go lower than a 3 for Run DMC. This is pretty good but not great!
2,5
Oh we're chanting and rhyming and playin' the beats and we're totally hip-hop, so no. Better than a lot of the genre, though.
Skal innrømme at jeg var skeptisk til så gammel hip hop, og selv om det er primitivt, høres det ikke så cheesy ut som jeg trodde det skulle være. Hard Times er utrolig rudimentær både hva gjelder raps og production, men jeg hører en kraft der jeg ikke hadde forventet fra Run-DMC. Det er andresporet som stjeler showet, da; Rock Box er en certified banger som må ha hørtes ut som om den kom fra fremtiden.
Det er kult, men det låter litt underutviklet med veldig mye fokus på en trommemaskin som ikke har kommet så langt på det stadiet her.
Quite good, especially when you remember when it came Found the motifs a bit repetitive
Probably a victim of its own success, in that it was so influential that it now seems really dull and samey.
A good listen but it didn't change my day
This doesn't stand the test of time. It is fun tho. A bunch of songs that sonically sound pretty similar, but It's Like That is a solid track. A 3 mostly for how influential it was.
Some of these songs remind me of the improv game where you’re only allowed to say one word per person. It’s fun but the same throughout, good length though meaning I didn’t get completely jaded
Stripped back early hip hop. That’s just the way it was.
Obviously pioneering so 2 seems harsh but too dated for me ever to return to so settling on a 3
Worthy of its place on the list. Not worthy of a relisten. A basic, paired back sound which gets a little repetitive, but one has to appreciate the originality in context. Mercifully short, and released before the era of hip hop double albums with a ton of weak skits. For that grace alone it squeezes a three.
Favorite songs: Hard Times, Rock Box, Jam-Master Jay, It’s Like That, Wake Up, 30 Days 3.5
Better than Coldplay
Good
Good album but not as good as their second Album
Hip hop has come a long way…
As a time capsule, super fun. I very rarely listen to hip hop from before '88.
Run-DMC are cool as hell and their flow is second only to Outkasts, but there's nothing that really jumps out at me on this album
I’ve always enjoyed Run-D.M.C. and, of the hip-hop I’ve heard during this challenge, they remain one of the acts I connect with most. Hip-hop is still a genre I often struggle with, but what I like about Run-D.M.C. is that their lyrics don’t feel misogynistic, crude or overly dated in the way some older rap can. I’ve also always loved their beats and stripped-back style. Earlier in this challenge I gave Raising Hell a 5/5, so I was really looking forward to listening to their self-titled debut, Run-D.M.C.. I really enjoyed this album. It feels slower, rawer and more stripped back than a lot of later hip-hop, which actually works in its favour. Nothing feels overproduced — it’s just beats, rhythm, attitude and strong delivery. There’s a simplicity to it that gives the album a lot of charm. My only slight criticism is that, as the album goes on, the sound doesn’t evolve all that much. The formula stays fairly consistent throughout, and at times the tracks can blur together a little. That said, the album is short enough that the repetition never becomes a major issue, and the quality of the beats and lyrics keeps it engaging. Overall, this is another strong Run-D.M.C. album and a great reminder of why they were so influential. Favourite track: “It’s Like That” is superb Least favourite track: Everything on the album earns its place Album artwork: Standard album cover
These boys were ahead of their time for sure
These guys were pioneers, not only of hip-hop, but also of rap-rock that would eventually become nu metal. It’s crazy how outdated it seems today. Still good
They're Run DMC and they're here to say: they were very influential to hip hop but they're music does not hold up.
나쁘지 않았다. 뭔가 옛날 느낌이 나는(긍정적으로) 그런 힙합이었다. 힙합을 좋아하는 사람으로써 전체적인 느낌이 나쁘지 않았다. It wasn't bad. It was the kind of hip-hop that had an old-school vibe—in a good way. As someone who enjoys hip-hop, I found the overall feel quite good.
It's a solid old school dawn of rap album.
It's Like That
3.5, good not great
I enjoy putting in Run-DMC when they come up here. I have an affectionate and nostalgia feeling for the sound though I would have been a little kid when this came out and didn’t know anything of it. The sound is a bit sparse and dated and though I like listening to it once it’s probably not something I’ll give a lot of repeat listens. “It’s Like That” is awesome though.
Old school.
Classic. Not fully formed yet, not you could see where it was going.
flow so legendary, the costco guys have nothing but to steal directly from them WE BRING THE BOOM THAT'S WHAT WE DO
Raising Hell was so much fun, but this one ran out of steam towards the end.
So simple and satisfying.
This was a pioneering album for 1984 but it hasn’t aged all that well. With the exception of a couple of the songs, it sounds pretty basic these days. They made huge strides between this album and Raising Hell which still sounds great to this day.
You can hear the beginnings of greatness in this album, but it was still elementary and not Run DMC’s best work. Jam Master Jay laid down beats and Rev Run And Daryl fed off each other to deliver lyrics in that unique 80’s rap style. A good listen and a foundation that was built on by a group of rap pioneers.
The roots of rap in the house. You can tell that the style has evolved well by how remedial this early stuff sounds now. The infancy of the Kings of Rock and their simplistic but playful lyricism (“if you say you need a car, well then I’ll buy you two// and if you say, you want a pet, I’ll buy a kangaroo”) and the less than intricate beat breaks, which entertain but fail to enthrall. They were pioneers to be sure, but these songs were best left out on the trails they blazed.
Man created wheel, then carts, bicycles, trains, cars...and so on. It all starts somewhere and when looking back that starting point is always the simplest version of the modern product. Chuck D said it best, "Run D.M.C first said a DJ could be a band, stand on its own feet, get you off your seat". They are the wheel everyone used when biulding their vision of what rap could be, and now that those ideas have evolved the wheel seems simple and plain. I like the wheel, it's not fancy but it's solid and well made. Nothing but respect to the pioneers.
A hugely influential album on the direction that hip-hop would take in the years to follow. You can hear the future coming. An important album, no doubt, but very much a relic of its time with its overt 80's production and simplistic rhymes. This sure ain't fresh no more.
I like it but not my favorite run DMc
I made a mistake by listening to a song by BTS between theese songs. Makes me feel like this is music produced and performed by cavemen.
Coolt klassiskt sound, men inte så mycket som stod ut allt som allt nu.
Bra hiphop! Bra flow, tunga beats, texter jag inte stör mig på.
Me pareció aburrido. El ritmo siempre el mismo, el rap también, pasé varios temas que me parecían muy largos
Sure
A landmark album in hip-hop music. These guys walked so other rappers and DJ's could run. It's very minimalistic and sparse, there's very little samples used compared to modern hip hop. It makes it sound quite cold and rigid, when the only main instrumental part is the drum machine. The song "Rock Box" particularly stands out to me in that it sounds so inspiring, I want to conquer the world to that song. I can't imagine what it would've sounded like back in 1984; must have been life changing. I think it's a high 3 album, it's far from bad and far from perfect, it's a alright one. Highlight Song/s: "Rock Box" and "It's Like That"
Hard Times - 4/5 Rock Box - 5/5 Jam-Master Jay - 3/5 Hollis Crew (Krush-Groove 2) - 3/5 Sucker M.C.'s (Krush-Groove 1) - 3/5 It's Like That - 5/5 Wake Up - 2/5 30 Days - 2/5 Jay's Game - 2/5 Average score: 3.2/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ as dated as this album is, i somehow don't hate it nearly as much as some other hip-hop albums from the same era. the music aged in about the same way as Beastie Boys' albums did; the flow is a little whack by today's standards, but it's a fun enough listen that i can overlook it for the most part compared to Raising Hell, most tracks are pretty mediocre, but Rock Box in particular sounds damn good even by today's standards. Jam-Master Jay was a great DJ and complimented the duo's rapping style very well (RIP) i don't think i'd listen to the full album again, but i'd absolutely come back for Rock Box and It's Like That again. i think most of their other tracks i like are on Raising Hell
This album sounds like what the beastie boys stumbled onto when they first started out and was like “we will make a killing innovating this style.” Pretty damn cool for 1984 tho
Nowhere near the peaks on Raising Hell, but it is Run-D.M.C. delivering decent song after decent song. Not half bad for a debut album, and it set them well for the rest of their career and for the scene as a whole (looking at you, Beastie Boys).
Can’t help but think about how Run DMC and the Beasty Boys sound so similar! Liked it but wouldn’t listen again.
it's nice
3/5
Really good listen, since its early hip hop, the rhymes and beats are simple, but still good.
Raw talent on show here, it’s like that, and that’s the way it is
buen album igual sonaba bastante viejo en comparación a otros albums para ser de los 80s
I am aware of Run-DMC and have a few songs liked by them on Spotify. Also, one of my favorite Christmas songs is their song "Christmas in Hollis" - haha. But I've never done a deep dive into their stuff - since I was always more of a rock kid. Prior to this I don't have any songs liked on this specific album. Thoughts after listening 3 times... This was pretty good and the best rap album I've listened to so far. I actually remember and like the song "It's Like That". I ended up liking 5 songs on this one ... "Hard Times", "Rock Box", "It's Like That", "Wake Up", "30 Days". "Wake Up" is kinda like a rap version of John Lennon's "Imagine". That's cool. Or maybe a Martin Luther King speech. "Hard Times" and "It's Like That" are still relevant in 2026 in the US - with yet another Republican administration fucking up the economy - except for the richest people. As with pretty much every rap record I've listened to on this website, there are too many songs bragging about their rap abilities. This get pretty tedious after a while. Anyway - it's my first hip hop 3 rating - so that's a high water mark so far for this genre. Liked songs on Spotify: 5/9 Rating: 3/5
honestly pretty impressive how much they get out of what is mostly very sparse drum machine work and some scratching. the interplay between the two vocalists is pretty slick as well, but overall it kinda feels like an unmixed set rather than an lp.
Respect the achievement, just sounds really outdated and old fashioned in a way other old music doesn’t.
Doesnt stand the same today I reckon. Still enjoyable. 3
No soy muy fan del rap, pero esta bueno. Me gustó la guitarra de "Rock Box". Mas allá de eso no noto algo tan wow por ahora.
such strong mid-80s vibes. favourite song: sucker m.c.s
This album whilst undeniably influential for all of rap somewhat suffers from this. It is simplistic and feels a bit unrefined but overall a good listen
While this is a pretty good debut record, none of the tracks really stood out to me. Favourite Track(s): Rock Box Least Favourite Track(s): 30 Days, Jay's Game
Listened to on my Apple AirPods Max. A relic of the early days of rap, this first eponymous release by Run-D.M.C. is enjoyable to listen to, but in the way that playing 'Pong' or 'Pitfall' can be enjoyable. For me, it's mostly the historical relevance that gives it value in the modern day, rather than the actual content of it, just because of how outdated it sounds. This album mostly plays the same song over and over again, which is these now cheesy-sounding shout raps over minimal beats, typically just a programmed drum beat and maybe some scratches. After hearing the first song, you've got a pretty good idea of what the album is. Still, that doesn't discount it so much, seeing as this was the blueprint for the great rap that was soon to follow (very soon, in fact, with acts like Eric B and Rakim showing how to mold more complex sounding beats with rhymes that flow into one another rather than sounding choppy). In fact, it can be fun seeing the little moments where the album does kinda of experiment with the established sound, such as in 'Wake Up' which features a lot of sample work over the beat. It doesn't necessarily make for a good track, and some samples like water rushing just seem plain odd, but it's interesting nonetheless. Rock Box fuses the hip hop sound with distorted guitars running licks through the song, something that was crucial to the adoption and understanding of hip hop in the larger context of America. There's also the track 'Sucker M.C.'s', which is easily the most impressive in terms of actual rapping, mostly ignoring the shout rap style of the rest of the tracks, with both Run and DMC rapping just straight through the whole song, which is an appreciated turn of vibe compared to how the rest of the album plays. In terms of songs I actually like, 'It's Like That' holds up pretty well with a recognizable hook and some synth stabs and drum fills that helps the beat stand out. Beyond that, however, there isn't much I really enjoy on it's own. Listening within the context of the time, this album is enjoyable just to trace some of the roots of hip hop, but absent of that historical value, this just isn't my kind of rap.
Personally, I think Raising Hell is a more complete album, but this one isn't a bad place to start.
Rating:★★★ Most classic sounding rap I've ever heard. I assume this is where the beastie boys get their flow from. It's kinda cheesy to listen to nowadays but I bet back in the day it was the jam. I can respect that this changed a lot culturally. There were some rhymes in there that were pretty nice, and messages that are timeless in their meaning. Overall, decent album.
6/10
They certainly are an 80s hip hop group with everything that entails. Beats are fairly basic, which isn’t bad, and the lyrics are clear with the half shouts supported by the other periodically. Yo be upfront I’ve never been a huge Run DMC fan, though they aren’t bad by any stretch. Overall I enjoy a track or two at a time but when I hear a full album it blurs together. Potentially with more familiarity I might be more engaged track to track but honestly they haven’t given me a whole lot of reason to want to dive in repeatedly.
some classic tunes
Proper old-school rap. While not something I’ll listen to again (except maybe It’s Like That), rap from this era just had something to it that isn’t present in modern rap. It feels fun, and I enjoy the two-pronged vocals.
7/10
they got bars and the beats are catchy but it gets very repetitive at some point
Was a bigger fan of Raising Hell than this one.
Imagine being an MC in the early 80s. A respectful title, no one could make fun of you. And then Run-D.M.C. comes out with "Sucka MCs" Gotta hang up the headphones after that
Buen álbum. Se nota que es foundation para el hiphop/rap de hoy. Muy old school. No creo que lo vuelva a escuchar.
"(And why you wear those glasses?) So I can see...Huh Huh!" - hardest line ever delivered in hip-hop.
Really cheesy, usually I love the fun early hip hop but this was some corny stuff. So vanilla Will Smith raps look like explicit gangster rap in comparison
Some pretty fun beats and rhymes, but altogether not my genre of music at all. I liked Wake Up for its positive message, fun lyrics, and unique beats.
As one of the more accessible entry points to early hip‑hop, Run-DMC is built on hard beats, simple hooks and a stripped‑back swagger that still cuts through. It undeniably sounds of its time — blocky drum machines and shouted call‑and‑response raps — which may feel dated to some ears. But there’s an energy and directness here that makes it easy to stick with, even if hip‑hop isn’t usually your thing. It’s a foundational record I was surprised to get through without skipping, and that counts for a lot.
It's almost unbelievable how naive and candid this record is.
fun beats! not usually into hip hop but I enjoyed this one
I definitely respect the impact this album had on the future of rap and hip hop. It sounded just okay, but I could feel how it laid the groundwork for the artists that came after them.
As a historical snapshot, this excels. I love the way these two play off and complement each other. Favorite track: Rock Box
01) Hard Times - 8,0 02) Rock Box - 8,0 03) Jam-Master Jay - 7,5 04) Hollis Crew (Krush-Groove 2) - 7,0 05) Sucker M.C.'s (Krush-Groove 1) - 7,0 06) It's Like That - 9,0 07) Wake Up - 7,0 08) 30 Days - 7,0 09) Jay's Game - 6,5 TOTAL: 7,44 (74/100) Current ranking: 376/884
The star of this record is JMJ and the Oberheim.
Pretty okay
Quite dated, but still quite pleasurable. Not sure how often I'll return to this, but I enjoyed this listen much more than I like other similarly of-a-distinct-time-and-place albums.
3- Stars (7/15)
Ok
Take a shot every time they say “Sucka MCs” The vocals themselves are pretty well done, very distinct and they’re almost comforting in a way. I think my favorite part of the album is just getting a glimpse at very prototypical rap, it’s very cool to see how it evolves over the years. I do like rap collectives where you use multiple singers; it lets more personality flow into each track and adds to the variety I just don’t think the backing beats are very good at all, they lack energy and they don’t absorb you like future rap albums do. For the most part the lyrics are fine but eventually you get to the point where it feels a little corny and every song sounds like DK Rap (which was modeled off Run DMC ofc) Really cool for its time and pretty inoffensive but doesn’t really hold up compared to the great albums of the 90s.
I'm kinda at the point where all these rap albums are starting to blend together for me. Nothing was really a stand-out except for Wake Up where the extremely idealistic lyrics feel cutting through its absurdity. That's really it. I think rap itself just moved a lot from when this was made so it just feels very... silly? Simple? Somehting like that.
Old School Hip Hop, from one of the originals. Not great rhymes, not great musicianship. If I'm being honest, the genre was never appealing to me. I love the blues, R&B, jazz, etc. But this, while new, just never floated my boat. 3 for historical significance though.
Intéressant mais redondant
I do wish I was more aware if Run-DMC earlier in life. Truly listening to them now, after cutting my teeth on BDP, Nas, Wu, PE they sound flat, not as robust. It's redundant. I respect its power of influence, but I'm not drawn to revisit it.
I've struggled to rate some of the rap and hip-hop we've had on this list, due to not really understanding how some of those albums sit in terms of timing or significance (and sometimes being put off by the swearing). I didn't mind this though, perhaps because it was more familiar from my 80s UK childhood. Run DMC broke through here, along with Grandmaster Flash, and provided something new to listen to in the charts; it felt quite fun at the time, as well as having a message. Today, I wasn't really engaged by a whole album of Run and DMC, but it was pretty good.
Donnerstag, 09.04.2026 Spaziergang in Moabit um Mitternacht rum am Samstag, dem 04.04., auf dem Weg zu AERA Chb 2good2go abholen
I have a lot of affection for this but yes the reviews are right it's dated in a way that's hard to overcome. That said, it *is* interesting in a historical context and benefits from the unclear boundaries of the genre. I love Rock Box's fruity loops-ish guitar. Something like Jam Master Jay is so like...it's just dudes so excited for everyone to meet their friend. If you are willing to meet the album about 70% of the way and get on the wavelength of the dated flow it's genuinely charming. call this a 1980s five and a 2026 three.
Old school Rap… Maybe too old
Drum sounds. Simple rapping. Reminds me of early mtv
#84/1001 🇺🇸🎤 There's something that I love about Run DMC. They have a distinctive sound and you immediately know what you are getting. I've given it a couple of spins today and while its not really set my world alight, i dont dislike it either. Its easy to see the influence that this album had in hip-hop reaching the mainstream. Best tracks: Rock Box, Its Like That, Sucker MCs.
I remember breakdancing (poorly) to this as a kid. On another note it's amazing how far hip-hop has progressed
It is a little barebones by today's standards, and i think some years later, some other groups perfected this sound even better, but their influence can not be understated. That is for sure. I'm gonna give it a stroooong 3, but not a 4 sadly.
Did not hold up as much as I would have liked. One bonus star for the refreshingly optimistic “Wake Up”
This feels every bit its age. Run DMC is a fantastic rap group, but the sounds just don't hold up in 2026. It's very easy to see the influence they've had on what came after, but without any nostalgia attached to it, it feels lacking.
Fun classic hip hop. Rock Box and It’s Like That were my favorites. It’s cool how it’s all so minimal. Tough one to rate.
Cool and fun, i always kinda enjoy run dmc but probably wouldnt go back to this
Fun album with a surprisingly elaborated sound for a debut. A little lacking in variety, maybe.
I’m sure this is a very important album and probably more groundbreaking at its release. It comes off a hair bland to me today.
Not the album I would have chosen for this group. Raisin Hell is iconic in so many ways. That being said, this album is the roots of hip hop.
3.5 Classic rock. Love it. Goes down quick and easy. Vital, fun, intense.
That was nostalgic. Back to Basics simple OG rhyming.
Super
Fav: it’s like that 3/5
Not as good as their second album, but still not too bad. Early hip-hop has that je ne sais quoi that I can't help but enjoy. Yes, it is pretty corny, but that's part of it. Key tracks: Hard Times
Hard Times - 3.5/5 Rock Box - 4/5 Jam-Master Jay - 3.5/5 Hollis Crew (Krush-Groove 2) - 3/5 Sucker M.C.'s (Krush-Groove 1) - 3/5 It's Like That - 5/5 Wake Up - 3/5 30 Days - 3.5/5 Jay's Game - 2.5/5
6/10
Liked the debut, simple songs but very well produced, fairly simple raps but it gets the point across and let's you wanting more after it ends.
🎧Respect to Run DMC, innovators and legends in their own right. But this is not great. Wake Up is fun and corny as hell. Gotta love the sincerity on display, cliche as it may be.
Run–D.M.C. are very simple rhymers. And, y'know, I don't blame 'em for that. In the era of hip-hop they debuted in, I doubt **anyone** was a super spirtual lyrical miracle. Heck, next to their contemporaries, they were probably among the hardest MC's out there — if not **the** hardest. Who was gonna compete? The Sugarhill Gang? I don't think so. And it's not like their simple style can't be enjoyable; just take a look at songs like "It's Tricky", "Peter Piper", "Kings Of Rock" and this album's own "Rock Box". But ultimately, Run–D.M.C. are victims of being so primordial. Living in 2026, in a world that's had rappers Kendrick Lamar, JAY-Z, Biggie Smalls, MF DOOM, 2Pac, the Wu-Tang Clan, and so many others, it's very hard to be impressed by what Run–D.M.C. have done. Especially here, on their debut album. If I thought 'Raising Hell' could be basic, hoo boy! I ain't heard nuthin' yet! I feel like the best thing Run–D.M.C. have always had going for them is their delivery. The way they shout the lyrics, and the way they finish each others' lines so frequently is such a joy. They could almost be rapping anything and I'd get a kick out of it. Which is just as well, 'coz I don't think they're saying much anyway. And they're not even saying any of it in a particularly clever way. I mean, I really get the impression that I like these guys the best when they happen to be rapping over guitar — somehow, it adds a level to their rapping that they just can't get to on their own. 'Coz when they're over spare drums and claps, or those fantastic electro hip hop synth horns... Yeah, it's just not the same. It's a little funny to read Ice-T crediting Run–D.M.C. for allowing hip-hop to evolve from singles and dance floors to full-on albums. I don't disbelieve him, and I'm not tryna knock the group's impact and legacy here; I have nothing but respect for what they've done for the genre. But between 'Raising Hell' and this album, I think I'd be better off enjoying these guys for their singles than anything else. I mean, do I needa hear "30 Days" again? I don't think so. I guess if you're really into early hip-hop (like, not exactly Golden Age hip hop, but a little later than that), you'll probably get a kick out of this. For me: eh. I've got less simple options.
I’m at a 3.5, & I’m going to barely bump it up to a 4 despite my desire to keep it at a 3.5 & this album very nearly crashing itself down to a 3 out of boredom. This album comes out of the gates really, really nicely through its first 6 tracks; only “Jam-Master Jay” didn’t really click with me like that, and while I did think “It’s Like That” got a bit repetitive near the end, I was digging everything about it. They were both flowing, the pacing was great, the verses were hitting, and for 1984, it felt like the sort of super important rap album people generally call it. The final 3 tracks here really fucking killed the vibe for me, man. It’s not that they’re bad tracks, but my god, the pacing of the album crawls to a gargantuan halt. You can see it in the Spotify plays here too – people willingly do not listen to these tracks. “Wake Up” is good in its messaging, and I did like it, but it has more break time between verses than it does actual time listening to people rapping, which is antithetical to the whole genre at this time, I think. “30 Days” is kinda fun, but the soundscape between verses is just synthetic & hollow, with nothing to fill out the soundscape in the same way the guitar did on “Rock Box”, and it just kinda drags on because of it. “Jay’s Game” ups that synthetic level even higher, acting as… I mean, it’s something. It didn’t bother me that much, but it’s a structureless attempt at a dance track that barely keeps a consistent rhythm, and goes on way longer than it needs to. If it weren’t for the strength of the first 6 tracks, I’d be far more inclined to fully bump this down to a 3, and honestly, if you had caught me on a different day that wasn’t right after we got “Planet Rock: The Album”, I might’ve done it. However, I feel like I owe Run-D.M.C. just a little bit of grace for not giving “Raising Hell” a bit more attention, given that it was the 6th album we got. I at least owe it a relisten, because I don't remember it ever getting as dire as the last 3 tracks here did. Hence, a 3.5 that I’ll barely bump up to a 4; a 66% hit rate normally doesn’t earn that, but both “Rock Box” & the Krush-Groove beats just kinda rock hard enough where I feel fine doing so. Edit: Yes, a rare usage of the edit feature here to say that I have relistened to "Raising Hell" only to discover that it does, in fact, get that dire around the halfway mark. Between that, and giving this album one more relisten to see if the pacing is still a nightmare (and yes, it is), I feel like I genuinely need to edit this to rectify it. I'm sorry; it just isn't that strongly structured of an album. Those tracks I mentioned are still good, but as an album experience, it's worth bumping down from a 3.5 to a 3.
Obviously influential. You can really hear the building blocks that rap/hip hop were built on top of going forward. By today’s standards, a little unexciting.
I'm glad I heard it once, but I doubt that I'll be listening again. I was surprised at how dated and flat this sounds compared to other albums that were recorded just a short time later. "Hollis Crew" was my favorite track, possibly because I've heard that one several times before. I liked the beat on "Wake Up," but the lyrics and the snoring in the background are a little cringeworthy.
Classic old-school hiphop beats and sound throughout. More fun than some of the other from this time that I have gotten on this list before. The addition of the electric guitar and keyboard makes it even better to me. Really fun to listen through and while i probably wont come back to it in the near future I can really see how they influenced later artist that I listen to now.
Loved to hear a classic old school hiphop album again. Great debut album and really set the standard for what they would become.
This going to be tough competition going up against the other Run D.M.C. album I've hit here so far, Raising Hell, which I loved. This self-titled debut album definitely doesn't have the same pull, but it's still pretty good. It's cool to see the progression of the group. Songs are fun and have good beats but there's a lot of similarity between the tracks that makes this album drag a little. Run D.M.C is so good at making these little ditties and sounds that fit into their beats that just live in your head forever, and I love that. Their back-and-forth rapping style, bouncing off each other, is very much present from the beginning. Favorite songs were "Hard Times" "Rock Box" and "Wake Up." Some songs had an almost industrial/electronic sound to them that I enjoyed. Overall, a fun listen but this one didn't have the staying power or oomph as other offerings from the group. 3/5 for me.
As influential as this album is, it was kind of tiresome. I was born long after the era in which this album released, so perhaps i can’t understand this as well as others. i like their chemistry, and some of the songs on here are decent, but the flows are repetitive, the beats are super simplistic, which wouldn’t be a problem if some of the songs on this album weren’t like 6 minutes long for some reason. Not bad, worth a listen. That’s it for me, sorry!
I am not a big fan of most rap artists and although Run is cutting edge, in my view they merit a 3.
Respect the early 80’s NYC Rap but the simple beats sound dated. Lacks the Dada of the Beasties or the political urgency of P.E. 3.5 stars
I can appreciate that this would have been ground breaking at the time, but it feels dated now and not one I’m going to listen to on repeat.
Familiar, but I've never listened to this album. Classic old school hip hop that I appreciate but am not terribly interested in.
It's cheesy, it's repetitive, it's also quite good fun in parts. It's Like That is great, but I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to the rest of this again. A high three.
Some really good beats but is very dated now
Enjoyed it, and the fact it’s very nostalgic, somewhat basic compared to what came later, but then I am the same with rock and pop. 3 Star. And it has the grace of being less than 40 minutes unlike 2 albums this week that were 2 hr chores.
i enjoyed it but the songs were a little bit long and i probably wouldn't return to it as a full album
I love them, but i can't really listen to more than a few Run DMC tracks in a row without it feeling too repetitive
Blast from the past. Enjoyable listen, though not my preferred genre, so musically many songs sounded the same to my untrained ears. These guys helped initiated an entire music genre, so props to them.
Solid early hip-hop album. Definitely some prevalent themes explored, too. And I loved the back-and-forth vocals on a few of the tracks. Wake Up was a stand out song for me. And while this normally isn't my preferred genre, I enjoyed it! 3.5 stars.
Not really my style of music, but not a bad album in any way.
Some good ones
Enjoyed the first half more than the second.
cool but repetitive
Inventive 3 - deserves to be on this list
This album is a cool time capsule, but isn’t something I would actually want to put on to listen to. The style of rapping is just so dated and slow! This whole album is surprisingly slow. There were moments that I was really enjoying the intros and beats and then the slow rapping came in and the track loses momentum. Favourite track was Jam Master Jay.
Part of the hip hop revolution. It will sound outdated now maybe, but it maintains it's importance
Not memorable but also not so bad i had to turn it off.
It’s ok
Hard Times 3.4 Rock Box 3.6 Jam-Master Jay 3.5 Hollis Crew (Krush-Groove 2) 3 Sucker M.C.'s (Krush-Groove 1) 3 It's Like That 3.2 Wake Up 3.3 30 Days 3.1 Jay's Game 3 Score: 3.233333333
Fun old school hip hop
3/5. one of those albums that irreversibly changed the course of its genre. If it weren’t for Run DMC rap would likely be very different from what it is today. That being said to steal an Analogy that’s a bit overused, it’s like looking at the first ever car in a museum. You can respect how it was a revolution that changed things forever, but you can also acknowledge how things have become more refined and better since then. Run DMC set the blueprint but in terms of lyricism, flow, production, etc. they can’t really compete with what would come after them in rap/hip-hop.
The first pancake of rap music, in a weirdly attractive way
Album 36 Top 3 favorites off the album: Wake Up, Hard Times, 30 Days A bop, I'm afraid. Lyrically simplistic, musically as well, it all starts sounding the same around 3 tracks in, but I enjoyed the rhythm. This is an album I'd put on to distract myself from The Horrors if I were spiralling.
I suppose because many of the tropes of hip hop were invented on this album that is why this album sounds a bit ordinary.
This grew on me the more times I listened. Hard times, it’s like that, and 30 days are the standouts to me. Early hip hop made well.
It's fine
I wanted to like this so much more than I did. I understand how important it was for rap and music generally but I just can't transport myself back to a world when this was new and fresh, where the production doesn't sound like mucking about on a Yamaha keyboard in the 90s. I felt the need to cleanse my palate with the 1997 Jason Nevins remix of It's Like That, which despite also being nearly 30 years old, is at least fun to listen to and has a ton more punch to it than the original. I love that they made this album. It's pretty incredible that we're here 40+ years on and so many of the lyrics are still relevant. I also agree that everybody should hear it as a crucial piece in musical history but in terms of pure personal enjoyment, I am not going to be choosing to put it on again in a hurry.
Some good songs.
This is clearly a blueprint for so much of what came after it, but it also sounds quite dated in a way that a lot of stuff that came after it doesn't. 3 defeated sucka MCs out of 5
They've hit on a great sound and are good lyricists but it's very samey
I wanted to like this more than I did. The minimalist instrumentals were a bit grating for me, but it's no doubt fundamentally influential 1980s hip hop. Feel bad giving this a 3 but it just didn't lure me back.
It's dated - but can't deny how ground breaking it was for the time.
I get that this is a pioneer album for rap, and though I like a lot of rap, I just found that this album doesn’t hold up. It’s not bad, it’s just not amazing. The raps are decent, but the beats are simplistic and repetitive.
Old school
3.5 Cool to hear the influence that this would have for hip-hop going forward.
3/5 - Great beats throughout and super important historically from what I can tell, but the lyrics and flow just don't hold up that well. Enjoyed the whole album, especially the dynamics with the vocalists, but not enough to listen to again
Much better than i expected but very samey
Expected worse. Yes extremely dated but after a weak start soms great songs start to come up.
Pretty interesting to hear their oldest stuff, although I don't feel like they really hit their stride until Raising Hell a few years lady. Still, to this doc Run-D.M.C. is undeniable hip hop legends.
Wake up, get up— vision of a world working as team, it was just a dream
Está bueno. Buenos ritmos de hip hop y rap, arreglos padres y en general un buen rato.
Suuuper dated rapping, but their voices sound great. And the beats/production is surprisingly great thanks to Jam Master Jay and producer Russell Simmons
This was fun although I feel like once you’ve heard one song you’ve heard them all. My favourite lyrics 😂 I'm gonna give you everything that you ever need If you need a pint of blood, then I'll even bleed If you're lookin' for a car, I will buy you two And if you're lookin' for a pet, I'll buy a kangaroo
Despite the fact that this is a foundational hip hop album, the rhymes are super dated and the beats are quite basic. Sucka MCs is the first diss track ever, but the lyrics are so generic that it feels corny.
As Rap albums go, this is a good kickoff for the genre.
non male la dinamica tra i due ma suona troppo vecchio, troppi bassi e troppe poche melodie per i miei gusti
Pretty good
I was annoyed by the first song, seemed very repetitive, but as the album went on I enjoyed it more. Not a huge fan but I understand how people enjoy it.
Definitely 1980s, and sounds the same after a while, but it's a good sound. Favorite track: Rock Box
This takes me back to the times when rap was known as electro in the UK . Thanks to the great albums electro 1-7. This is a good record but also feels a little sparse to what rap, sampling and scratching would become - Feels almost punk in places but I'm Not sure it is required in the 1001 albums . “It’s like that” is head and shoulders above the rest It could be a 3 to fit with my I like that enough to buy on vinyl ( I already do )- but I think I’m being generous It’s not a 2 as I like listening to early hip hip - check out the amazing Soul Jazz Records Presents YO! BOOMBOX - Early Independent Hip Hop, Electro And Disco Rap 1979-83. That’s good enough for 3 double albums but this is not as great as they will turn out to be.
raw, minimal, powerful
Old school rap
I never loved Run DMC, but it is fun to go back and hear the mail they made.
In 1984, this was seminal, and has influenced just about every hip-hop artist since. This is the original sound of hardcore hip-hop moving from the underground scene, and bringing it towards the mainstream. The problem is that the whole genre has developed so much since this album came out, that it sounds very basic, and totally of its time.
In the context of when this came out, it's incredible how innovative this sounds compared to the Message, which only came out a couple years before. The flip side is how fast the genre kept innovating that this record became dated only a few years later when Eric B & Rakim, De La Soul, etc came along. Still a great record, but it definitely serves more as a snapshot of rap at the time it was released.
I totally get how seminal this was but it hasn’t really stood the test of time. I was wiggling my hips to the beat but the beat is pretty much the same in every track and it’s all a bit too shouty
good
It is interesting to hear the early outings of hip hop compared to what we hear today. Thoroughly inoffensive, heavy disc scratching, super cheesy lyrics, it’s just about as 80s as you get. It’s like the entire industry was still learning flow. Not sure why they introduced themselves in each song. They definitely felt a need to tell us it was, in fact, them on the mic. And, yes, I get it, you dislike “Succah MCs” and love rhyming “Queens” and “Greens”. I mean no disrespect as hip hop is not what it is today without Run DMC, but this album is painfully dated. This has a special place in history, but the early days of any newer media is often still trying to find itself, which leads to some defined growing pains.
This is a weak 3. It’s hard to get really into this type of rap, since the beats are so simple and the raps aren’t all that different song to song. But it’s clearly incredibly influential and important so gotta give it respect.
can imagine this blowing peoples minds in the 80s
Groundbreaking early 80's "hardcore" hip hop. A departure from the good time rap style of the day, more raw and streetwise. The beats are very machine sounding and a bit tinny compared to todays sounds. The blending of rock and rap were very forward thinking and an inspiration for many future bands. Overall it is very catchy and worth an add to any collection for the history of a genre.
Beastie Boys took this style and ran. This doesn't age well, but it's not awful.
This wasn't really my genre, but I think I can appreciate old-school hiphip. I didn't love this, but I didn't hate it. It was better than average for the era, but it didn't blow me away and I was ready for it to be over at the end. Three stars.
I understand the historic significance of this album, I'm going to focus the rest of my words on how it feels to me. Because that choppy '80s sound usually bugs me, but there's something about the production on here that integrates really well with their Vocal Chore- Ogra- PHYYYYY I also find it cheesy, but as a founding structure of hip-hop, I can't hate on it too much. I appreciate it's a short listen, it's fun and packs a quick punch, just a spurt of energy. I'd buy this record. 3.3/5
6.0
It's like that
Not as good as their later stuff, but still half-decent. I like the classic hip-hop style and sound, and this album is the prime example. Yeah, it doesn't go anywhere exceptional, and sounds very dated listening 40 years on with 40 years of hip-hop gone by. The beats are basic and the flow is predictable, but still, doesn't mean it's bad. Decent enough.
6/10… hip hop / *1984
It's good for me, 'cause I like that hip hop shit. But it really feels outdated: the beats, the sounds. Huge respect to the guys anyway. 3/5 —————————————— Liked: — Rock Box — Wake Up — 30 Days
3 and only because of its historic relevance, because honestly it sounds pretty dated.
Raising Hell is the album I'm familiar with. I think this one is better. Of course it's dated. It's literally old school.
Hip-hip pioneers produce a record so 80s, you can see the neon leggings. But in a good way.
not my style, but i'm glad i listened to it
Not something I expected to be as creative as it was sonically. I don't know much about this style of music, it was certainly interesting to hear this album. I'm not sure it was something I would listen to again but if I did hear any of the songs I'm sure they would be just as enjoyable. The opening and closing songs were strong
Hard times is still do relevant
No es mi tipo
I feel like I listen to a part of history. A vintage hip hop album for sure. A great listening 3/5
Fun ? Liked it overall but every song sounds the same. idk if that’s bad in this case because i don’t find it particularly annoying or anything
I didn't enjoy this one as much as their other album. The songs here sounded very dated 3 ⭐️