1001 Albums Generator
Run-D.M.C. by Run-D.M.C.

Run-D.M.C.

Run-D.M.C.

1984
3.12
Rating
23490
Votes
1
6%
2
20%
3
40%
4
26%
5
9%
Distribution
Genres: Hip-Hop

Reviews (page 5 of 8)

Less refined than their later music but honest in its' presentation, the debut of hard style instantly changed the burgeoning hip hop atmosphere.

I like them but they have better tracks

Maybe the most difficult listen of this list so far. The beats are so boring and rudimentary, and the rhymes are uninteresting and have aged so poorly. Hip Hop in its infancy and going through some really rough growing pains. Rock Box is the only redeemable thing on here. Certainly a product of its time. Some additional watching inspired by this listen: Northernlion's Kurtis Blow arc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7ZkWspxvOY&ab_channel=itsmeBR1AN Rza makes a terrible beat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59NVvnkJ0Sw&ab_channel=NicholasWilson

Classic, but not always my kind of jam.

It’s ok, but do not love nearly as much as Raising Hell. You can kind of tell that it’s an earlier album. The beats on each track feel the same. Not the variety and dynamism of later albums.

Fun but simple rhyming schemes and big boom bap beats. It’s fun but not as fun as their later record we listened to already. Standout track is: “It’s Like That”

In general I’m not a hip hop fan but Rin-D.M.C. Is an exception for me - another enjoyable album.

Okay. Kind of boring and repeatative.

Much like the last Run-DMC album, this leaves me really cold.

Wow, Run DMC definitely found a sound they liked and stuck with it didn't they? Thus all blends into itself, as one track becomes several without any noticeable change to the beats or the scansion of the lyrics. Also, as someone who knew the remix of Its Like That from the 90s, this version sounds SO EMPTY! There's just so much blank space in there!

Boring!!! Listening to people brag about themselves for almost 40 minutes just gets really annoying ever awhile.

Still holds up

I found it quite boring. I think, in context, it was likely a fantastic work at the time of release and had an impact. The radio/MTV song on there appears to have been one of the first crossover tracks, and the album itself appears to have been a record maker - but frankly I found the beats boring, the rap basic (though rhymes were good), and overall that the album doesn't stand up against their later releases. It is an album I wish I could go back and listen to *in context*, but sadly without that context it is mediocre to me.

'Rock Box' and 'It's Like That' are good, but everything else sounds so cheap. It's hilarious to read that this was considered to be groundbreaking back in 1984. I'm shocked. This is incredibly generic hip hop. The beats are cheap. The lyrics sound like they took 10 seconds to write. These guys got good eventually, but you wouldn't be able to tell from this.

Obviously a foundational hip hop album that's very raw, I think id have enjoyed this more if I hadn't played raising hell a million times before listening to this album

Of course the rational part of me knows just how groundbreaking this material was, but in reality, I mostly just hear completely barren beats most 15-year olds could recreate within a couple of minutes in FL studio and vocals that sound like a lame SNL parody of hip hop.

Would listen again. It may be a little same same, but the electricity is undeniable. Low four. Faves: hard times, rock box

What the hell

Completely mid

It’s Tricky to rate this album.

Fun hip hop album, cool to see how far the genre has come since this

很不错的说唱

As a lifelong hip hop head I respect the elders but the pre-rakim style of rapping and the pre-the chronic style of beats have always sounded dated to me in a way I never got past. Rock box slaps though.

That's the real hip-hop! Not that overproduced bullshit, just the simple samples and the rhymes. 5 stars.

## In-Depth Review of *Run-D.M.C.* by Run-D.M.C. Released on March 27, 1984, *Run-D.M.C.* was the groundbreaking debut album by the Queens-based hip-hop trio Run-D.M.C. Comprising nine tracks, the album introduced a raw, stripped-down sound that redefined rap music and ushered in the New School era of hip-hop. Below is an in-depth exploration of its lyrics, music, production, themes, influence, and a balanced critique of its strengths and weaknesses. --- ### **Lyrics** The lyrical content of *Run-D.M.C.* was revolutionary for its time. The group moved away from the party-centric and playful rhymes of early hip-hop, opting instead for a harder, more confrontational style. Tracks like “It’s Like That” and “Hard Times” delve into social commentary, addressing issues such as unemployment, poverty, and systemic inequality. These songs expanded the thematic boundaries of rap music, aligning it with the socially conscious tradition of Grandmaster Flash’s “The Message”[1][2][4]. “Sucker M.C.’s,” one of the album’s standout tracks, is a diss record that introduced a minimalist lyrical style focused on braggadocio and personal storytelling. The song’s directness and lack of a traditional chorus were unprecedented at the time[2][4]. Similarly, “Hollis Crew (Krush Groove 2)” offered a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of Run-D.M.C., blending autobiographical elements with motivational undertones[1]. While most tracks are lyrically robust, some—like “30 Days”—veer into lighter territory with humorous themes. However, these moments lack the depth and impact of the album’s more serious offerings[1]. --- ### **Music** Musically, *Run-D.M.C.* was a stark departure from the disco-influenced beats that dominated early hip-hop. The production relied heavily on drum machines and sparse instrumentation, creating a raw, unpolished sound that emphasized rhythm over melody. This minimalist approach gave the album an aggressive edge that resonated with urban audiences[2][4]. “Rock Box,” another standout track, broke new ground by incorporating electric guitar riffs into a hip-hop framework. This fusion of rap and rock was revolutionary and laid the foundation for future rap-rock collaborations[4]. Tracks like “Jam Master Jay” showcased DJ Jam Master Jay’s turntable skills through intricate scratching and cutting techniques, further emphasizing the album’s innovative use of sound[1]. However, not all tracks are equally compelling. Songs like “Wake Up” feature less dynamic production that feels dated compared to the rest of the album’s cutting-edge sound[1]. --- ### **Production** The album was produced by Russell Simmons and Larry Smith at Greene Street Recording in New York City. Their production choices were instrumental in shaping *Run-D.M.C.’s* signature sound. By stripping away unnecessary layers and focusing on hard-hitting beats and vocal delivery, Simmons and Smith created a sonic blueprint that would dominate hip-hop for years to come[4][5]. The use of drum machines like the Oberheim DMX gave tracks such as “Sucker M.C.’s” their iconic punchiness. The decision to incorporate rock elements in “Rock Box” also demonstrated a willingness to experiment beyond traditional hip-hop boundaries[4]. Despite its groundbreaking nature, some tracks—like “30 Days”—feel underdeveloped compared to others on the album[1]. --- ### **Themes** Thematically, *Run-D.M.C.* balances social commentary with self-assertion and humor: - **Social Commentary**: Songs like “It’s Like That” and “Hard Times” address economic struggles and societal injustices during the Reagan era. These tracks resonate as precursors to politically charged rap movements. - **Self-Assertion**: Tracks such as “Sucker M.C.’s” and “Hollis Crew” highlight personal ambition and confidence, reflecting hip-hop’s competitive spirit. - **Humor**: Lighter tracks like “30 Days” bring levity but lack the depth found in other songs. This thematic diversity helped establish *Run-D.M.C.* as more than just a collection of singles; it was a cohesive statement about life in urban America during the 1980s[1][2][4]. --- ### **Influence** The influence of *Run-D.M.C.* cannot be overstated. The album marked a turning point for hip-hop by: 1. **Defining New School Hip-Hop**: It introduced a tougher, more aggressive style that contrasted sharply with earlier party-oriented rap. 2. **Pioneering Album Culture**: By crafting an album with thematic consistency and high-quality production across all tracks (rather than focusing solely on singles), Run-D.M.C. set a new standard for hip-hop albums[5]. 3. **Breaking Genre Barriers**: With tracks like “Rock Box,” they paved the way for future collaborations between rock and rap artists. 4. **Cultural Impact**: Their streetwear-inspired fashion (Adidas sneakers without laces, leather jackets) became iconic and influenced both fans and fellow artists. 5. **Mainstream Success**: The album reached #11 on Billboard’s Top Black Albums chart and earned Gold certification within months—a milestone for hip-hop at the time[2][4]. Without *Run-D.M.C.*, subsequent artists like Public Enemy, N.W.A., or even modern acts blending genres might not have had such fertile ground to grow. --- ### **Pros** - **Innovative Sound**: The minimalist production was groundbreaking for its time. - **Lyrical Depth**: Tracks like “It’s Like That” tackled serious social issues with clarity and urgency. - **Genre-Bending**: The inclusion of rock elements in “Rock Box” expanded hip-hop’s musical possibilities. - **Cohesive Vision**: Unlike many early rap albums that felt like compilations of singles, *Run-D.M.C.* presented a unified artistic statement. - **Cultural Influence**: Beyond music, their style and attitude helped define hip-hop culture. --- ### **Cons** - **Inconsistent Quality**: While most tracks are strong, songs like “30 Days” feel out of place or underwhelming compared to highlights like “Sucker M.C.’s.” - **Limited Melodic Range**: The heavy reliance on sparse beats sometimes makes the album feel monotonous over repeated listens. - **Dated Production on Some Tracks**: While innovative at release, certain songs lack the timeless quality found in others. --- ### Conclusion *Run-D.M.C.* is an essential piece of hip-hop history that redefined what rap music could be. Its raw energy, innovative production, and socially conscious lyrics set it apart from its contemporaries while laying the groundwork for future generations. Despite minor flaws in consistency and melodic variety, its cultural impact remains unparalleled. For listeners seeking to understand hip-hop’s evolution or simply enjoy one of its most influential works, *Run-D.M.C.* is both an educational experience and an exhilarating listen.

sapeee. 5 de 5

Liked the video but pass on the rest

Rating: 3.5/5 | Favorite Track: It's Like That --- Not bad, but definitely my preferred style of hip-hop/rap. Still a pretty enjoyable listen and a very influential album.

who doesn’t like some old school hip-hop??

Boy do they have a sound! And it's whatever drum machine they used on this.

Just sounds like the Beasty Boys.

Coming into this, the only thing I know about Run DMC is the reality show that Rev Run had back in the early 2000's. Outside of that, I come in with a little bit of bias against this era of hip-hop because I just feel like the 90s is where the genre really evolved into it's potential. I find a lot of 80's rap to be incredibly corny and a little too "lyrical miracle spiritual" for me. We'll see how it goes though! Great start to the record with "Hard Times" being an incredibly poignant song even in 2025. Prices going up and times are hard, everybody is barely making enough money to skate by and feeling the pain of that right now in particular, that track spoke to me. "Rock Box" has a cool guitar inspired beat that reminds me a lot of Eddie Van Halen's guitar work in Michael Jackson's "Beat It", the song outside of that though falls a little flat for me. "Wake Up" is an interesting song about a dream that one of the rappers had about the world being in a state of utopia where nobody had to worry about bad health, bills, and political strife. I also found this track to be incredibly sad for some reason and it weirdly kind of hit me emotionally. Overall, this was an interesting listen that I don't know if I would come back to very much but I appreciate Run DMC's legacy they left behind for modern Rap/Hip-Hop. Standout tracks are "Hard Times", "It's Like That", and "Wake Up".

Iconic and breakthrough album, immensely influential and game changing for the time.

These guys kicked the walls open for hip hop. Respect.

Spotify deciding to play My Adidas straight after this album made me get Run-D.M.C. in a way that the previous 40 minutes hadn't. Listen to the Jason Nevins remix of It's Like That and call it a day.

Man, did I love this. Hard hitting beats, playful delivery, the genre bending with rock. It’s all so cool and innovative. You can really hear their influence on acts to follow. Very minor points deducted for repetition (which is part of what makes it good) and the overall feel of cheesiness to the raps. Hip hop cannibalizes itself a bit when its edge of innovation casts aspersions on outdated styles and I can’t ignore that.

yeah ain’t my kinda fun but still a good listen

can appreciate it for what it is. definitely can see and respect how it sewed the seeds, but in 2025- i’m not necessarily getting down to this

Is it their best album? No. However, this is an important album - this albm was pointing the way forward for hip-hop when it was still a fledgling genre. Though it has dated there are still a couple of bangers on here. 100% this should be included. Best Tracks: Rock Box; Sucker M.C.'s (Krush-Groove 1); It's Like That

The album is a little less terrible than many rap albums (thanks to the rock inserts in a couple of songs, in particular, in "Rockbox"). But the vast majority of the record is more annoying than at least perceived neutrally. 2 out of 10.

Solidny album. Styl w hip-hopie, który zainspirował sporo innych zespołów, kiedyś słuchałem mnóstwo Beastie Boys i słyszę silne wpływy tego, co robiło Run-D.M.C. Czegoś mi jednak brakowało na dłuższą metę. Miałem wrażenie, jakby chłopaki dopiero szukali swojego brzmienia i bardziej bawili się dźwiękiem i stylem. "Hard Times" i "It's Like That" to dla mnie najmocniejsze kawałki na albumie, wydaje mi się, że to peak tego, co Run-D.M.C. grało. Najlepszym albumem duetu jest dla mnie "Raising Hell", tam jest "Walk This Way" i "It's Tricky", dwa największe hity. Także ciężko mi dać więcej, niż 3, bo jeśli będę słuchał tego zespołu, to raczej nie tego albumu.

Baby rap - so cute <3. But we have an interesting dilemma here. Do we judge a newborn baby for being weaker than a grown person? Yes. 3/5.

This album turned 40 last year. While the beats and synth are almost hilariously primitive, I feel like this is worth a listen for anyone who is into hip-hop. The message is there and it still hits in a certain way.

Rock Box! The original (and far superior) It's Like That Sure, it's hugely influential, and massively dated. Not all of it stands up to this day. But not all of it should be dismissed, there's still lots to enjoy. The less sparse stuff which makes use of synth stings and guitar samples stand up the best.

I’m so uncultured. I get it now.

This is a tough one to rate. On one hand, it’s an absolutely foundational rap album. On the other hand in 2025 it sounds like something 2 12 year olds made with a drum machine they bought at a garage sale. I’ll go right down the middle with a 3. I still enjoy Dj Run and DMC going back and forth but it was a slog at times

3.2 "Its like that" is a banger and wasn't really expecting the positive message on Hard times, thought that was good too.

Really really cool to listen to something that represents some of the earliest shifts in the sound of hip-hop. Come on; these beats are totally banging, and the rapping is charismatic as fuck. Maybe it’s a little one-note, but it’s still a must-listen, #101.

I respect the legacy but there is no longevity to this album. It sounds washed up by even 1995's standards. My favorite song was the one with no vocals and my favorite beats and melodies were the silence between tracks. 2 stars on legacy merit, udder shite in other catagories.

I was lucky enough to see Run DMC in the 90s. It was chaotic. But this album isn't amazing. Except for one song, obviously.

Really good fun! That classic style which can seem a little clichéd now but still has impact and flair. Makes me want to force a friend to walk around doing the alternating words/lines thing with me! Rock Box was my top pick, closely followed by Wake Up. Cool cover too.

Have no doubt it was revolutionary in its time, but all I could picture was Whose Line Is It Anyway music improv episodes.

Gonna break out my cardboard and do some handstand spins. 3.5/5.

Fun time.

Not cool! I’ve heard some great drumming on DMC songs but this was so stale. The drum effect was like listening to people clap continuously, unaffected by the changing songs.

Definitely an album everyone should listen to before they die. Fun. Provocative. And… dated. I’m sure this blew a lot of minds when it came out, its importance to the genre really can’t be overstated. But it’s a little earlier than the hip hop that I usually go for. Maybe that’s just because I don’t own a boombox. 6.5 for enjoyability + 2 for significance.

Good, classic

A little cheesy and uncomplex, sure, but I tend to like the 80s/90s style of hip-hop. I could’ve been paying closer attention; it didn’t leave much of an impression beyond “this is nice enough.”

This feels so foundational to basically all music after it.

I give a lot of credit to Run-DMC. This is not my favorite music from them but these tunes definitely inspired the likes of The Beastie Boys and A Tribe Called Quest, two of my favorites in the genre. Run-DMC’s rhymes will get better, but their blend of hip hop and rock was unparalleled at the time. 6/10

There's a lot of rippty rap rap going on in this album. I know the times were different, but the motivational rap doesn't really do it for me. Most of the beats felt like a sign of the times, but I did really like the guitar lick on Rock Box. Crazy that it'd take 2 more years before Walk This Way. I don't know if we needed that closing DJ track, but it is cool that Run DMC was giving Jay a chance to shine.

I appreciate their efforts in pioneering the rap genre. We’re not getting to Doggy Style or tons of other cool shit without these guys, but man, them 80’s raps are kind or corny. I guess this was amazing way back in the day, but I’m not in any hurry to hear it again anytime soon. 2.5⭐️ rounding up for laying the foundation of what was to come.

Let's be honest: the rapping isn't great. Not really flowing - more talking (yelling?). But the beats are 🔥🔥🔥 and this is hella influential.

One time while I was working a minimum wage job in college I had an argument with a coworker over the beastie boys. His problem was that he thought the beastie boys were slow and terrible rappers who weren’t musically gifted. This is obviously a terrible take but I always assumed it’s just because to him, someone who grew up listening to modern rap music since he was in grade school, he saw the fundamentals of what the BB did in their music done faster in the music he liked. Like how when you hear the original blues version of a classic rock n roll song and it just sounds slower and “less fun”. That’s how I felt about this Run-D.M.C. Album. You can so clearly see the building blocks in this album that will get used to nauseam by other artists. It’s genuinely fascinating in that sense cause you can hear the history and imagine how the other artists discovered this music and then basically sampled it to death. But that’s sort of the problem. I can’t see past that or imagine myself in a world where this music hasn’t been sampled and borrowed from to death. The album came across as exhausting and boring. I’m sure this album was revolutionary for its time, being one of the first actual rap albums but sadly this grape did not age into a fine wine but into a box of raisins that are warm from being left in the car. If you love rap and rap history, this album is for you. If you love modern rap music and what that sounds like today, skip this album. TLDR: the album is dated AF.

“Relax your body, relax your mind, and listen as we say this rhyme” is such a hilarious thing to hear in a hip hop album. Really dated but one of the more influential rap albums out there. It’s Like That is a classic. I’ll round up to a 4.

Never been a rap fan but hard to deny the influence that this early album in the genre had. The rhymes are clever, and some are pretty funny. There is still a small element of rock here too. Plus this contains none of the violence and misogyny that would come to dominate rap for many years after.

While this album was undeniably important to the development of popular music it only had a few tracks I could see myself putting on again for fun. The transition from rock to hip-hop can be heard in the beats and backing tracks of this album (Rock Box most obviously) with the rock drums sounding really good under their rapping. I do think most of the good songs were in the first half of the album, so even though it was not too long I was ready for it to be over by the end.

This was definitely worth a listen despite not knowing anything substantial about the Hip Hop/Rap genre. This album set the stage for a lot of what was to come.

Took me 30 years, but I see why they were the boom of hip hop. Samples for days and wonderful rhythmic flow.

Wow, this didn't age particularly well. Just It's Like That stood out; the rest was meh.

This is cool and definitely important, but the instrumentation is a little sparse for my tastes.

Beats and rhymes are empty and boring. This just hasn't aged well at all. Influential sure, but Grandmaster flash and Sugarhill gang did it better and earlier.

Super dated sounding. It's a long way from here to Kendrick Lamar. Largely earns its three on the basis of It's Like That.

Iconic! Love this. Game-changer.

Not really my jam - but a good listen from a historical perspective.

I hold so much appreciation for these formative albums. I feel like Raising Hell and eventually their contemporaries in Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, LL Cool J are better musically, but this album comes before all of that in time when Sugar Hill Gang and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were first experimenting with this style, Run DMC shows the very foundation that would change the landscape of hiphop forever. Oh and right from the start with Rock Box sampling the guitar riff we saw what would eventually merge the genres together, which has always been a completion of the circle with rock and hiphops ancestral roots in jazz and blues music mixed with developing technologies of the 70's. Turntablism and sampling was a game changer with music and too many people sleep on just how important these albums are even if musically they may seem a lot more primitive. If we consider NWA's Straight Outta Compton the "Nevermind" of hiphop (in that it's an album that changed the landscape of the genre both artistically and commercially), then this album is closer to The Stooge's Fun House or MC5's Kick Out the Jams where you can link back to it as some of the most important albums that inspired the earliest generations of their styles and were already pioneering the definitive style of hiphop in this album years before most of their contemporaries.

Will likely go into my regular rotation

Saw who it was and thought I would like it more than I did.

Alright like

unfortunately a little boring. production and rapping feels comically dated.

Rap is not music. I reiterate. 1/5

I've only heard Raising Hell before but enjoying this so far, always love the old-school shonky electro-y production where you can see the seams. 30 Days is a banger, production is really good and it changes it up from the rest of the album. A solid 3

Bit too old skool for me

It was fine but I doubt I'll listen again

Pretty good but I don’t think I’ll listen again

The rockingest rappers ever, no one did it better than this. Every hugely influential album should be so enjoyable.

Legends of Rap music. The early style is dated by today’s standard. But the attitude and fashion resonated with kids around the world. They’re still fresh. Rock Box is still badass.

Run-D.M.C. needs to stop.

It reminds me of the movie Psycho. Logically, you know it’s important. But it’s been built on so much and improved on so much that the original is kind of corny. Not their fault, though.

they weren't the groundbreakers, but they were the path to mainstream hiphop as what is known today as rap. laying the roadway to something greater, RIP to Jam Master Jay.

O disco é uma eterna lembrança dos filmes dos anos 1980. Um grande divisor de águas, onde o Rap trazia mais leveza e não haviam Diddys e Jays para acabar com o movimento.

Seeing as this was the debut album from Run-DMC and that this was the early days for hip-hop in general, I have to give this a 3 even though it was a fairly boring listen. Most of the beats sounded the same, but at least the lyrics were good.

Not bad, though quite repetitive. I may have crashed my car while listening to this album, so there’s that association. Not my favorite era of hip hop/rap, though I can see its importance.

I love Rock Box. Reminds me of GTA Vice City lol. But I don’t want to sit through a whole album of this. The songs are long and feel like a möbius strip— they come from nowhere and lead to nowhere. I literally scrubbed around “Wake Up” and it would be doing the same part each time. Why have a song be 6 mins long if that’s the case? “It’s Like That” reminded me that I haven’t heard that Jagged Edge song in awhile though. Shit slaps.

Better and more innovative than the Beatles

Important but basic

Old school vibes

Influential but dated. Standout songs: Rock box Sucker MCs Its like that

The beat on Hard Times is a little hokey, but I low-key love the stomp-snap beat with the low bass and cheesy ass horns. The fading between the left and right channel is a nice channel and done very effectively. It's Like That is a standout. On one hand it sounds like almost every other popular 80s rap song of this era (e.g., It's Tricky). On the other, something about the instrumental is deeper and more nuanced. 30 Days feels like Thomas Dolby meets hip-hop. Goofy as hell, but the lyrics parody a certain consumerism culture that has all but taken over at this point. A man with a guarantee I would believe you if you told me this was revolutionary for the time. Today, however, it plays like soooo many other of the one-hit wonders spawned from this particular era of hip-hop. I can absolutely get down with a few tracks at a time, but the boom-bap + shouting gets a little tiring after a while. Credit where it's due though, production really shines here. This is a mid-to-high 3 for me.

2 stars. Don't really like this. The It's tricky son on one of their other albums is a decent song but I couldn't get into this.

I know I rated the last DMC album as a 5, but that was like the third album we got and I was excited. That said, I really like the duet style rapping where they alternate who is saying the lines. The beats here are relatively basic sounding that don't get me too excited. I would say that their rapping is kinda cheesy as well for some of the topics they rap about. Thinking about a 2 here, but I went back and listened to some of the start again and that saved me.

This might be the most 80s sounding album of all time. Not necessarily bad, just not a style that I like at all. The back and forth with the singers, especially on Wake Up, made me think of the sketches they would do on Whose Line is it Anyways where each person could only say 1 word a time to make a song.

Don't think this one lives up to the first album we had at all. I'm sure when it first came out it was pretty revolutionary in this genre, but just seems to me like this one walked so Raising Hell could run.

the songs got a little grating by the end of it but enjoyable overall, it scratches some part of my brain to hear them trade off words when they rap.

wow, this is their debut? these guys came out swinging! run-dmc really had their sound and energy nailed down from day one, so if you like their rap rock sound and high-energy hip-hop stylings, don't sleep on this. the album peaks around the middle and the last couple tracks are longer filler, but otherwise this is solid. favorites: rock box, jam-master jay, sucker mc's, it's like that

I Understand that this is the beginnings of Hip hop and Run DMC needs recognition, but I just found this album to be so repetitive. Raising Hell is a way better album, but like I said this was at the beginning so it's important. I just don't need it in my collection.

the beastie boys if they weren't white

Well it’s rap and previous reviews show my loathing of this genre. But wait - no misogynistic lyrics, no drugs, no knives, no ‘N’ words, no penis infatuation (well as far as I could tell) Is this a rap record I could actually enjoy and like? Not really - in fact not at all. But I suspect the hardcore rappers have no time for this record as well. Not wanting to be on the same side of the fence as those ahem - ‘motherfuckers’ I’ll give it 2 stars because there are one or two nice melodies. 2/5 19/1/25

This is the birth of the sound of 80's hip-hop and as dated as it sounds now, the innovation and progress is undeniable. A ground breaking masterpiece.

This is definitely "boom box" hip hop. Which is cool. Its kind of the evolution are early roots of the genre. You can definitely hear what they're going for and the evolution of the sound. It has fun beats, and cool samples. I think its really cool how they created those sounds and mixed them into music like this. This isn't my favorite RUN album. Its dancey and fun, but it doesn't carry the punch that some of the later albums do. The lyrics are good, but kind of cheesy when matched with the music. I still think its good, and definitely influential for all hip hop. Just not my favorite.

You would think you’d want to listen to this during Hard Times, but only Sucker M.C.’s do that. It’s Like That.

The beginning of hip-hop's mainstream recognition. I miss when enunciation was as much a part of the genre as the beats.

Säkert et märkvärdigt album i sin dag. I dagens läge låter det väldigt föråldrat. Som med anda 80-tals rap album på denhär listan föredrar jag "beatsen" över vokalerna.

For being a pretty early hip-hop album, Run-D.M.C. does it's job pretty well. This is probably one of the earliest hip-hop albums on this project (I believe it is second only to Malcolm Mclaren's Duck Rock in that regard) so it is a pretty basic album especially in it's first half. There are some pretty good songs here however and some weird ones (I'm looking at you, Wake Up) but the good ones are some pretty solid songs. I guess if there is another issue with this album besides it's overly basic nature, I'd say the weird songs do tend to drag for a bit too long which causes their gimmicks to get a little annoying but other than that, This is actually a pretty good early hip-hop album. Best Song: Rock Box Worst Song: Wake Up

Stone cold classic and still sounds fresh after all this time. They’re so young, working with their limitations in such fun creative ways. My little 16 year old suburban mind was blown away by this. This is/was the sound of New York City (ok I know-maybe actually Queens) to me. Before I discovered the pleasures of the Velvet Underground. But that’s another story.

This is #day156 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... here's to da roots of hip-hop! The golden age of hip-hop is not just the epitome of cool. This is when every album and single was breaking new ground. It was experimental, it was interesting… Take Run-DMC's debut. With just 9 tracks, this record hits you like a statement. Irresistible beats, hard-hitting rhymes, and innovative use of samples make it iconic. "Hard Times," "Rock Box," "It's Like That," and "Sucker M.C.'s" (one of the very first diss tracks), this album is full of classics. This is a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day157.

Run, DMC, Jam Master Jay and Russell Simmons were instrumental in the transition of a novelty into a genre that's now 40 years old. So this is of enormous historical importance. But through the lens of time, it sounds quaint. Glad I listened to it. Doubt I'll listen to it again.

Not very inspiring Hip-Hop.

Legends of Rap music. The early style is dated by today’s standard. But the attitude and fashion resonated with kids around the world. They’re still fresh. Rock Box is still badass.

Influential and important, but it doesn’t hold up too well.

Foundational

#457. It's decent, but early hip hop sounds super cheesy now. 3/5: acceptable Song added to playlist: Rock Box I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link

Gear: Fostex TH610 Artwork: 🎩🎩🧱 Production (2000 Remaster): 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🗽🕶️🍼🏛️ Rating: 🏙️🏙️🏙️/5

Not my cup of tea

Time has shown its mark on this one. This is not my cup of tea. The rythm is easy to follow and that catches your attention but it is hard for me to continue paying attention to the lyrics even though this is one of the supposed novelties. When it comes to the backround music, I am not amused. The simplicity and at the same time the feeling that whoever made this is lost and clearly does not know what he has created. I do not judge, you have to take a few steps into the dark to reveal what is behind it but it seems like we are taking every random step to eventually reveal something of value here. I have to say, I am not a big hip hop fan, nor have I ever been, meaning that I do not actually understand how influencial this actually was. One thing I can spot though is that they are not afraid to turn up the bass. I can tell that there is a hint of rock mixed with a lot of beat type sounds. FINAL VERDICT: I am not amused…

Ich habe es probiert, aber für meinen Geschmack waren es zu viel Oberheim und zu viele sprachliche Informationen. Für diejenigen, die es mögen, sicherlich ein gelungenes Werk und für die damalige Zeit revolutionär.

As hip hop goes, it's excellent. I'm just not a big fan of hip hop.

This 1001 list can be so cheeky! Giving me Run DMC right after License To Ill. Makes me want to listen to the list according to time, oldest first. Run definitely walked so BB could run. No doubt RUN DMC had their own influences, but respect for any artist doing their thing with confidence. Rock Box is so sick. 3.5

As far as I know DMC as famous for the Rap/Rock crossover but I can't see any of this here. This was before then and is a repetitive procession of generic tracks.

Influential, fun, and iconic production. It's unquestionable that this style of rap became outdated and kinda washed as rap evolved throughout the years but regardless the punching beats, heavy bass, and charismatic rhyming with no doubt have you bobbing your head even if it's just for a little. All in all it was a fun listen. Top 3 Favorites: Rock Box, Sucker M.C.'s , and It's Like That No bad songs but some songs here and there get repetitive. 3.50/5

Favourite tracks: hard times; rock box; it's like that; 30 days

Szanuję za proste teksty i miłe beaty, ale ten album tak po prostu mi minął bez żadnych emocji. Nawet nie potrafię wybrać jednej piosenki do swojej listy. (Słuchałam tej płyty w pracy i wtramwaju, sleep deprivated, możliwe że to przez to) 2/5

The O.G.s!

Finally a rap album that's shorter than a week and a half! And it's a fun, bouncy album, with the banger "It's Like That" as the highlight. Unfortunately, almost all the tracks sound kinda alike, so it won't get more than 3 stars from me, even though it's enjoyable.

An important recording. A very important recording.

this felt like some of the most stilted, uninspired rap I've ever heard - using a very basic drum machine 2-step beat for every song with not much to spice it up, every line is sung with the same intonation and inflexion towards the end, which is also the only place where the rhyme happens. The lyrics are also quite boring, there's not much clever rhyming, wordplay or clever writing, and all of this results in every song blending together into one goopy slop that gets stale after the first 15 minutes. I wondered if I was too critical and whether this album was just a sign of growing pains of something that would become the "golden age" of hiphop, but then I checked the year and saw that it comes from the same period of time as NWA, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys and Ice T. So I really don't get the hype. All in all it feels like Run-D.M.C made a song that was alright, and then decided to iterate on it slightly to make an entire album. Extremely boring.

It does sound super old, you gotta start somewhere so gotta hand it to em. Will I listen to again: 5%

Now we are talking.

It seems the further back I go into a genre’s history, the less interested I become. The only situation I have found where this is not the case is with jazz, because most of the genre’s most iconic and influential albums came out between the 50s and the 70s. It’s especially true with rock music, and I found out today that it’s probably true for hip-hop as well. I haven’t had the best track record with some of the genres earliest hits, many of which are considered to be landmark achievements. Unfortunately that trend continues with the debut from Run-D.M.C. I need to preface my thoughts by saying that it can’t be understated how immeasurable the impact this group had is and will always be. Just because I don’t enjoy it that much doesn’t mean that can be taken away from them. This was the genesis point of a whole new world for hip-hop, and it is largely responsible for many albums which I love dearly. In many ways, hardcore hip-hop started here. But we have been beyond spoiled by the massive amount of really well put together and quality albums in the same genre from modern times. And in my mind, this does not hold up well enough to even really compare to its successors. This isn’t a bad record by any means. But from a production and lyrical standpoint, this isn’t even close. It’s an incredibly stripped back version of what we know today, and my bias and personal tastes don’t allow for me to really enjoy this. The delivery and lyrics are incredibly simple. And this was during a time where the beat and the rappers themselves weren’t so 50/50. So there are good chunks of songs on here that are just the instrumental. Which aren’t really good enough to make those parts worthwhile. I think it’s definitely important to hear something like this, especially as someone who enjoys the history of hip-hop. But this isn’t something I would ever want to revisit on my own time. Rating: 5/10

Very fun album, glad I gave it a listen

Hip hop, we go to the park and shake hands. Go to the park and shoot some hoops, doot doodle oop doot doot doot

Hip hop is still a mystery to me, and this doesn't help at all. Tacky midi orchestral hits over a drum machine and synchronised shouting.

I like this for the sake of nostalgia and their influence. 3.5 stars.

This was such a fun revisit. I do like to kick back with some old school rap now and then.

Simple by today’s metric but the beats and MC chemistry still stand apart. Jam-Master Jay and It’s Like That are the stand-out tracks.

Yeah it's good, obviously good I probably don't like it as much as I thought and it's probably because of the last track. The known songs are good, album tracks are good. It's good. But it's not AMAZING

An album that by any normal means I should hate. Sparse, just basically drum machine and rap. But it's just got something that makes it maybe of its time but also very listenable. We all know it was influential and what it led to and it's still got a charm.

Fav song: It’s Like That Another super important album in the world of East coast hip hop. Some great singles on this one but man, the production on the majority of this album is terrible - the drum samples are dreadful and a lot of the songs consist of just rapping and drums.

not bad but a bit repetitive?

I was surprised by how much I didn't think it felt aged. Especially comparing it to NWA though I think on a 5 scale its a 3. High 3 vs a low 3 for NWA. Sucker MCs on notice!

could i write poetry to this? y

Although this album debuted a harder, less disco style of Rap Music, the rhymes and cadence are now viewed as typical for the time. The boasting (i.e. "My name is [insert MC name here], and I'm here to say...") and disses ("Sucker MC's") seem innocent and are now frequently mocked. The lone exception is "Rock Box", which began the crossover of Rap and Rock Music. This concept was explored much further on their next album, "King of Rock", which I think is more important record and more deserving to be on this list.

I get why this album is a big deal, but man it is hideously dated. There’s just not a lot here that I find engaging. Best song: 30 Days

Hip hop, it started out in the park

Cool beats, not a fan of the songs though. Will check out more.

the writing isn't anything special but the production is what is still fresh to this day.

Yeah, not sure I get them. All of the songs sound very similar and repetitive. Not for me.

Not my favorite of the old school hip hop records. Very same-y.

Classic rap album

Perfect 90s hip hop vibe

I remember some of these songs being more uptempo. Too much of the same beat in all the songs made the album seem like one long song.

This was fun and their back and forth flow is cool, however I have to say it was very samey. The beats were all similar and the flow was the exact same on each song. I get why it's here though and it is a cool album to listen to

Old skoolest of the old Skool. Mind numbingly primitive - both the tapping and the “music”. Clearly they had a discount on those handclaps 2.4

Lots of fun, mostly playful lyrics with a few serious songs. Production is funky but barebones. You can definitely hear the roots of what would explode into hip-hop as a whole. Tempo remains the same throughout, but luckily the album is short. An important record, but ultimately not worth a revisit. Favorite song: Rock Box

classic rap

Corny 80s rap just isn't really my thing.

Dated. Lacks any variation in the songs so became tedious.

important? influential? yes on both counts, is it any good? not really.

Rating: 2.4

It started with a pretty decent song. And many pretty identical songs followed.

Really liked it, not as much as Raising Hell but still really enjoyable.

It's run DMC

8/10. I got Raising Hell in the database four days ago. Neither of the albums disappointed. Alternating words is a really interesting concept. :)

This sounds so much like a parody of old school hiphop that you forget that these are the guys they are parodying. And while I think they are able to do a lot with very little in terms of sample, inspiring Beastie Boys don't get you too far in my book.

Not as good as raising hell and kinda repetitive

ta weno pero no se escucha dnvo creo

Fuck I miss MCs rapping about rapping and how to spell their names.

This is better then newer hip hip releases. I don’t know what exactly I like here but it’s awesome.

An interesting benchmark for seeing how this genre has evolved over the past 40 years. So it's obviously influential and seminal and stuff. And capital-D dated.

Shite, juvenile rapping. We're come a long way since the 80's

Early genre weirdness

Pioneering and fun. Would I ever put this on to just jam out? Probably not, but it’s still cool.

I'm not a fan of rap at all, but I understand why this makes the list. But it's kinda laughable today.

Good album not their best. Still easy to listen to and good old school type rap

Fine. Decent for early 80s rap

Actually really enjoyed this Not my usual listening

Rap just ain’t for me

This is why I don’t really like hip hop as a genre. Rubbish!

I for one love to be reminded of hip hop’s younger days before its misogynyistic and violent growth spurt. May be hard to stick with the entire album but there are key songs to hear (quick! before you die!) - Hard Times, Rock Box, Jam Master Jay, and It’s Like That. There are other good songs as well, but I find myself surprised they are only half over when I think they are about to “rap up.”

3.5 good

I know why this album is on the list, but frankly, I can’t even imagine a time when this was considered impressive lyricism. The lyrics sound like playground rhymes we used to sing in elementary school. “Boys go to Jupiter to get more stupider” type rhymes. Sorry Dad…

My favourite of this era of hip hop but still not quite my thing.

I try my best with rap/hip hop, but after 3 rap albums on the run I can safely say it does nothing for me.

Very dated but super influential

Non malvagio, ma non bello come 'Raising Hell'

Rap legends. Always nice to hear how well they do the vocal interplay between them and finish each others sentences. I don't like it as much as raising hell and it really feels primitive at times but a good album nonetheless.

Run DMC er evigt hyggelige og deres 4 første albums er all timers

Måske et hot take, men jeg synes faktisk den her var federe end Raising Hell. Virkelig fed impulsiv energi, elsker de hyper minimalistiske beats. De sidste par numre er desværre lidt flade.

Great album with a lot of back and forth in the vocals, which makes it pretty fun and unique (to Run-D.M.C. at least) I still remember watching a Quake III frag movie some time early 00's where "It's Like That" was used... Good times..

Good Lod. Forty Years. It's difficult to imagine how groundbreaking this was back in '84. Wasn't really a fan back then, but like your gran's baking, there a certain nostalgia for things. It's still impressive in '24, and certainly deserves it's place in the 1001.

Not really my thing sorry run DMC

3 - I feel like it's super influential, but after a while dragged a little bit. Enjoyed, but not as much as I was hoping to

This might be one of those albums that I think is a very apt inclusion on the list, but not actually a very good album. Hip Hop has come so far from these basic beginnings. The flow is so painfully predictable, the beats are mostly formulaic (save for the interesting Rock Box), and some tracks are just awkwardly devoid of instrumentation. There’s still moments like the aforementioned Rock Box and the iconic It’s Like That, but not an album I’d dive back into. Fave Tracks: Rock Box, It’s Like That 2.7/5

i love their style, the going back and forth they do is classic but it really ads dynamic to their songs

This does not sound modern. There is no doubt about that, but it is to be expected in the same way Buddy Holly didn't sound modern when I heard his album. I knew only some of Run-DMC's hit songs and only It's Like That off this album. I really like the synths on Hard Times and It's Like That, plus the guitar on Rock Box is pretty revolutionary. Wake Up is still relevant, of course. Like the broken record I am, some of the songs could have used some editing. 30 days is about one minute too long. Very influential album and I did enjoy listening to it even I may not revisit it frequently. Absolutely should be in this book, because without this album I don't know if there is a lot of 80's rap like LL Cool J and the Beastie Boys.

I seem to get hip hop albums in waves. This one isn't as bad as some of the others. Coming from the super early days of the genre, it's not so much glorification of drugs, misogyny, guns, sexual assault, violence, hating women, using women, that the genre has turned into. It is pretty monotonous still but in sort of a different way than hip hop is now. The lyrics are still dumb but not as bad as more recent hip hop I guess. It's actually kind of funny to see how tame this genre was in its infancy compared to what it's grown into. All in all, I'd give this album like a 1.5, I'll round up because it's mercifully short at about 40 minutes.

One of the most impactful groups of early hip-hop, no doubt. While I feel their songs don’t hold up quite as well as those by other legends like Eric B. & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, or De La Soul, this album is undeniably a classic. That said, it comes off a bit bland and repetitive for my taste.

Copy and paste my review of every late 80s and early 90s rap album. There’s nothing that I need to listen to from this time period.

I enjoyed this quite a bit, and I really thought I wouldn't They have a great positivity and message, and you can really see why they and the Beastie Boys collaborated so hard in the 80s. It was nice to hear It's Like That in its pure, un-Jason Nevined form.

# 319 : I don't love it, I don't hate it, I can listen to it, a couple of things stood out. I think Its OK, I could listen to it. Very catchy couple of tunes… but I still hate Rap! Fave Track : It's Like That.

I’ve reviewed a couple of other Rap albums for this project already. Rap is not my genre of choice, but I enjoyed listening to this. Based on my limited knowledge of Rap in general, it’s hard for me to assign a rating. I did enjoy listening to it, so I think that warrants a 3.5/5, and ill round up to 4

Sooo dated, it’s almost funny now. No, definitely funny.

The beats are pretty stripped down and the rapping definitely sounds dated, but you can hear the hard edge here that would inspire the next gen of hip hop. Rock Box is where it's at though, with its big guitar riff underpinning it. A preview of Walk This Way. The single It's Like That is still good. I'm not in a hurry to listen to all this again, but I respect it.

Cool view of the earlier days of rap. I enjoyed it for the most part, but it's not really my style

This album is sort of like the Bible or Shakespeare -- as I listened to it I heard lines that I've heard referenced many times but never knew they had an origin. The prime example of this is "all you sucker MCs". I appreciate the historical impact and importance of this album, but ultimately didn't feel grabbed by any specific song. I love how much it has influenced hip hop, but don't think I'll listen to this one again.

whack as hell wtf

I thought this was just ok. I don't think I will seek this out again. There were a couple of point where I enjoyed myself but for the most part I just found it to be too silly. Having trouble choosing a 2 or 3 star review - choosing 3 because it was enjoyable overall.

Gitaarstukjes wel lachen, beter dan Wu Tanf

Una buena base ritmica no es suficiente para sostener un disco. Sin ser anglosajón pierde mucho.

Start of a great era in music, tho it's not ny favourite

A true classic. Maybe a little dated but still iconic.

Run DMC was very influential yes. But this is 30mins of VERY repetitive dated beats.

Why 'practice rap' is on the list, no one knows

Not my fav type of hip hop but the lyrics were kinda creative in this outing.

Pretty good classic hip-hop.

Didn't like. Boring beats

Rock Box and It’s Like That were great, the rest was rather middling

I mean, it's 80s hip-hop. What do you want me to say? I'm just kidding. Apparently if I start my review like that it ends up being more popular than my other reviews. But yes, I do have things to say about this one. For one, Run-D.M.C. is one of the most iconic hip-hop groups of all time, certainly more iconic than some of the other 80s/early 90s hip-hop groups I've gotten. And with this being their debut, I can see why this is here. Although, I would say Raising Hell makes more sense for inclusion. Fortunately, It's also included on the list, so we'll be seeing how good it is later. As for their self-titled debut, I think it's a solid album. It's not amazing or anything, but it's fun and it does the job. It's quite influential in the development of hip-hop, and I can tell. It still sounds a bit dated, but it's better for an album to be a bit dated in the sound department than for it to have aged poorly in the lyrical department. Speaking of which, the writing is similarly fun. I think my favorite song is "It's Like That," which says some good things about society. Some songs do still do that thing early hip-hop groups do where they rap about themselves and their origin story or whatever, but at least these guys do it pretty well. The beats are decently well made. The actually rapping is entertaining. This album's alright. I like it. High 3/5.

Iconic "It's like that" is on here. I'm usually not into hip-hip, but I like this.

Such a great debut, Run D.M.C. Knows how to make fun hip hop and the demonstrate that on their first release. They start strong on the opener, I really liked the breathy loop they had going on in the background. Rock Box lets everyone know that they’re willing to mix in some rock, they formally introduce Jam Master Jay on track three, It’s Like That is the hit that pulled everyone in. The beat on Wake Up may be my favourite that they made on the album. I had fun all the way thru, not quite as strong as Raising Hell but still awesome. 4 stars

Yep! Still holds up. Classic that’s all there is to say

It's a little dated but still damn good

A classic but maybe not one that’s stood the test of time.

Classic OG

Not my favourite rap / hip-hop album or artist but I respect the shit out of them. Probably remember this more for saving Adidas than anything else. First time proper listen in years.

Great background party music

This is Run DMC? These guys suck. The rhymes, the flow, the beats, none of it stood the test of time.

Not a rap fan

I used to love this album, but I don’t think it aged all that well for me.

for someone who is not a fan of hip hop and wasn't even born when this album came out, understanding its cultural significance is hard, if not impossible. hip hop has come far in the last few decades and from the modern perspective, this album is kind of... simple. that being said, I did find it tolerable, which is more than I can say about the likes of Jay-Z and 50 Cent. also, Rock Box is kind of a bop

Not my taste

I'm sure that it is historically important, and I do appreciate some of their other music. This album felt super lame, though. It was really slow, and the lyrics were pretty bland.

I’m sure this was super fresh back in ‘84 but it does sound pretty basic and repetitive 40 years later. Better things to come.

Sounds almost minimalist by today's output.

Dated as hell, but I understand the importance and this is certainly a must-listen for any genre, especially hip-hop.

Старый динамичный хип-хоп, танцевальный. Совсем не моё.

Hard Times Rock Box Sucker M.C.'s (Krush-Groove 1) It's Like That

hip hop isn't exactly my forte but certainly this isn't a must hip hip album ....

Never heard this before. Wasn't sure what to expect, but I really like this. I like the spare production and the varied sound. "We're risin', surprisin', and often hypnotizin' "

Some of it was very repetitive but there were a couple of tunes that I can imagine listening to again.

Wow, this feels like an 80's time capsule. "Cause Calvin Klein's no friend of mine Don't want nobody's name on my behind" Even that is reminiscent of the 80's "Back to the Future" movie! Hip Hop is not my thing, but I do appreciate this for what it was historically and I can listen to a song or two at a time and enjoy it ironically at least. Mostly this sounds like a few guys having fun. "The C's for cool, cool as can be (And why you wear those glasses?) So I can see".

On this episode of "The IT Crowd", Moss (Richard Ayoade) and his friend practice their hip-hop rap for the talent show at the local middle school.

I know this album is of historical importance, but I was underwhelmed...a bit dull and repetitive.

Enjoyed it a lot for the first 15/20mins, but it got samey, fast. By track 8 I forgot it was even still playing. Select parts are decent, I like the sound itself and it’s a record that definitely defines an era. But it aint all my cuppa tea. 2.5

This definitely falls in the 'groundbreaking and influential but not very good by today's standards' category. The other run DMC album we had is much better, the flow is identical on every track here. I understand why you'd have both on the list though seen as this one changed the game. Again, good lads, no hint of gangster rap, much appreciated. But the whole album is a variation one idea. 2.5.

The simplicity of the beats helps to underscore the straightforward lyrics. A relic - however, very listenable. It's Like That, and Rock Box, are the best tracks. 3.5.

Might have been pretty inspirational and important to the genre, but, as a lot of reviews point out, the rapping style doesn't really hold up or stand the test of time. Come a long way in 40 (!) years. Very simplistic compared to some of the artists we have now and which I prefer It's like that is obviously iconic and the standout track. Won't be rushing back. 2.5

This was entirely uninteresting to me. I zoned out till it finished. Rock box was the only song that saves this from 1 stars. Stand-out: Rock Box

Alright I guess

Favorite Track: Rock Box Almost a 2

It's not good. It's so dated, and there's not really anything to it at all. Every song is so samey, with incredibly basic beats and rhymes over the top. I found the whole thing really boring. 1.5 rounded up.

I will agree with most of the other (good) reviews and say that this was extremely influential and important, and also sounds very dated these days.

First listen Saved 1/9 Top track: Rock Box

Day201 - classic,nostalgic,influential and just plain fun. it’s like that

Groundbreaking rap but sounding a little dated today.

I hate this style where they end the sentence on a strong emphasis. “Blah blah blah blahblahBLAHBALH BALHHHHHH”

Minimal and sparse hip-hop from the early days. It's of its time, which means it's not something I would go out of my way to listen to again, but it was interesting and I enjoyed it enough to give it 4 stars.

It's a very important piece of hip-hop history, obviously it comes off very simplistic in hindsight, but at the time I'm sure it was mind-blowing. Have to give it respect for that, and 'It's Like That' and 'Rock Box' I actually think still hold up as great tracks today.

Compared to the gangsta-rap from the 90's, this album is tame. No references to criminal activities, no swearing, no over-indulgence or undo self-promotion: I could listen to the whole thing without wincing.

Ground-breaking debut. Lots of great songs and I love the beats and the back and forth rapping. But this album isn't nearly as good as Raising Hell. I can tell things were still kind of getting figured out, couple songs fall flat for me

That was pretty epic in 1984. Unique. Predecessors of hardcore rap. I'm saying it just the way it is.

This album cannot be critiqued without context. Simple: this was the world’s first major tap production. Comparatively, it’s not great but for what it was it was revolutionary. Sucker MC’s still holds up, and Jam Master Jay, DMC and Rev Run later even perfected many of these songs. Still a classic

Run DMC were rap and hip hop pioneers. They will always be one of my favorites. If I had been a bit older and cooler I would have known about Run DMC when this album came out. Instead, I learned about them when Raising Hell came out and I saw them on MTV. This sounds so old now but it was truly revolutionary at the time. My favorite tracks are "It's Like That", "Sucker MCs" and "Hard Times". While not my favorite Run DMC album, total respect for completely changing the game.

Pretty good

I get how this album makes this list because of its first of its kind nature and influence on rap. But as a stand alone work it doesn’t really hold up today. It sounds kinda silly and simple.

I haven't listened to this entire album for a long time, probably since the 90s. Reznor masters mood, angst, lust, hunger. It originally came out just in time for my teenage years, and the only thing I loved more than the music was the videos. Upon revisiting, I can genuinely appreciate the ebb and flow, quiet spaces, then pounding beats with his voice screaming over them. I would sum it up with one word: sex.

I heard a Little Richard's Good Golly Miss Molly on the radio today and I was taken by how good it sounded. Even with all the advancements made in recording and the evolution of musical styles over the last 60+ years - that song as well as a lot of music of the era still sound good. I can't necessarily say the same this about Run DMCs debut. Important as a cultural artifact - Rock Box does not have the same affect now as it did back in the 80s as an actual song. Fun as nostalgia but impossible to separate from the era.

good but not great, didn't seem to flow as well as imagined

Great, I enjoyed listening to this.

Quaint by todays standards but groundbreaking for its time.

An album of its time, with just as much social commentary as its modern equivalent, but with out the shock tactics and bad language. And to be fair, I enjoyed it. Gets a 3 from me.