Reviews (page 6 of 7)
Classic hip-hop beats, shows how far rap has evolved.
Even if you're only a passing listener to hip-hop, this is an album that bears repeated listening.
Liked some of the songs but the music was sometimes repetitive…..blast from the 80’s!
Kan setta pris på litt 80-talls hiphop i blant
Solid 3 Idk about replay though. It was innovative and fresh and that is most of its value to me
Alright but a bit same same after a while
OG album. What's not to like!?
On their debut, Run-D.M.C. clearly sets out to revolutionize the hip hop genre. And they largely accomplish that through an aggressive style that mixes early hip hop with rock and social awareness. However, some great ideas for beats or sounds aren’t enough to carry a whole song, and the chanted flow of the vocals gets worn out.
It feels so basic now, but points for paving the way.
love the rock sampling on rock-box - other than that it's all pretty good.
Liked it! Throwback vibes.
Yea it was tight
Without Run-D.M.C., hip-hop would probably never reach the heights it eventually would and it all starts with this album. With minimalist beat blasting from one of the genre's finest ever DJs (R.I.P. Jam Master Jay), a venture into rock that serves as a precursor for grander statements and the everlasting chemistry of the group's namesakes, this debut is proof that hip-hop has the ability to scale greater heights. Favorites: Hard Times, Rock Box, Jam Master Jay, Hollis Crew, It's Like That, Wake Up.
It was ok, pretty generic to me...
Record scratchin, beats slappin, brothers rappin. It’s like that.
Didnt finish kinda boring
Surprised that I enjoyed this one
Classic Hip Hop - a little dated, but an amazing throwback to the founding of hip-hop.
3/5 definitely felt the age of the album. Also can tell the influence it had on the Beastie Boys. Liked parts of it, as a whole its fine.
Imaju rispekt za sve što su izdefinisali u početku hip hopa, međutim nije moj štih baš. Zato trojka.
Ik kende er niets van, was verbaasd hoe goed het was.
Good stuff
fue divertido pero cuánto tiempo puedo escuchar música así? (no mucho) 6.5 de 10 im saur sorry
80s hip hop, debut album. I have def never listened to a rn dmc album before in it's entirety. i like the beats and the instrumentals of the songs. i'm wondering if they influenced the beastie boys or if the beastie boys influenced them. This is more tolerable to me than the beastie boys i think. it's repetitive but not bad. i like the guitars and drums used in these rap songs. something we don't hear enough of in current hip hop.
Very sparse and rudimentary, but the energy and personality is there
Lustiga gossar
Väldigt föråldrad stil, vilket gör det svårt för mig att verkligen njuta av det. Skivan är ändå trevlig att lyssna på men lite lång. .
Such an odd album. It's so sparse but it really works.
This album feels pretty dated but it was still kinda cool to hear an important piece of hip hop history. For the first "hard" hip hop album of its time, it still has a lot of charisma and character. Run and DMC have a lot of chemistry together and I liked their raw, in-your-face attitude. The production here is super stripped down by today's standards but I think it complements their energy. It's Like That, Rock Box (always love guitar on a rap song) and Hard Times are the standouts here. "Sucka MC" is an all time diss.
I will admit their flow is a little repetitive, but I respect the uniqueness of their sound. You always know when it's Run DMC.
Run-D.M.C. doing Run-D.M.C. stuff
A bit repetitive. Still legends and a great debut. Just didn’t age that well for me.
Bueno está el "It's like that" y es su primer disco y son pioneros del hip hop por lo que se merecen más que un respeto. Aún así el disco se hace un poco repetitivo.
This is fine but I prefer the more refined style of Raising Hell
Not bad. Enjoyed the beats.
Fun to listen to some old-school hip hop. Songs were pretty similar but good
Pretty repetitive but still a fun listen.
You can hear the influence of this album in decades of hip hop after this was released which is so cool. Beats are solid, just more repetitive which made the album overall less interesting.
Really liked Rock Box, most of the rapping was too slow, nothing as good as "Tricky" on this album.
Pretty standard run dmc, at least sucka mcs is on this one
I wanted to like but it just didn’t get under my skin
I’m sure it’s influential, but the delivery is too dated for me. Great instrumentals though.
I hate hip hop with a passion. Yet, strangely, I can actually listen to this. It's maybe because modern rappers try too hard to be misogynistic wannabe"gangstas", or the fact that image rules over musical talent nowadays. On this album, I even like the background tracks that display some real talent and craftsmanship, albeit with an 80s vibe, which is an added bonus for me. The dual vocals sound very cool and more badass than any modern artist from the genre could ever pretend to be. So, yeah, a nice surprise here. For me, only one question then remains: When and where did Hip Hop go so wrong? But for this album I'm awarding 3/5.
Apple Music has this under the genre of 'Old School Rap'. Is it Jason Nevin's fault that most of this album sounds like it's playing too slow?
It's a hiphop classic, and you know where a lot of famous bands got their sounds from. Still, it' decidedly simplistic album, beats wise and lyric wise. Some songs are quite catchy though. Jay's Game, Rock Box and Sucker MC's in particular.
They've definitely got a formula for songwriting. Stand out tracks - Wake up - it's like that -hard times
Loved the music and beats. The actual rapping seemed a bit basic.
Tässä aistii hyvin, että ollaan historiallisen teoksen äärellä. Vaikka vaikea tätä on ihan tosissaan enää kuunnella. Mut edelleen välittyy hyvä fiilis ja on tossa raakuudessa jotain viehättävääkin.
This just sounds quaint. After reviewing the Aerosmith record a few days ago, nice to have Run-DMC here as well. I actually really enjoyed this record and the production. The raps seem so obvious that even this white dude can finish the rhymes before hearing them. People must have lost their minds hearing this. That makes me happy. I was two years old. Totally missed it.
This brings back memories of the older kids break-dancing in the canteen when I was in Year 1.
run dmc
not bad run dmc!
Not bad rap
It's like that blijft een verrukkelijke plaat. Verder kon ik het ook goed hebben.
Though not my style, i respect it for the time and place and how it was changing/inventing rap music at the time. I don't think the drum machines and production really stand up too well today, but it is still an interesting listen.
My name is Tim and I'm here to say // RUN-DMC has influenced hip-hop today. Some tracks definitely aged better than others, It's Like That is still a banger, but as a relic of its time, it's cool to hear the mixed use of techno, rock and R&B on their sound.
A pivotal hip hop record that feels very much like a relic of it's time. The one-word tradeoff raps just feel a little awkward. While the divorce from disco/soul samples opened the door for so many other acts who pushed rap forward, I'm not finding a lot of replay value outside of some of the big hits. It's Like That is a heavy-hitter, though! Favourite tracks: It's Like That, 30 Days, Sucker M.C.'s, Rock Box
I both like and dislike the the 80s rap. I for sure like it better than current rap, but there are plenty of times I find the meter, beats, and rhythms too pedantic.
Je sais que ces albums ont aidé à définir le rap tel qu'il est aujourd'hui, mais ce genre de early rap me laisse toujours un drôle de feeling akward.
After the advent of disco rap (and hip-hop in general), it had become stagnant by the early 80's. Enter Run-DMC, specifically with producer Larry Smith who innovated the genre with hard-hitting drums and bombastic, in-your-face MCing. Run DMC also switched up the style of hip-hop, dropping the disco glam of the 70's for cool leather jackets and street sneakers (see: My Adidas). If that's not enough to convince you of this album's importance, I don't know what is. As for the music itself, it's certainly dated by out current standards of hip-hop. Flow is a bit rigid and simple, production is completely 80's with their drum machine sounds and synths, and lyrics are....interesting. For something so ground-breaking and innovative, Run-DMC's debut is well-made, though not a great album by any means. Run-D.M.C. gets a C for effort.
Classic 80's Hip-Hop at its best, "It's Like That" & "Hollis Crew" are standout for me. Yes can see why this is on the list
I'm not that familiar with hip-hop, but I like the beats here
Nothing quite as good as "It's Tricky"
Obviously dated but the guitar´s riffs and licks in the "Rock Box" make it renew
Realized I'm not a Run-DMC fan after all. Just not my style.
Seems like a simple fun album, but not really for me. "It's Like That" and "30 Days" my favourite songs on the album.
Fun
it's tricky
tof maar niets speciaal
Well I have to say if it had Its Tricky on it probably would have added an extra star, but sadly no. However, I did enjoy a lot of this!
Appreciate the rock elements of Run-DMC. Seems so sparse and uncomplicated compared to some modern hip-hop.
I wish I could give it a 3.5, I liked it more than a 3 but not quite a 4. A few songs were bops but I didn't love this as much as I expected to.
This is one I really wanted to like, after hearing about its place in hip-hop history. It sounds influencial, but not something I want to add to my listening rotation. It's Like That is the standout favourite.
Historically significant but didn't do much for me! Comparing it to Kanye's debut or even Jeru the Damaja's, there's a world of evolution. But gotta respect the ones who did it first. Interesting blend of 80s styles with the shred guitar on some tracks though.
Enjoyed it. Quite samey though I'm not sure I could listen to it over and over without getting tired of the formula. Even two playthroughs was enough for me to 'get it'.
I mean, it's Run DMC. I'll always be a fool for Run DMC. I think a lot of what they do is still pretty tight by modern standards even though the sound is very 80s.
Except It's Like That, I was bored, frankly.
I'm sure this was pretty groundbreaking at the time of its release. Not my favorite style of music, but I can appreciate it. 3 stars.
Stripped back, early hip-hop. Despite not being my favourite genre, hard to not appreciate this.
Ich sehe mich schon mit der Boombox durch die Stadt ziehen. Schöner Oldschool Hip Hop der mir sehr viel mehr gefallen hat als Kendrick Lamar. Mit Message und ohne das N-Wort. Leider was den Beat angeht und den Flow aus heutiger Sicht etwas eintönig. Mein Kopf hat genickt
Not the best
Not my usual go-to genre but this was quite enjoyable.
Hasn't aged well at all.
Rock Box ALL DAY
ωραίο, απλό
Whats not to love with RUN DMC!
// Favs: Rock Box Score: Decent to Strong 3
This was much better than their other albums. It was actually fun to listen. I still can't decide if I love or hate the whole let-me-say-word-then-you-say-word.
Revolutionary work, but not yet perfected. Lacks hooks to really take the songs further.
Important rap album but the combination of funky beats and short back and forth rap isn't my favourite
I like it. Dated, but a big deal. Fun. Probably a 2 but I'll give it a 3.
Style so specific to an era So many samples and everything else, this is foundational for hip-hop 10 years later More social / political than I remember
I know it marks me out as a Hip Hop unsophisticate, but I had a hard time getting into this. The sound was so stripped down and elemental, alongside the uniform rat a tat cadence of the rapping. I appreciate this intellectually but I wouldn’t seek it out.
Sounds pretty dated now but still some solid tracks
Heel herkenbare sound, met simpele, repetitieve beats, wat er wel wat voor zorgt dat veel nummers op elkaar lijken
Disco pionero en cuanto a los primeros acordes de Rap y hip-hop. Sintetizadores y efectos a patadas. Sin grandes alardes.
First Listen. I know and loved RUN-D.M.C. more for their next couple albums. This album has an undeniable style of RUN-D.M.C., just hearing it takes me back to 1984. 3/5.
Popular/mainstream rap.
Old school rap roots that paved the way for a lot of people. In the 80s I’d imagine this was amazing music. To hear it now it seems very rudimentary. I don’t love it but I can respect the talent of what was made. 6.4/10
5/10 liked drum machine/beat; some lyrics didnt like rap flow/style
This album is a certified slapper
Dr: surprised at how sparse this is. Voice and drum machine basically. Just a dream was so wholesome!
I appreciate this is a significant album from the genesis of the rap genre but it sounds really basic and dated. The flow of the record feels repetitive and becomes very boring to my ears.
I appreciate that it was a groundbreaking and original album for Hip Hop music in 1984, but I honestly didn't enjoy the overall sound.
These good credit score ass raps 💔
Objectively quite terrible but still took the rap game by storm
As much as Jagged Little Pill was rooted in the 90s, this is just as rooted in the 80s and 20x more dated. Seriously, props to these legends and pioneers in the hip-hop genre, they paved the way for a ton of rap acts I love. That said: this wasn’t very good. The beats were so vanilla I expected it to come with sprinkles. The flow is choppy and, this is not hyperbole, every track sounded the same to the point I thought it was just one long verse. I hate to do it, but I didn’t really like much of anything on this record - it’s gonna be a 2/5 for me
Number: 161 Date: 06/13/2026 Artist: Run-D.M.C. Album: Run-D.M.C. Year: 1984 Style: New School Hip Hop Familiarity: Aware (2) Rating: 2 Before: ======= This might be OK. It's a far ways from The Doors though, which I had yesterday and gave a 5. During: ======= Starting off with Hard Times, it does sound pretty dated and extremely simple, kind of like a nursery rhyme. I hope it gets better after this one. Yep, it does. It's a pity about the opener though. Rock Box is OK but after that there's not much to say other than wtf, why is this on the list. Rating Track Name 1 Hard Times 4 Rock Box 2 Jam-Master Jay 1 Hollis Crew (Krush-Groove 2) 1 Sucker M.C.'s (Krush-Groove 1) 2 It's Like That 1 Wake Up 1 30 Days 1 Jay's Game ----------------------------------------------------- 1.62 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths) After : ======= The only track I liked at little is Rock Box. I gave it a 4 but that's being a bit generous. After doing a little research, I get that this is an important album but I have to rate it a 2 personally, as I can't see myself being able to sit through this whole album ever again. 2 my personal rating 4 suitability for this list 4 impact ----------------------------------------------- 3.3 composite rating
80s hip hop. Debut. New harder form of hip hop. Very minimalist beats,
this was fine but a bit samey and boring
Decent old school hip hop. Although corny, it was interesting to listen to old flows that have died out. Some of the beats were more interesting than I expected.
This album fundamentally important to what followed. So much so that it sounds like a self-parody. However, historical importance does not correlate strongly with listenability, which for me it lacks.
Really disappointed in this. It's influential and you can tell, but it is the start of something good, not something good Best Song: It's Like That Rating: 4/10 Stars: 2
every song sounds the same, the format is just talking with longer than usual pauses in between, the only good thing is that it's over, mid
dois gurizes having fun. imagino que o status de lenda aqui seja pela influência.
Suenan bastante similares todas las canciones. 3/10
I'm sure at the time this sound felt new and exciting but by today's standards this just felt boring. Especially in the production as it felt like a one trick pony the whole time. No interesting samples or variability, and forgettable vocals and bars. Still not unlistenable though. 2/5
Pretty eh, mostly feels like just talking and album felt rather long.
This style of hip hop is just definitely not for me unfortunately.
Revolutionary album that didn't age well #1004901283091
nothing really stood out
Yeah was never gonna age well, important for its time
From the Vault #7 (January 7, 2026) Cool. Run D.M.C. For a while I thought these guys were called "Run for the D.M.C.". I've no clue why, but I'm pretty sure I got their name mixed up with Run For the Cube somewhere along the way. I know they're considered to be pioneers within the genre and that they released a disastrously bad album (produced by the frontman for Third Eye Blind of all people) during a period of career resurgence in the 2000s. It's unfortunate that these guys only have two book entries, but in all fairness hip-hop artists have a pretty ephemeral time in the limelight. Yeah, this is perfectly fine... at first. That's glowing praise coming from an esteemed, major league hip-hop hater such as myself. The sound of this album is pretty interesting. It has that old school hip-hop feel, albeit with a more minimal, atmospheric sound. I could appreciate some peace and quiet at first, though it very quickly becomes awkward. There's so much dead air, and the vocals move at a glacial pace when compared with what I'm used to from the genre. While I could appreciate part of the atmosphere, the instrumentals are completely air-headed. I could probably count the number of instruments and effects used on this album with one hand, and the actual compositions are quite dreary and dull. This album's shinining beacon of hope, however, is in the vocals. The singers are very adept when it comes to this style and delivery, which I perceive to be the sole reason for their success. Book time. "...blew up and paved the way for rap music to follow." "...perhaps the most influential rap album of all time." Pivoted away from the established hip-hop formula - this is more rock-centric. Minimalist. "...infancy of battle rap". I won't question this entry any further. It appears to be in here on good authority. I cosign this inclusion.
Michael Scott y Dwight Schrute??? 😳
Wasn't bad. Just felt extremely dated
I’ve always had a soft spot for old school hip hop, but this is dated in a pretty bad way. Shame, I enjoyed their other album in this list.
I like how they swap who's singing with basically every word, I thought that was pretty cool. Other than that, all the songs sounded the same. There was some uniqueness in it, but it just didn't stand out.
We 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 questionable in quality 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 only about 40 minutes long.
me senti no episodio que o chris vira dj e arranha o disco da rochelle
4/10 Best songs: Rock Box As a historical artifact, this is very interesting - this is an unparalleled snapshot of early rap/hip-hop. But the other reviews are not lying: this album is very dated, with some really dumb, corny lyrics and not-so-great rhymes. I do find it charming, with a few interesting/appealing songs, but whether it's good or not is debatable. Even though my rating is low, I think it definitely belongs on this list.
Not for me...
Mittwoch, der 22.04.2026 ~ Mittag ~ Am Landwehrkanal gehört - am Dösen in der Sonne, zwischen meinen Arbeitsschichten.
My wife calls it Rap for Teenage White boys. I just call it crap.
I get that this was super important to rap history but maaaan it does not hold up
Didn't age all that well.
Well, these were definitely all Run-D.M.C. songs. You can tell because they all sound exactly the same.
Going into Run-D.M.C. by Run-D.M.C., I knew it was going to sound dated, but this really feels old. Which is fair, it is an old record, but the style of rapping just isn’t for me. I can absolutely hear how influential it is, and it clearly deserves all the recognition it gets, but the beats, the delivery and even the lyrics just don’t age that well to my ears. It’s pretty stripped back and repetitive, and I found myself having to power through parts of it. There are some fun moments though, and “Rock Box” was a highlight. But yeah, overall, just not for me. Wine pairing? Maybe a cheap, no-nonsense house red. Something straightforward and a bit rough around the edges, like a basic Cabernet or table wine. Food pairing? Fast food feels right. A greasy burger and fries, something simple and unapologetic. Vinyl? No, not really. Overall 2 out of 5, unfortunately.
I know that this is supposed to be a very special kind of music that shaped modern day rap, but I don't like it whenever there's not too much melody but instead they're just talking. I wasn't a huge fan of this album, but it was alright just playing in the background while I was doing other stuff.
Raising Hell deserves to be on this list. This album not so much. The effort to destroy my algorithm continues to succeed.
Surprised how underwhelming this album is. Incredibly samey and basic rap; similar lyrics flow and beats in almost every song, with pretty basic melodies as well. Feels almost incomplete on two thirds of the songs. Glad Run-D.M.C. kept getting better, because this album leave a lot to be desired. Top tracks: Rock Box, It's Like That
Of it's genre this is an easy listening sound. I find the continued chanting a bit wearing by the end of the album, but I enjoyed standalone tracks. The music was however a bit more varied.
This had a very 80s sound (which I'm not into) and the songs were all pretty similar. It's all undeniably catchy, however. This album is a basic precursor to hip hop and rap without the excessive swearing and with lyrics championing social causes. A few moments piqued my interest, but otherwise this just faded into the background.
Because of this album I realize I don't vibe with this kind of rap
https://youtu.be/WZ2TC8duaoE?si=o_gOdhJwww_N5TJx
I’m not sure I can take any more of the back and forth vocals Ya I’m sure this album had to exist for hip hop to be where it is today but damn it does not hold up . It’s good for like 1 song, I did not need the same thing 9 times
Run DMC cannot be disregarded in the history and culture of hip hop. But they are dated and lack substance. The more and more time goes by, other than being a historical relic, this thing does not stand its ground.
i was really excited because i like some run songs… this album just felt boring. obviously groundbreaking but i think their later work was more fun. will not be circling back.
Sounds very dated when listened to today. Not denying the credit they deserve, most music from the 80's suffers from the same curse - sounds like 80s.
i can see why it’s so influential Saw hard times and immediately thought of paramore, maybe i should listen to some paramore
Üldse ei istu see "korda-mööda" asjade ütlemine ja Run-D.M.C vokaalide stiil. Ma võin tõdeda, et nad olid tol hetkel revolutsioonilised, aga hetkel on neid ikka pigem kehv kuulata. Instrumentaalid on ka algelised ja korduvad, võibolla oli üks huvitav riff terve albumi peale. 2.4/5
guitar went hard on track 2
I have three cultural references for RUN DMC. 1 - The 2006 MTV Program "Rev's House" 2 - The t-shirt 3 - The Aerosmith collab This shit was so corny. I laughed pretty hard in spots. 80s inspirational rap music is ripe for parody.
unfair to put this after TPAB in our run order, but so it goes. I know sometimes the people that break some barriers don't always hold up to the work they influence or that comes through the door after they bust it open. a lot of this album comes across as corny and dated at this point. they laid some groundwork for music that followed, but I don't see myself throwing this on again.
It's hard to give a rating to such a foundational album like this, and it's funny we got it right after 'To Pimp a Butterfly.' To say hip-hop's come a long way is an understatement. Their album 'Raising Hell' is sometimes credited with kicking off rock-rap due to the collaboration with Aerosmith on "Walk This Way" and Rick Rubin's production, but you can hear it here on "Rock Box." It's all pretty corny and simple. You could see a lot of these lyrics go on elementary school motivational posters. 2.5/5
ui das isch früüüüene hiphop. de beat vo hard times goht recht ine finds no geil well no aggressiv. rock box isch no geil mit de gitarre. aber irgendwie 80er rap tönt immer noch humpty dumpty had a great fall für mich. s cha no so ernst gmeint und aggressiv sii. fuck ich wird dene nöd e gueti bewertig geh und s heisst sie seged so die wichtigste früene rapper. shit. ich hass dass sie die ganz ziit vo reime reded mann. its like that isch mich am nerveeee. es erinneret mich vode beats her so fest a die szene vo camp rock wo die eint mitem laptop en beat macht und alli seged " she's really good" und es isch so comically ass. sorry run dmc ich chan nuuuuull öpis mit dem afange.
Eh... Not really for me. I was hoping to like it more, but they sucked a lot of the fun of the backyard party era, kept its beats, shortened the songs, and added synths. Another case of enjoying the music that Run-D.M.C inspired more than the music Run-D.M.C made. Highlights: "Jay's Game" 2-star
Goofy
It’s a bit basic at times, like they've just got a drum machine to work with, but cool seeing the start of rap's evolution
The logo of these dudes has been designing the face of the democratic middle east ♡
The entire album sounded like one song. So repetitive
As a lifelong hip hop fan I'd love to give this high marks. Run-D.M.C. were a stepping stone for the golden age of hip hop. But it just has not aged well. The beats are one dimensional. The flow is chopping and annoying. The rhyme schemes are very basic. There's some positive messaging and the vibes are good at least.
I was previously familiar with Run-D.M.C. for their collaboration with Aerosmith, but not with this album. There are some interesting parts, but mostly I don't care for the vocals. I'm not a fan of rap, and this album in particular has a bit of sharing of vocals (going back and forth in the middle of a line) that I find jarring, and not getting used to by the end. I recognize this is historically important, but I would not come back to this one.
Важная для рэпа запись, но сейчас уже звучит как анархаизм
Siento que cantan de borma o que es una parodia de algo, no puedo tomarmelo en serio ni seguir escuchando después de 4 canciones.
What a difference two years make. The band's Raising Hell holds up as a hip hop classic. This one? Not so much. It's still fairly easy to hear why this is loved and influential - the beats hit hard, and there's audible joy shared between two bandmates trading rhymes. It's an 80s hip hop album, so yes, the flows are outdated, but I think a bigger problem is the pacing. The rapping on long tracks like "Wake Up" and "30 Days" is so slow that it makes the songs feel even longer and saps the energy from the beats. Those beats can also be a bit simple and stark despite sometimes having cool things going on. "Rock Box" is the exception, with a guitar-driven beat and more energy in the performances. There are some cool lyrical ideas here like on "Wake Up," but this one feels like a blueprint for a much better album.
Not into most 80s rap. It doesn’t sound sonically good…loud, clanking samples with that choppy, 80s flow. Said the same thing about the Beastie Boys album, 80s rap is one of the most dated sounding genres of music. But why is this album a 3.1 and Beastie Boys a 3.5? They’re essentially the same.
Another more important than good album that has not aged well. It's not nearly the quality that their next two albums would be
Album was ok. Not into drum machines and all, it wasn't hard to listen to still. Wouldn't shut it off. Not my thing.
about half-way through: so far the album feels very monotonous. Hip Hop is not my favourite genre of music in general, but right now it just kind of feels like I am listening to someone messing around with a pre-made song and adding in beats overtop Kush groove 1 is definitely better than Kush groove 2 okay it seems like the second half of the album is better (I could see myself listening to It's Like That on a regular chill playlist) oh hell yeah the second half is definitely better in my opinion. really like 30 days. not as big a fan of Jay's game, especially for the end of the album. Ik there's an extended edition but for the main one i feel like it could end better. still a decent beat though
A surprisingly compressed, even distorted, sound for the year 1984. Ultra-clean production had been the craze for at least a decade by this point (with even some of the punk greats taking up the trend), and this had to have been novel for its time. I’m not sure if the percussion is electronic or if it’s just very processed (but acoustic). The latter would be more impressive. It’s what Queen, Bowie, and Steely Dan (among many others) had been experimenting with in the late 70s. But the vocals… man, they’re just so disappointing. Props for going against the mainstream, and helping to pioneer a huge emerging genre. But serious, monotonous hollering isn’t that engaging, especially if you’re not someone who values lyricism. Even the (vocal) rhythms on display aren’t that interesting. The back-and-forth vocal in Hard Times is cool, but otherwise nothing stands out in the way of singing. You could classify this as rap (or proto-rap), but really it’s more like steady, rhythmic shouting. It works better here than in later decades. Partly because you just know the genre is going to devolve from here. (Wu-Tang Clan, I’m looking at you. Run-D.M.C. is much more of a “classic” hip-hop artist than you’ll ever be.) Rock Box is immediately a better track in virtue of the bluesy electric guitars weaving seamlessly between the vocal lines. The mini-solo at around 1:20 is particularly good. A clear 70s-rock influence here – possibly paying homage to psychedelia too. I would like to hear some more interesting and varied vocals, though. Two tracks in, and I’m very worried that the only human voice contributions will be generic unmelodic yelling that sounds better when ignored. Jam-Master Jay is a slight improvement in this regard. It’s almost anthem-like. Cool-sounding instrumental hits. Hollis Crew is a complete miss, and it’s obvious why. The only instrumental contribution comes in the form of an extremely monotonous percussion line that ends up being more distracting than anything. Not sure what it’s distracting from, though. Maybe the silence? The next track, Sucker M.C.’s, uses the exact same percussion, meaning the listener must deal with over six minutes of this nonsense. It’s Like That is a slight improvement, with a more standard electric-clap-sounding beat. But if it’s going to commit to having any sort of harmonic hook, it should ideally last for more than a single one-beat minor chord. (And it’s the same minor chord every single time.) I’m blown away that this was the hit on the album over the more musically interesting tracks. It’s kind of catchy, but it’s not “best-song-on-the-record” catchy. Wake Up almost works – it’s pretty entertaining – but ultimately it isn’t interesting enough to warrant coming back to. The high-pitched percussion in the left ear and slap bass in the centre are the two most promising musical elements… but then they don’t vary at all for five and a half minutes. 30 Days is similar; maybe very slightly better. And Jay’s Game is slightly better again – a decent way to end the album. (It helps that the vocals act as electronic-sounding instruments instead of, well, vocals. Nifty.) 2/5 Key tracks: Rock Box, Jam-Master Jay
Really appreciate this one’s place in history. But thankfully rap came a long way in a short time. The difference between this and what was coming out 10 years later is amazing. This sounds very childish now. 2.75
Probably groundbreaking but I find it a bit annoying
Is the algorithm front-loading us with early NYC hip hop, or does it just make up a huge amount of what we're going to listen to? Compared to De La Soul/Public Enemy I am both more aware of Run-DMC's full body of work, and less into it. Not to detract from the historic nature of this album (basically the first hit rap album, paving the way for diss tracks), but I think this is a 2, it's just too dated. If you're talking about the Wright Flyer flown at Kitty Hawk as a great plane, you mean that it was the first plane -- not that it was good at flying. Even Run-DMC were sounding more interesting than this a few years later. Rock Box is decent, though.
..their rhymes might have gotten stale. Might be sending them back in 30 days 😭
5/10- The influence and the Adidas aura are not enough to make me come back to any of the songs. Salute on laying the foundation and making hip hop relevant and mainstream.
I respect this album more than I like listening to it. You can hear how influential this is, but I am not saving any songs off of it. 5/10
ohh the clunkiness
Did not age well. 2/5
Lyrically sound and important Musically like two teenagers with a casio and are really proud of finishing each other's sentences. I get that minimalism is the aim, but it's not for me. There are like three sounds total throughout this album. 4.5 / 10 Best track: It's Like That
This doesn't age well. As a product of its time, sure. But so slow and juvenile. Firmly believe they have a pass for Walk This Way.
So poor, except maybe It’s Like That
I expected this to be more fun! I like Run-DMC, and I dig their chemistry. But the album didn't really do much for me. Run-DMC the artists get a 4; Run-DMC the album gets a 2.
I found this album quite pointless. It may have historical significance I'm uninitiated to, but I do know one thing: DK Rap. This album was probably ruined for me as it sounds intensely goofy if your mind is centered on a collection of polygon apes. It also didn't resonate with me very strongly on an emotional level. I feel no need to ever hear this agian.
5/10 Favourite: Rock Box Least Favourite: Hard Times
I understand that for the time this was very innovative, but this is very dated. As someone who’s not a fan of hip hop, I can’t quite make the connection for artists that were likely influenced by Run DMC. Everything sounds the same, it’s not bad but just not great.
I think I've said this at least half a dozen times by now, but almost all the old hip hop (pre '90s, let's say) on this list is incredibly dated in how monotone the rapping is, and this is no exception. Crazy instrumentals on Rock Box and 30 Days are the only memorable parts of this, at the end of the day. (Thankfully instrumental versions of both exist on YouTube!)
Old. School. Unfortunately stylistically has aged terribly but it is charming
4/10 весело було перші 2 хв потім я поняла що весь альбом буде звучати так і мені перестало бути весело
2.5
i didn’t like this one very much, i thought their other album was better
This one wasn’t as good as the last Run-D.M.C. album. First half was ok.
HA! I think I'll enjoy this album. Def never heard any of their albums front to back. Meh. 2 stars.
Primordial hip hop. Interesting from a historic perspective.
Did not like it lol
Extremely outdated sound. I understand it was influential, but it's not pleasant now
Run DMC's music I think is one of, if not the best example of something that absolutely deserves respect for being so influential, but by today's standards has aged really badly. Just the whole style, the rapping, the rhymes, the production, everything. It's so dated and even a bit cringe at times, definitely something I'm glad to have heard for it's significance in the history of hip hop, but not something I would ever choose to listen to.
Bizarrely this sounds quite novel for today but it does test the patience. The same vocal style, deliberate I know, over various musical motifs, twiddle or crash bang.
I think 40 years of hip hop developing after this album being released hasn't done it any favours.
Pretty corny all around. No clever wordplay, no grooves, no interesting production decisions. Probably impactful at the time but doesn’t hold up.
Have you ever had this ugly ass specimen of a classmate that grew up into a crazy hot chick? This album is that guy
Respect them for being hip hop trailblazers but this aged like milk. Sounds like 1 long song. Finishing each other's sentences for old real quick.
Oooof just so old feeling
Niektóre nawet git ale nie będę tego albumu ani piosenek słuchał.
Too old skool, feels v synthetic.
couldn’t get into it. 2.5
Raising Hell is already on the list and I don't think Run DMC deserves a second album on there BE-CAUSE all of their songs JUST sound the same! And if you disa-GREE then you're PROB-AB-LY LAME!
Eyy Rock Box rocked
Sounds dated.
4/10
Meh
Maybe important to history, but dated today
Very much 80s which wasn't a huge problem. Not my favorite though
Every song here sounds like the DK Rap
I can't see the point but I see the attraction.
Some catchy vocals, and a step in the right direction, but doesn’t stand the test of time compared to the sound that followed it.
Sounds like kids rap
It does sound like a very 1984 album. My big moan is that it's very repetitive. It sounds like they were an important influence for those who followed, but it's not a genre i get into.
It is essentially one long song withe same beat and rap style. So cute that they finish each other’s sentences. As an isolated song it is dated 80s rap. As an album it is insanity. 4/10
not my style
Everything on here sounds so similar and the production seems so sparse, minimal and kind of flat like an album of foundations that needed more to be added to them. I was bored.
*1984. *This sounded like such an early prototype for hip-hop. *Most of the songs sounded the same - I didn't realize when the album had started over. RATING - 5.5/10
Yell rap. Didn't like.
Rough around the edges but cool approach.
Promising start but all of the songs kind of sound the same
21/09/2025 This was really disappointing, I expected so much more. Spotify listeners: 4.8 million
Ok… but all the songs do sound like they came from same Casio keyboard.
really slow and dull and the call response thing is annoying
This album feels like it has something missing, and just feels overall slightly corny. Their style is definitely improved on raising hell, thankfully.
Old school hip hop
classic hip hop album but not quite my style. a little to early for my taste but a monumental album for sure. 4/10
Great lyrics and there are moments where I really dig it, but overall it’s just not really my jam
This is the the same song like 12 times.
Classic old school rap not my thing understand the appeal though 4/10 overall
Another one of those albums where I’m sure when it came out, people thought they were hearing alien noises and freaked out. Years later (besides a few standouts), it sounds dated and doesn’t offer up much to make for a 39 minute record. “Well, I’m a peanut bar and I’m here to say: your checks will arrive on another day” (5/10, 2/5 on this scale)
Too samey
Decent enough but very dated now. Their style is quite hard going after a few songs. Imagine my delight at listening to the extended edition album.
I think Run DMC benefit from a collaboration. As influential as it may have been, I am glad hip hop has progressed from this.
2.5
This flavor of hip hop is not really my jam (ie Beastie Boys-esque) but I guess I really mean DMC-esque because they were the ones to do it first.
The first two tracks were decent so I was excited for the rest of the songs until they came on — it mostly seemed like repetitive drones. Not for me, even with an intriguing surround sound mix on Apple Music, and weirdly, their only album in surround.
Feels like there isn’t much rhythm and a bit too much emphasis on the words that do rhyme
Just not for me.
It's amazing to think how far the peopel following in the path Run DMC forged got and how far the genre eclipses it's origins. This is hard to hear this as anything other than a fossil, an indicataive artifact of a moment in the evolution of sound and style where the core features are all there in elemental form that would be iterate and florish as it proliferates. The rigid staccato quarter note flow gets very grating quickly and the scatchy casio keyboard beats are iconic but repetitive. The corny metal samples on Rock Box and the synth sounds on 30 Days and lots of other tracks are great though. But still, there's an unmissable charisma to it, all playful bravado and lyrical charisma - and their relentless abuse of that sorriest of species, sucka MCs, is very funny.
Totally understand why this album is included on this list as it's a historic example of early rap. However, I don't really like it. The backing beats are simple and the raps just kind of feel like someone shouting at you the whole time (ala Beastie Boys flow). Glad the genre progressed as this just seems altogether outdated. 4.5/10 (2.25/5)
Classic but dated? Feel like the beats and flow are all so similar song to song. Idk if this came out now if it would get the same hype. Still huge for its time
3/10 This album really shows its age, but also suffers massively, to my ears, from the fact that it’s so threadbare in terms of actual musical content and rhythmic variety. Obviously, I’m assessing this 40 years after the fact. This is an artefact from the early days of hip-hop, and there are 40 years of developments that I’ve borne witness to in the intervening years, so it’ of course going to sound dated, but what really surprised me is how much of it was little more than a drum beat with rapping in some fairly routine (and endlessly repeated) rhythms over the top. They don’t really mix things up from track to track, and the only one which really had much interest to it was Rock Box, when they actually had some musical content on the track courtesy of the guitar playing. It’s Like That stood out, at least in part due to it being so well known, but it does feel slow when I’m more familiar with the Jason Nevins mix. With that all being said, this is a hard one to rate. Historically it’s massively important. It was the first real breakthrough rap album, and paved the way for so much great music to come, but it just sounds so thin and stale that it’s hard to look back on it with much fondness aside from the nostalgic and historic angles. Within the subsequent 5 years, you’d have Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, De La Soul, N.W.A., Erik B. & Rakim and a whole lot of other artists that were just doing this so much better, with so much more of a developed and interesting sound. Extra points for historical importance, but I won’t be hurrying back down Run-D.M.C. Avenue. Hard Times - It’s obviously very 80s, but it’s also incredibly sparse. That orchestra hit and a single note bass line is the only harmonic content in the song at all. They do add some melodic inflection to their rapping, but not a vast amount. The drums are actually quite interesting to be fair, but together with the vocal delivery it’s all a bit stilted and staccato. Despite all that, I actually quite enjoyed it. Rock Box - So they were blending rock with rap from the very beginning. This At least had something other than the absolute barebones that was present in Hard Times. It’s got a bit of variety to it and it’s got some decent momentum to it too. Again, it’s aged quite a lot, but probably less than the opener. I can imagine this was pretty fresh at the time, and it’s still not bad. Jam-Master Jay - Compared to the tightens of modern scratch DJs, Jam-Master Jay is pretty loose and basic. Another track with barely any harmonic content at all. It’s very repetitive and the DJing is also not very good. Hollis Crew (Krush-Groove 2) - Another track, another lack of harmonic content. The rapping is a bit better here, but it’s still pretty dated and there’s just not enough going on to hold the interest. Sucker M.C.’s - Apparently one of the first diss tracks. But it’s got quite a boring beat, and again, it’s just a beat with some rapping and a few scratches on it. No variety in the rapping rhythms here either. Pretty boring. It’s Like That - This is obviously a classic, but for my generation, it’s probably more famous for the Jason Nevins remix, which has more pace and a much stronger and more driving beat. This, by comparison, feels fairly pedestrian. As a song, the structure is better than some of the others on the album, and there’s a bit more audio interest, but it’s not exactly musically rich. Wake Up - There’s at least some effort to add something more varied here with the sound effects in the chorus, but it’s hardly hooky. That rotating of the vocal parts (also present elsewhere) sounds so dated these days. There’s just not enough here to really grab me and it just goes on and on. 30 Days - Wow, a bassline that isn’t just a single note! It’s even got a synth chord! Those little bits aside, this is still pretty uninteresting. It’s definitely an improvement over some of the more barebones tracks on the album, but it’s still a bit sparse and pedestrian, and all of the rapping of the whole album is very samey and lacking in rhythmic variation. Jay’s Game - Similarly to the rest of the album, there’s not too much to write home about here. Some of the scratching is a bit better, but it’s still all a bit stale.
Totally recognize and appreciate the foundation that old hip hop set, but it is not for me. Boring lyrics, boring backing track, boring delivery
Old skool hiphop. I kind of like this stuff, but today just wasnt the day for this.
Weirdly amusing on its raw power. Not my cup of tea but album tickles some undefined point in me. Amusement, humour or something like that...
At this point hip hop is so new that they don't really have "songs" per say. Feels to me like they were trying to emulate the block party back and forth with the audience vibe on to a record. It's a very strenuous listen.
I never cared for this sort of back-and-forth style of rapping. I can see where the genre was still developing here, especially in the diss track, but this album doesn't work for me. "Rock Box" is pretty great, though.
Thought I would like this but nah-so-much
Eh… this just isn’t the pinnacle of RUN-D.M.C. music to me. I think being a rap fan now make it’s difficult for me to really enjoy the lyrics and style of this era and this kind of album feels dated and dull.
I’m sure this was a pinnacle moment in hip hop but all I can think about while listening to this is 90s sitcom dads doing bad raps and this is what they sound like.
This sounds exactly as old as it is
..
Classic but not my bag
Favorite track: jam master jay. Overall score 4,6/10.
I thought this lot would probably turn up. In the 1980s it would have been a 1 for me and without the internet to educate me about the band name, I called them Run Dumps. Just about a 2 now as it has fewer obnoxious sounds than many of its successors.
Their debut album. Hip Hop. Grounbreaking for a Hip Hop album at the time with harder beats and lyrics. Jam Master Jay is a track that's an example of this. A hugely influential album. It's Like That is the satndout and most famous track. I get the album's influence, it just seems a little flat to me now.
1.9 I'm sorry but this is so, so bad. I get it was seminal at the time, turning hip hop more mainstream and transitioning the genre from one off singles to albums, but Jesus Christ has it aged poorly. And just strange choices also. Why do the thing where they take it in turn to say a word or two each? And multiple times? It sounds shite. Beats are simplistic to the point of hilarity. Rhymes are also completely basic "why do you wear glasses?" "So I can see" ooooh good one mate. They'll be repeating that one for decades. Painful listening experience.
Fan, det känns som jag fått den här plattan förut. It's like that är ju en bra låt.
I didn't like it
Rap had to start somewhere, while this might sound basic and full of evergreen spaces that would be filled in the future Run DMC were pioneers of the genere, does that mean that I like it or that its going to be on my top of the 1001 experience list? Not necessarily. Wake Up is my favorite of the album, just because it went out of the way to do something different than most of the other tracks. 2/5
I know of the group and the general sound but never heard this album. I recognize that this is a pivotal album for its time, and I can see how it influenced lots of other artists. But it's not my thing. It's all lyrics and beats, with very little else.
Needs more Aerosmith. And I never thought I’d say that.
In a nutshell: that was then, this is now. We know it's dated, cliched etc. Let's put those observations aside. I doubt people heard anything like this on the radio or on MTV in 1984. This is nothing like Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five or the maximalist monstrosity that is Duck Rock. This is simple, stripped back hip hop. It was the inspiration for hip hop and rap artists to come. The good and the bad. I didn't like it, but i acknowledge it's the prototype of the genre. Overall: 3/10
Never was a big fan but they did have a few great tracks. Didn't hate it but one and done.
“Hard times sucker MC's Jays Game, thirty days Wake up Hollis Crew Rock Box it's like that I love you still, I always will” So Green Gartside from Scritti Politti loves this, will always but I find this a bit majorly ropey and belligerently dated with wimpy flow and headachy awful beats. If this weren’t on 1001 albums list it would be a Run D.N.F. It’s Like That By Way Of Jason Nevins 90s remix is the only real good song on here.
I'm picturing 2 dudes jumping around in circles finishing each other's sentences. Cute visual, but the album isn't for me.
Six are variations of the same song
Nee, dit is hem toch niet
I just don't think I like 80's or 90's rap at all. It's very repetitive but not in an interesting way. And it's hard to buy into the raps that are mostly just boasting about how great they are but are they? The only thing that could make this worse would be Aerosmith
Fun!
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!
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.
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.
What the hell
Liked the video but pass on the rest
Boy do they have a sound! And it's whatever drum machine they used on this.
Spotify deciding to play My Adidas straight after this album made me get Run-D.M.C. The previous 40 minutes didn't. Listen to the Jason Nevins remix of It's Like That and call it a day.
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
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.
Have no doubt it was revolutionary in its time, but all I could picture was Whose Line Is It Anyway music improv episodes.
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.
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.
Wow, this didn't age particularly well. Just It's Like That stood out; the rest was meh.
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.
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.
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
2.5
Run-D.M.C. needs to stop.
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.
Important but basic