Reviews (page 3 of 14)
Classic hip hop for a reason. This is non-stop hits. One of the earliest to fuse rock with rap and I'm here for it. The only negative here (and I won't penalize this release for it) is that this is the ONLY reason Aerosmith had a popular resurgence and was able to put out a string of over the top shitty albums.
Classic. So good.
Excellent album.
It’s crazy to think that this was a new genre. The innovation alone makes this album stand out to me plus to incorporate rock into was seamless. Legendary group. Legendary album. Nothing less than 5 stars is appropriate! RIP Jam Master J 🕊️
**Raising Hell by Run-D.M.C: An In-Depth Review** *Raising Hell*, the third studio album by the seminal hip-hop group Run-D.M.C., was released on May 15, 1986. This album stands as a pivotal moment in the history of hip-hop, marking its crossover into mainstream popularity. Let's delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, as well as its pros and cons. ### Lyrics Run-D.M.C., composed of Joseph "Run" Simmons, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, and Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell, are known for their straightforward, impactful lyrical style. The lyrics on *Raising Hell* reflect the group's streetwise sensibility, blending braggadocio with social commentary. 1. **Braggadocio**: Tracks like "Peter Piper" and "My Adidas" showcase the group's confidence and prowess. "Peter Piper" uses nursery rhyme references to highlight their skills, while "My Adidas" is a celebration of their street credibility and connection to their audience through fashion. 2. **Social Commentary**: "It's Tricky" and "Proud to Be Black" offer more than just bravado. "It's Tricky" touches on the challenges of the music industry and the pressures of fame, while "Proud to Be Black" is a powerful statement on African American pride and heritage, addressing issues of racial identity and history. 3. **Storytelling**: "Son of Byford" and "Perfection" are examples of Run-D.M.C.'s storytelling ability. These tracks provide listeners with insights into the group's personal lives and their journey in the music industry. ### Music Musically, *Raising Hell* blends hip-hop with elements of rock, creating a sound that was groundbreaking for its time. The beats are hard-hitting, with prominent use of drum machines, scratching, and samples. 1. **Instrumentation**: The use of rock guitars, particularly on "Rock Box" and "King of Rock" from their previous albums, is refined and perfected in *Raising Hell*. "Rock Box" and the iconic "Walk This Way" (featuring Aerosmith) bridge the gap between hip-hop and rock, making the album accessible to a broader audience. 2. **Production**: Produced by Rick Rubin, the album features a minimalist yet powerful production style. Rubin's background in rock music brings a raw edge to the album, while Run-D.M.C.'s hip-hop foundation remains strong. The production on "Walk This Way" is particularly noteworthy for its seamless integration of Aerosmith's rock elements with Run-D.M.C.'s rap. 3. **Sampling and Scratching**: Jam Master Jay's scratching and the creative use of samples are integral to the album's sound. "Peter Piper" famously samples Bob James' "Take Me to the Mardi Gras," demonstrating the group's innovative approach to beat-making. ### Themes *Raising Hell* covers a range of themes, from self-assertion and cultural pride to industry criticism and fun. 1. **Self-Assertion and Braggadocio**: Central to the album is the theme of self-assertion. Run-D.M.C. consistently assert their dominance in the rap game, as seen in "It's Tricky" and "My Adidas." Their confidence is infectious and serves as a source of empowerment for listeners. 2. **Cultural Pride**: "Proud to Be Black" stands out for its explicit celebration of African American heritage. The track educates and inspires, highlighting the contributions of Black individuals to history and culture. 3. **Industry Criticism**: Tracks like "It's Tricky" delve into the complexities of the music industry, exploring the challenges of maintaining authenticity and integrity in a commercialized environment. 4. **Fun and Party Vibes**: Despite the serious themes, the album never loses its sense of fun. "Walk This Way" and "Peter Piper" are prime examples of Run-D.M.C.'s ability to create tracks that are both thought-provoking and entertaining. ### Influence *Raising Hell* had a profound impact on the music industry and popular culture. It helped to elevate hip-hop from a niche genre to a dominant force in mainstream music. 1. **Crossover Appeal**: The collaboration with Aerosmith on "Walk This Way" was a watershed moment. It not only revitalized Aerosmith's career but also introduced hip-hop to a rock audience, breaking down genre barriers and broadening hip-hop's appeal. 2. **Fashion and Culture**: Run-D.M.C.'s endorsement of Adidas with "My Adidas" is a landmark in the intersection of music and fashion. The song led to one of the first major endorsement deals between a hip-hop group and a major corporation, highlighting the growing influence of hip-hop culture. 3. **Production Techniques**: Rick Rubin's production on *Raising Hell* influenced countless producers and artists. His minimalist, hard-hitting style became a blueprint for future hip-hop production, emphasizing the power of simplicity and raw energy. 4. **Legacy and Inspiration**: The album inspired a generation of hip-hop artists and remains a touchstone in the genre. Artists like Public Enemy, N.W.A, and the Beastie Boys drew inspiration from *Raising Hell*'s sound and thematic content. ### Pros and Cons #### Pros 1. **Innovative Sound**: The fusion of hip-hop and rock on tracks like "Walk This Way" was groundbreaking and expanded the possibilities of what hip-hop could achieve. 2. **Strong Lyrical Content**: The lyrics are a perfect blend of braggadocio, social commentary, and storytelling, showcasing Run-D.M.C.'s versatility and depth. 3. **Cultural Impact**: The album's influence on fashion, culture, and the music industry is undeniable. It helped to mainstream hip-hop and set the stage for future collaborations across genres. 4. **Production Quality**: Rick Rubin's production is both minimalist and powerful, allowing the group's talent and message to shine through. The use of samples and scratching adds to the album's unique sound. 5. **Timeless Tracks**: Songs like "Walk This Way," "It's Tricky," and "My Adidas" have stood the test of time and remain iconic in both hip-hop and popular music. #### Cons 1. **Lack of Diversity in Themes**: While the album excels in its themes of self-assertion and cultural pride, it does not venture deeply into other social issues or personal struggles, which could have added more depth. 2. **Potential Over-Reliance on Rock Elements**: Some purists might argue that the heavy use of rock elements on tracks like "Walk This Way" takes away from the traditional hip-hop sound, potentially alienating hardcore hip-hop fans. 3. **Production Choices**: Rick Rubin's minimalist style, while innovative, might be seen as too raw or unpolished by some listeners who prefer more layered or complex productions. 4. **Short Length**: With only 12 tracks, the album leaves listeners wanting more. Some tracks, like "Son of Byford" and "Is It Live," are very short, which might feel like missed opportunities for further exploration. ### Conclusion *Raising Hell* by Run-D.M.C. is a landmark album that played a crucial role in the evolution of hip-hop. Its innovative fusion of hip-hop and rock, combined with strong lyrical content and impactful production, set new standards for the genre. The album's influence on music, culture, and fashion is profound, and its legacy endures to this day. Despite some criticisms regarding theme diversity and production choices, the album's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. *Raising Hell* remains a testament to Run-D.M.C.'s pioneering spirit and their ability to push the boundaries of hip-hop, making it an essential listen for anyone interested in the genre's history and development.
There’s no more important hip hop album than this one. I love the sound from this era.
O hellz ya. The good stuff.
80s hip hop is just so cool and so much more fun that where the genre went. I loved this.
Hip hop is my jam rn so I can't give it anything less than 5/5
It's no secret that I'm a big fan of artists blending rock with other musical styles. On this record, the "Kings of Rock" do this to an excellent degree, along with some other vintage 80s rap. Run-D.M.C are masters in the rap group stylings that you don't see often anymore in that they often alternate lyrics in quick succession as opposed to separate verses. Rather than this method seeming clunky or disjointed, they compliment one another seamlessly. Additionally, their use of rock guitars and rhythms mixed with a turntable could easily sound forced or out of place. On the contrary, you can hear them embody the "rockstar" persona and it shines through in their perfromance. I love this group. They were far ahead of their time in their experimentation with other genres without sounding too outlandish. Definitely added some tracks to my rap repertoire with this record. Notable Tracks: - Peter Piper - It's Tricky - My Adidas - Walk This Way - Is It Live - Raising Hell 9/10
Classic
Top notch hip hop album. A true classic.
This is so good. It’s a real shame that there’ll never be hiphop like this ever again. Rugged and raw but such urgency while keeping a great sense of fun. Love it.
The production on this is SO damn clear and foreword-looking. Lots of genre bending and beats are all distinctive with impressive scratching and complimentary vocals. The sampling, especially of Aerosmith is almost unbelievably prescient of how hip hop would evolve in the coming decades. The rapping itself also feels much more natural alongside each beat than how MCs would often perform in this era. Listened to: in Golden Gate Park. Favorite tracks: Peter Piper, Hit It Run, Raising Hell
How funny I just had the Aerosmith album with Walk This Way and the very next album is the Run-D.M.C. album with Walk This Way. I love this record. Such a classic old school hip-hop sound that really broke down the rap/rock barrier with Walk This Way. And the skill on the mic is in full show here. It truly is tricky to rock a rhyme to rock a rhyme that's right on time it's trickay
God I miss classic hip hop. One of the greatest.
Oh yeah
Been wearing Superstars for the last decade you know I had to do it to 'em. Have always liked this album a lot despite joking on most of the other big pre-1985 hip hop acts.
Genre defining. There are few albums that can illicit feelings of nostalgia and "simpler times" without feeling dated - this is one of them.
ICONIC
A very early milestone for the art of the rap album. The grandad hip hop of *Raising Hell* obviously sounds terribly dated in 2024, but what it loses because of this is counterbalanced by its contagious energy, its dynamic tracklisting exploring all the options you can choose in that similar groove (with or without the rock flourishes), along with its cultural relevance and impact. "It's Tricky", " Peter Piper" and that version of "Rock This Way" featuring Aerosmith are classics. And most of the other cuts are worth a detour. Number of albums left to review: less than 200, approximately - I've temporarily lost count here. Number of albums I'll include in my own list: half so far, approximately (including this one) Number of albums I *might* include: a quarter, approximately Number of albums I'll never include: another quarter, or just a little more (many other albums are more important to me)
HUGE sound and unmatched swagger. Classic.
Pretty much straight up classic
Wow, it's good.
Epic
Great classic Hip Hop. Certainly a very influential album.
❤️❤️❤️
Album goes big start to finish
Brilliant. Probably my favorite hip hop album of all time.
Peter piper picked peppers and Run rocked rhymes I’m instantly 16 again
One of the all time great rap acts and albums.
Classic!
Listened Before? N This one is HOT. These dudes were such pioneers and the tragedy of Jam Master Jay is so unfortunate. The music is something that a lot of modern rappers could learn from. Perfect timing and a quick wit along with hard-hitting topics occasionally - all without being violent or demeaning to women. The version of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" is as well executed as it is famous. The real classic shit here. Added to Library? Y Songs added to playlist: It's Tricky, Walk This Way, You Be Illin'
I am not a Rap or Hip-Hop fan, but this album is genre defining. Its commercial success (partially vaulted by the Walk This Way cover that charted higher than the Aerosmith original) brought this genre into the mainstream. There are so many popular, well known and just simply enjoyable tracks to listen to. This could be an album I will periodically listen to. This is just epic. 5⭐️
Yep. Not as good as King of Rock, but still a solid album from rap royalty.
Absolute classic. Nothing really needs to be said other than every one should definitely listen to this album at least once in their life.
I've never actively listened to RUN D.M.C but even not expressly knowing them or actively listening to their music, it's amazing how woven into the cultural sphere it and the recognizability of the music on this album. From full songs (Walk This Way, It's Tricky, etc) to samples that have used in other songs over the years (Peter Piper that shows in Missy Elliott's Work It) it's evident how influential, lasting, and phenomenal this album it. I was glad to be prompted to finally listen to this classic.
So cool to see how many rap albums were clearly influenced by this one
💖 hit it run 🗣️ 9️⃣
Just a really good hip hop album from the 80s. Their version of “Walk This Way” is iconic! “Dumb Girl” doesn’t hold up especially well, but the rest of the album does, more so than many others from that era. This album has so many iconic songs; it makes total sense why it’s on this list.
Bloody hell that was good. Had me break dancing in the garden and I’m fat & 55 with nosy neighbours!
This album is great cover to cover. Bonus points for the go-go beats
So many later influences
Non-stop bops.
This
Classic. Although incredibly to hear the progression of the genre.
I started a bit unsure but hey, this is one of the groundbreaking albums that defined a genre and of course everyone should listen to it.
Extremely significant to Hip Hop, some tracks hold up. bringing forth the golden era of Hip Hop and onto the main stage.
delicious. finally some good fucking food
Where hip-hop started for me. Classic.
Peak "Golden Age" Hip Hop. The exuberance of this album is infectious. I know it's best known these days for the Aerosmith crossover, but Tricky was the anthem of my pre-teens.
Classic, loved it.
oh hellllllll yeahhhh
so fun. probably closer to a 4.5 but it's so rare for me to give albums here a 5, let's just go for it!!!
this album was great. i sorta knew some of the singles going into it but the whole thing was a fun time. the lyrics are funny and clever, and the beats are solid. definitely listening to more of this in the future. favorites: peter piper, it's tricky, my adidas, walk this way, you be illin'
Amazing how "old school" and corny the Jurassic 5 record sounded by comparison to an actual honest-to-God Old School classic rap record.
I am at 4/4. This is one of my favorite hip hop artists, and albums of all time. this is THE album that brought hip hop mainstream. I used to rock to the whole track list with my mom
Baller as hell. One of the classics.
So good I basically listened to it twice in a row. A classic. Got to see these guys live in 1973 or 84. Didn’t truly appreciate how epic they were at the time.
great album-- lots of fun memories associated with this, It is clever and lyrical and no obscenities.
Forgot what a great Album this was !
I love it?
A pure classic, genre defining album.
This is the true start of rap right here. Their lyrics rhyme with ease, words are clever, relatable to all, not much language, and mixes are smooth and right on time.
I didn’t realize they had all of these hits of one album and I was proud that they had a song about Adidas because I an a proud Adidas shoe owner
great album. not usually a fan of early rap/hip hop but enjoyed this. lots of sampling, but sounds are different & fresh, not overdone. keeping this one in my rotation
I had heard some of these songs before, but not all of them. They've got some really great beats and clever lyrics, and I enjoyed the whole album.
Я не по репу, но качает!
the progenitor. i knew how central this album was to what came after but didnt know it actually bumped this hard
bangers could i write poetry to this? y
genre-bending for its time! Uplifting and booouncy
World class. HOF tracks.
Freaking awesome album. First four tracks are absolute classics, but some of the other deep cuts are great too. Probably a bit simplistic by today's standards for rock/hip-hop but just a gem. 4.5, would buy used on vinyl
Yeah, decent
This album kicks ass. And it makes me miss simpler rhymes and flows. RUN DMC can do far more with less words and simpler beats, then most people could ever hope to. The last couple songs drag a little. But overall, this rules
Was fun!!!!
5*
What's not to love!!!
Classic!
Awesome
В Е Л И К О Л Е П Н О идеальный баланс живой энергетики, шикарных битов и (внезапно) гитарок очень комфортный тайминг, не замечаешь как гоняешь на повторе
алокальбом: въебал ерша и погнал на нк ебашить
Every song is a banger
Really liked this album. Old school with such a great beat. A+!!
Damn this is a good album. Every track has a beat that is interesting and engaging, and the lyrics are clever and well crafted whether they are about big macs or black rights. Run-DMC are known as some of the best to ever do it, and for good reason, no notes. Favorite track was ItsTricky.
Perhaps one Run-DMC album in the list would have been enough, to give space to acts like Newcleus and Whodini, and I am not sure which one I like more (the Run-DMC debut or this one). But 5 stars obviously.
Despite not being the first, imo this the first rap album that checks all the boxes. Solid rhymes/hooks, solid scratching, solid rock/rap hybrid. Lyrics embrace every person, not gangs, or agendas.
Surprisingly fun. I go back and forth on the verses, but the beats make up for it. Maybe a four, buts it a good listen that you can show your boys and your parents
A classic of old school hip hop
The album that sparked my love for hip hop music. It is hard to explain the impact of this record at the time, it was a shift in rap that moved it forward lightyears. Without Run DMC the world of rap and hip hop would be a much different animal
The 90s sounded like this album.
One of my favorite rap albums. Alfa lyrics and beats.
The original Rap/Hip-hop album. Classic.
Previous Familiarity: Very High. Already in my top 100! This album holds the distinction of being my introduction to hip-hop. And it was love at first meeting! "Walk This Way" was on constant rotation on MTV, and I went crazy for it every time it was on. Most of my 8th year was waiting for MTV to play it again...and again! Those cool-as-fuck black guys finding common ground with a crazy-ass looking (and sounding) white guy was very influential for my impressionable and sheltered, Midwest suburban brain. My love of hip-hop was born. The album begins with maybe the greatest 4-song stretch in hip-hop history: - "Peter Piper" - "It's Tricky" - "My Adidas" - "Walk This Way" If all 4 of those were not instantaneously playing in your head, all at the same time, then we've got real problems. And, though "Walk This Way" will always hold a special place in my heart I would go so far as to say that "Peter Piper" may be the greatest hip-hop song of all time. The rest of the album tapers off to just being good, but the influence to everything that came after, and that opening stretch of 4 classics, makes this a top-tier album in my book.
dope af.
Peak...
Loved it when I was younger....love it now!
Standout tracks: "It's Tricky," "Walk This Way," "Proud to be Black," "You Be Illin'," "Raising Hell" Lyrics- 4/5 Instrumentals- 4.75/5 Production- 5/5 Vibes- 5/5 Overall: 5/5 This is a great album. I've never delved much into Run-DMC, but this style of early rap is definitely one of my favorites. The lyrics were fun and the instrumentals were amazing. The album goes in many different directions, to some lyrics genuinely being somewhat comedic and others being very genuine and heartfelt. It's just all in all a very well-rounded album and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
As I don't follow Run-DMC, I was surprised at how many of the songs I knew. Very lively songs.
Fantastic and classic hip hop
An all -timer for me. 10/5.
Classic hip hop. Every song is catchy and some are so explosive it changed our culture and catapulted hip hop into the mainstream.
It's tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time, it's tricky It's tricky, tricky, tricky, tricky It's tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time, it's tricky Tr-tr-tr-tricky, tricky, tricky
This album was how I was introduced to rap as a kid. You couldn’t convince me that there is one bad song.
Solid. A lot of great rap on this album.
Old school late 80s hip hop. Love it.
A few months ago, I was bored at work, and decided to check out this album since I knew it was on the list, but before that, I was only familiar with a small handful of Run-D.M.C.'s songs. This album was absolutely fantastic. This is easily some of the best rapping that I've ever heard. The lyrics are unique and sometimes witty, and everyone has incredible flow. The beats and samples are simple, but that's exactly what this album needed, so that the rapping could be the star of the show. Jam Master Jay's turntable work is incredible as well. His work syncs up with the rapping in all the right places, and his skills really help make this album what it is. I wouldn't say that I really love this album, but listening to it, I can't help but recognize how incredibly great it is, and just how well done each element is and how those elements all add up to become this amazing whole. This album is easily one of the most influential albums on this list. Run-D.M.C.'s team-up with Aerosmith to remake "Walk This Way" is probably single handedly responsible for catapulting rap music into the mainstream. This album smashed through multiple barriers, and helped rap and hip hop receive the credit they deserve as a musical art form.
Would recommend listening to while walking the dog
Stone cold classic
This is such a feel good album. Had me walking down the street with a bigass kooky smile. Peter piper is forsureeee the fav
I absolutely loved listening to this. Such a fun time. You can really tell how influential it was too.
Dated in a way that makes me smile instead of groan (fucking losing my mind at the aerosmith cover, it's so good). This one must have been huge at the time, I feel like this is still probably a lot of people's mental model of how rap music sounds.
Yasssssssss so good :)
I had high expectations. They were surpassed.
Will need to revisit
If there's one album that 1001 is in need of, it's the one that's straight beat boxing. Reluctantly, Son of Byford will have to sufice until a replacement appears and that's okay by me. The only album to supplant this in 7th grade was License to Ill. And y'all'd think I be illin if I said this but it's true, Raising Hell still holds a sweet spot inside me.
Just a hip hop classic. ITS TRICKY TO RAP ON TIME
Cool album, probably will never listen to it again. BUT i gotta say: listening to this for the first time in the 80's must've slap. Props for RUN DMC for being so influential and important to the genre =).
A true classic of rap, solid all the way through.
So good!
This was just a bad ad for KFC. ..not bad meaning bad, but bad meaning good.
Brought modern hiphop into the limelight. Roots of all the rap I love today. Thank goodness they brought albums into the mainstream.
Backnin 8ps
You be Illin’ is incredible. Hit it Run, Raising Hell and Peter Piper, he’ll this whole album is dope.
wonderful album, I love it
Cool dudes being cool from beginning to end. Don’t think I ever listened to the whole album before and it gets a little repetitive, but also kind of cooler because you get to see they’re going for a vibe and it’s not about any one song. Also wouldn’t have been able to put the finger on this as what I think of when I think of baseline hip hop for me, but this is definitely it. Seems like it’s probably the case for a lot of middle American suburban kids - probably even now! Hearing it through, it’s interesting how closely it cleaves to garage rock band sound throughout - especially on songs like Raising Hell. Came out in 86, and I was only listening to what my parents put on the radio until early 90s, so must have been via wedding soundtracks that it first made it into my brain. Glad it did!
I didn't know this was the group that made Walk This Way
Classic.
An easy 5 stars for one of the biggest names that brings hip hop to the mainstream. The production and the flow is old school but the influence is massive. It’s Tricky is my all time favourite Run DMC track.
I liked!
Loved it. Will be listening to again. Hear similarities with the Beastie Boys.
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah. 5/5 yeahs
A classic. Old school rap and hip hop at it's finest. I don't miss the early Rap drum beat sound, but this stuff is great.
An iconic album that had an immense influence on all rap and hip-hop moving forward. It's difficult to give all that credit to a single album, but it's truly impressive just how far-reaching it's impacts have been.
This might have been the first hip-hop album I bought as a young teen so it really took me back.
Have it
Wow! Those first four tracks come out hard! I see how this finally broke the hip hop barrier to make it mainstream. Back half of the album doesn't match the same quality, but that's a very high bar. Perfection, Hit It Run, and Proud to Be Black are all good tracks and Dumb Girl is just fun. Was expecting to find Run DMC corny but this album was great.
Loved it!
I just turned 13 and this album was the most awesome gift. I listened the shit out of it for the summer. Then gone... probably lost the cassette. Funny thing is that I never thought about this album again, until tonight. This album was epic. Perhaps I didn't realize it at 13, but this was history. 30 something years later, I still feel this. It is not dated. Nothing ever sounded like Raising Hell. Thank you for bringing this back into my life.
Solid classic! Really enjoyed listening to this album again. Brought back some amazing memories from my childhood
If someone was eating a can of dog food they would in fact be illing.
Walk This Way is such a huge song for HipHop and Rock. Run DMC just has such a polished sound and as much as they rely heavily on turntables and drum machines, they also leverage a lot of traditional drums and guitar throughout the record. Legendary status.
Good
Vraiment très emballé. C'est du hip-hop à l'ancienne (et ça change un peu, déjà, ce qui est appréciable). Chaque titre a son identité, les samples sont bien, et j'aime beaucoup le côté fusion rap-rock (et le feat avec aerosmith en particulier).
Great album. Interesting and relevant lyrics that made listening worthwhile. I didn't know Tricky was from this album, important to keep in mind. My favorite from this album: My Adidas, It's Tricky, Hit it Run, and You be Ill'in. But all then songs had their own unique flavor and interesting aspects which made this album not boring at all. 10/10 would listen to again multiple times.
This is my second album by Run-D.M.C. on this generator, and this one is equally as fantastic as the first one!! These guys style of clean early hip hop is awesome and refreshing! Their collaboration with Aerosmith to remix Walk This Way is great!! This album is front loaded for sure, with Peter Piper, It's Tricky, My Adidas, and Walk This Way being the first four songs on the record! Overall, I loved today's album! Would definately listen again! Perfection on tape! Favourite songs: It's Tricky, Walk This Way, Raising Hell, My Adidas, Peter Piper, You Be Illin', Is It Live, Hit It Run, Proud to be Black Least favourite songs: Perfection, Dumb Girl 5/5
A classic that I enjoy now just as much as when I brought the record home in 8th grade and bothered my parents with it!
Classic
Hip hop classic. Bars upon bars upon bars.
This is in the conversation for one of the greatest Side 1's in history. Starting off with Peter Piper, It's Tricky, My Adidas, and Walk This Way? I mean, come on. It does lose a little steam as it goes, but what wouldn't drop off from that high?
Kind of them to find a way to make Aerosmith enjoyable to me. This album rules, I love this era and I wish it was more commercially successful now so we’d get more.
It's crazy how many one liners from this album still show up in rap songs. Classic and wild influential
I usually dread hip hop records. Not my thing. I’m just not the target market for them. My exception to that is records from the golden age of hip hop. I’ve grown to really enjoy these records. This one is no different. I find the anger and rebelliousness present in classic punk here too. While it’s not my experiences I can see these as a clear window into what the groups are feeling and experiencing.
Even taking the historical significance away, the album is an 5. Every single song slaps but don’t drag out; each is interesting, don’t overstay their welcome and stay reigned in and mesh well. Chemistry between the two is excellent and the lyrics are great. (Caveat 5 is that this producer produced the beastie boys first album.)
Easily one of my favorite rap albums to date. It's really easy to see how it advanced the popular rap game and how it got many people into the genre
This was a very awesome listen. I've liked all of the Run-DMC that I had heard prior to listening to this, so I went in expecting a good time and I was not disappointed in the slightest! I liked pretty much everything on here. It's Tricky remains a jam no matter how many times I've heard it, and I also very much enjoy the recreation of Walk this Way. Raising Hell was dope as well. I've got nothing negative to say, and I'm glad to have listened to this classic. This will be my 2nd 5 star review. I think it is 100% deserved.
5 I was a senior in High School when this album came out it was definitely the album of the year for my school. I have to admit, I have forgotten how good this album was and still is to this day. I absolutely loved playing this over the the last few days. And now it's back on my radar, will add a number of songs to my playlist. Brought back some wonderful memories of my last year spent in Ann Arbor. You couldn't find a get together where this album wasn't played, with most of us trying our best at beat box and singing along. I think this may be the greatest rap album, from beginning to end, I have ever heard. Every song is fantastic. This was a time rap was good, fun music everyone enjoyed, regardless of race or musical taste. I'd say this is a rock/rap album. It certainly blows away any of the modern rap bullshit. No smacking up your bitch, shooting people and you notice, no N-words in your face every other word. This is the good stuff. I could sit here all day and type up awesome lines or beats, but I'd just be describing every song on the album. I know in my household, my family has heard me state many times, Not bad meaning bad, but bad meaning good! Probably safe to say, most fans of these guys or genre know first four songs, but for this guy, the 2-3 best songs are Raising Hell and then Son of Byford rolling into Proud to Black. Shit, we all would sing along, white, black, girls and boys. Just a great time in my life before I moved on to college. You Be Illin and Dumb Girl are little cheesy, but cheesy at it's finest! Not a bad song off this album. Great stuff and happy for all the memories and times of my life this album made me think about. I'm handing out something very rare from me - a solid 5! 5
This is a fantastic old school hip hop album. Run DMC is top shelf stuff.
This album is great. I still prefer their debut, but that's the way it goes with first loves. Elevated to 5 stars because the "Walk This Way" video is the greatest video of all time.
Almost dropped it down to a 4 as it does sound a bit dated. But, this is such a huge album.
Incredibly defining album for rap. Opens with four absolute bangers. One of the strongest side A:s ever? Only “perfection” brings it down. Together with their debut the absolute high point of their career. The minimalistic beats are banging and the back and forth between Run and D.M.C is incredibly enjoyable. Ah, the good old days when rap lyrics was all about who is the realest rapper. I don’t care that a lot of the lyrics are basic, this slaps.
Every song on this album is good.
i mean the skill…
Pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Rick Rubin, who produced this album, tells an interesting story about how he pitched covering Walk This Way to Run DMC as a way to introduce hip hop to the mainstream. It may be their most played song on Spotify, but it wasn't even my favorite from this album.
Groovy, classic, old-school hip-hop. Fun vibes. Addictive rock rap. Paved the way for future generations.
Pure genius!
Amazing. Enlightening hahah
A revelation for someone not usually into hip hop. Starts fast and hard and doesn't stop or let up. Just maybe pure perfection in the form of a hip hop album??
I had a few tacks from this album on my iPod nano, it’s awesome to hear the rest of the album finally. I love that all the beats for the most part are just drums and a phat guitar riff
.
Several really well known songs. Old school hip-hop that definitely changed the the entire genre. I enjoyed listening to it and I would listen it to again.
Muy bueno
No shame in saying my first exposure to this album was from SSX Tricky.
2 ill
Fun to put an artist to a song I have heard thousands of times (It's Tricky) I can't believe Aerosmith ripped these guys off (Walk this way) Run DMC could be honorary Beachy Boys members. I really like this late 80's early 90's hip hop sound and the variety of beats they were able to produce with horns, scratching, and the sounds that remind me of playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater. I appreciate that we got Cypress Hill just before this to get a better understanding on the East vs West coast rap debate that I know was prevalent back then. Lyrics aren't as heavy as the ones on Cypress Hill, but the beats are more fun! Great album, would listen again.
Soft spot here but it’s amazing how good it still sounds.
proper old school block party hip hop. walk this way is the obvious game changer and probably one of the most significant song of the evers, so I'll throw down a 5 and you can keep the change
Cmon. This is the best. 5/5
It's crazy how huge this was when it came out, how much influence Walk This Way had in pushing the crossover potential of rap and hip hop. Pretty much the perfect 80s New York rap album.
fucking nice ouwe
I really wish that modern Hip Hop would look back at its roots. Funny, great production and just a blast.
This album is so good and absolutely changed rap
Possibly the most influential album in hip hop- underground genre goes overground, merges with before eventually destroying rock music as the basis for mainstream records henceforth, name checks brands to create whole new fashion movements, swagger and pride in full effect. Run DMC make this look good and inspire thousands of rappers that matter. We can quibble over a few tracks that drag but heavy hits here and as for impact this is five stars all the way.
Hip-hop. Dos megahits. Venga, le pongo un 5 por la que tienen con Aerosmith.
What a fantastic rap album. Truly one of the best rap albums of all time and one that absolutely defines the genre. 5/5. Favorite Track: It's Tricky
"Raising Hell" is the third studio album from by American hip-hop group Run-DMC. The album was produced by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin and was extremely successful being the first platinum and multi-platinum hip-hop album and the first album to top the Billboard top R&B/Hip-Hop album charts. It is credited as heralding in the golden age of hip-hop and the hip-hop album era and was inducted in 2018 to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its artistic significance. Quite the legacy and achievements. "Peter Piper" begins the album as Run-DMC uses nursery rhyme names such as the Big Bad Wolf, Hansel and Rip Van Winkle to state their excellent rapping ability. The beats. The bells. "My Sharona" and "Mickey" are sampled in the catchy " It's Tricky." Irresistible chorus and beats. The scratching. Hey, it's hard to rap. Their first single "My Adidas" layers more beats. I think the band got their million dollars. The song was also credited with influencing company endorsement deals with hip-hop musicians. And speaking of influencing, "Walk This Way" was one of the first successful rock-rap collaborations, brought hip-hop to the mainstream, was the first hip-hop song to reach the Top 100 and re-kick-started the career of Aerosmith. And probably more things I'm sure. Of course, I remember the MTV video and immediately liked this song. I think Joe Perry's guitar and solo sounds better than in the original. "Hit It Run" added other noises to the beats and scratching. "It's McDaniels not McDonalds." "You Be Illin'" is just hilarious. "Ordering Big Mac and fries at Kentucky Fried Chicken." "Yelling touchdown at a basketball game" Sampling Kurt's Blow's "AJ Scratch" with the beats. The album ends with the more serious "Proud to be Black." The rapping intensity is amped up for sure. Mentioning Harriet Tubman, Jesse Owen's, Malcolm X and Dr. King. This song maybe foreshadows the more serious nature of hip-hop as Chuck D has cited this album as being extremely influential. This album was extremely fun to listen to today. It has its place in history and still sounds great.
The best hip hop group’s best album.
ABsolute Caliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick-ed with this stuff
Not just a good album. An important album.
Just what I expected with some good vibes that were new to me.
So. Goddamn. Good. Four absolute heaters to start the album, and the rest of the tracks follow suit. Favorite track: My Adidas
T3B 1. It’s Tricky 2. Raising Hell 3. Peter Piper Banger after banger. It don’t stop and Run rock rhymes. It’s a perfect 5!
I love this album for its musicality blended with hip-hop. Many a bus trip in high school band had this as the soundtrack.
So good. As fun as it is insightful. Their call and response style is timeless.
A great Album by a great Band Just Bangers One of The best Rap-Rock collabs with Aerosmith ("Walk this way") In my Opinion this Album is very Importen for Rap and Hip-Hop
Loved it
Pre-corny, post-hype
Loved this album when I was a teenager, hadn’t listened to it in a lot of years and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT 😊 Ended up listening to another couple of their albums when I finished this one.
Top notch
Seminal hip-hop album.
This was great and i will 100% put this on at a party in the future.
When the album could easily be confused as a greatest hits compilation, you know its a five-star. 5/5.
1. Peter Piper - Shout out to the DJ, interesting mixup of word play with nursery rhymes. I liked this. 2. It's Tricky - Goddamn classic, brings back my childhood playing SSX Tricky. 3. My Adidas - I still sing this when I see Adidas... timeless. 4. Walk This Way - Probably one of the biggest hits in hiphop history. I want to note that the flow between the tracks to this point has been amazingly well done. The cohesiveness of the album is spot on. As far as mixing hiphop with rock music goes, does it get better than this? Somehow it works so well. 5. Is It Live - The flow! You gotta love the cymbals here man. 6. Perfection - They slow it down a bit here, not bad, not bad. Sounds like a garage hiphop song. Just a dude with a drumset and a couple MCs. 7. Hit It Run - Intensity is back up here but with a slower beat. Almost Run the Jewels vibes on this, surely they took some influence from this style. Kinda fun and silly too lol. 8. Raising Hell - Rock riffs once again, works well for em. Good song. 9. You Be Illin - Bring in the horns and more 808s. Word play, I'm digging it. 10. Dumb Girl - DAMN that 808 hits. 11. Son of Byford - Small intro 12. Proud to Be Black - I think I recognize the start of this. Maybe its been used as an anthem? Pretty good. Overall, I really enjoyed. The flow is really nice, the 808s hit, the DJ work is top notch, it sounds modern except for the interplaying MCs... That does date it a bit but man I love it. The energy is high throughout, feels good!
Just a classic. This makes a nice change from the 70s prog rock albums.
I had to turn the bass up on my equalizer for this revolutionary album. The rock and 80s hip-hop fusion is immediately recognizable as Run-DMC. “Peter Piper” makes me feel like playing basketball at the park and is my favorite cut off of this album.
fun
Awesome!
I loved listening to this one. You can hear how they influenced other musicians. It was very enjoyable.
Loved it
Super catchy, though it’s not my style, It’s obviously an amazing album. The lyrics alone are worth 5 stars, but the flow of beat/rhythm kept while not being monotonous throughout the album is down right impressive.
It really is tricky to rock a rhyme.
This is easily the most fun album I've listened to on this list. It's hard for me to separate nostalgia for quality, but I "fave"d just about every song on it. This is back when the only thing that mattered in rap was the lyrics so every song follow the same basic musical pattern: Run: 2 measures DMC: 2 measures Run: 1 measure DMC asks a question: 1 measure Run + DMC answer together louder: 2 measures But it fucking works. 5 stars
Great bit of classic hip hop for a sunny Friday. Stripped down beats, sometimes problematic lyrics with a few scuzzy guitar interludes. Great stuff
I think it's very vital.
I noticed that both this album and Licensed to Ill dropped within 6 months of each other. Same label, same producer, both equally classic. And yet, I never heard the tracks on this album on top 40 radio unless they were samples. Institutionalized racism sucks. This album rules.
Foda fuck Everybody hates chris
Ah we've come across another historic hip-hop landmark! 86 was a great year for rap License to Ill also came out.
Hell yea
5/5. Doesn’t get much more classic
What better opening salvo could there be than the first four tracks of this album! Tens across the board! After that, the album hits a solid groove, but nothing could match the first 20 minutes or so. I can't not rate this highly ( not least because I busted out a picture disc of it to listen to today)
Tämäkin hyllystä löytyy ja aikoinaan urakalla popitettu, todella kova edelleen
Bangin.
Great album, loved every song, from the hugely famous ones (it's tricky, walk this way, my adidas) to the fun ones (you be illin') to the serious ones (proud to be black). Proper hip hop, still relevant today. Love it love it love it!
As the songs says, Perfection.
This record is great! It's a symbol of its period, with most of Run DMCs most known songs. The beatbox tracks are so cool! A must listen!
A Hip Hop classic to kick things off…
Still awesome from start to finish.
Very very very nice,
I LOVE THAT RAP <3 5/5 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND AEROSMITH <3 <3 <3 I FUCKING LOVE THEM!!!
Absolute bangers. Not a fan of “Perfection” and “Hit and Run” but the rest are so much fun!!!
Hip-hop. Dos megahits. Venga, le pongo un 5 por la que tienen con Aerosmith.
it's tricky
I have, of course, heard this before x
Almost every song was 5/5 and the album as a whole was both fun and great sources of nostalgia. I loved the pace of their rapping - it’s clever wordplay that I can understand.
An absolute classic of Hip-hop, with songs that remain well-known even today.
I wish I had more time to write this review. An easy 5, fun, catchy, and also some political moments. Great album!
Ebenso minimalistisch wie auf den Punkt - haut total rein. Was für beats und tighte raps - und mehr ist es (und braucht es) auch nicht. Da kann man nicht nicht furiously mit dem Kopf nicken. Sogar erste Cross Over Anleihen in einem sonst so old-school hip hop album. Wow. Key Tracks: Tricky, Walk this way, peter piper, dumb girl (LOL)
Styles have changed, but they're the OG
The album that brought hip-hop out of the cities and into nationwide attention. An undeniable classic.
Fun 80s Rap - Solid album.
This album is so iconic and influential that I have to remind myself sometimes it's not a parody. "Not bad meaning bad, but bad meaning good!" "It's Tricky" is a song I rediscovered a few years back and has been in my playlists since. So fun. "Walk This Way" has had such an influence on music since it came out that it's hard to remember how novel it was back in the day. "Perfection" has what might be my favorite lyrics ever in a rap: "I got prescription glasses and my eyes are correct/ Two times every year I go to have them checked." "You Be Illin'" is the one I listened to multiple times. I love the sound and the humor. I loved the beatboxing, the scratching, the beats. This is where it all became a Big Thing.
I love this album. I have listened to it recently independent of this project. It full of fun raps and DJing. Nostalgic, yes, but also just fun.
Had a great time listening to this. Have always loved the Walk This Way, It's Tricky, and You Be Illin'. Great to hear the rest of this classic. Super fun.
So excellent.
You Be Illin' is A+ lol
😘👌
Great album, loved every song, from hugely famous (walk this way) to the fun ones (you be illin) to the serious ones (proud to be black). Proper hip hop, still relevant today. Love it love it love it!
Frábært old school rapp!
Classic. Takes me back. 5/5
I listened to this tape nonstop for a while as a kid. Peter Piper still holds up, as do many of the other tracks (Run's House!). So good.
качает
Un buen disco q me trae varios recuerdos! de películas series etc
You can't love rap without loving RUN DMC. This album represents the best of RUN DMCs smart lyrics and seemless flow. Walk this Way may be the best Rap/Rock collaboration of all time.
I had never listened to rap or hip hop before, so I was skeptical about this one. I decided to start out with the s/t before this album, and I pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable the experience was. I ended up listening to early hip hop all day! This a must-listen for sure and I'll keep going back to this one. Peter Piper has some of the most creative and imaginative lyrics I've heard. It's Tricky is catchy and can jam to. My Adidas started off the partnerships with shoe brands. Walk This Way made hip hop mainstream (and re-popularized Aerosmith). All the other songs have their highlights. Hit It Run has interesting edits, Raising Hell is a banger, Proud to be Black is a powerful commentary, and You Be Illin is a humorous tie-in. It's a fun album that sets a direct tone and impact on the audience. There's a bit here and there for everyone.
Awesome
Run DMC is on fire. Lyrics are so smooth, both MCs are locked in. JamMasyer Jay's beats are incredible. Flow is good for album choices. Great classic rap/hip hop group and album.
banger
Top-5 songs are great, tails off after that
Loved it. Definitely going back for future listens.
27th May 2021 Listened on a cycle in to the understudy to meet Douggie. Turned up on time but he's late. Late 80s rap and hip hop? 5 stars all the way.
obvs good. my typa music
Great album, tricky a good example of the overlaying vocals shouting over each other
first album renerated here, was listening to this the other day
love that shit. great fun. love when they go back and forth on like every other word. it's tricky will always be a bop
One of the great early rap albums. You Be Illin' is one of the earliest songs I remember listening to, and Walk This Way is just an insane rock/rap crossover. These guys are just having a shit ton of fun, and it really shows Already Saved: It's Tricky, Walk This Way, You Be Illin' Saved After Listening: Is It Live, Raising Hell
Great hip hop classic
Rap rock at its finest and most innovative
OK sounds like tiktok cringe tok
Such a fun album! Brings back so many memories! Loved it.
Certified classic!
Another album that I've never heard all the way through. I've already stated that hip hop isn't normally in my wheelhouse, but this one is objectively great and definitely deserves a place on this list. 5 stars.
Bangers!
I forgot how high energy they are.
jo geht, kannte tatsächlich schon ein paar der Lieder und die sind auch echt vibes. Aber so ganz 100% überzeugt bin ich nicht.
Tidy AF
True classic. Att den fortfarande funkar efter 35 år är magi.
4.5/5. A bit samey throughout (songs blending into each other although that's certainly a curse of younger ears than the record), but this is certainly a classic. Didn't expect to really enjoy the rap-rock combination as much as I did, but it goes hard. Glad to have heard this. Standout Tracks: Peter Piper, It's Tricky, Hit It Run, Raising Hell
Arguably THE album that shaped the path of 80s hip-hop, this is simply one of the best
Quite old sounding. Very sparse production, very oldschool flow. The opening 4 tracks are all classics, and while it does go downhill a bit from there, it's hard not to rate this album highly.
I obviously knew some of these songs but I had never listened to the whole album. I might give it a listen again on another day wandering through the neighborhood and see what vibes I get. Overall positive vibes here.
Overall Rating - 3.59/5 (7.18/10). Really a good album. Walk This Way is incredible.
Peter Piper ++ it's tricky ++ my Adidas + walk this way ++ raising hell + you be Iillin' +
'Old School' isn't old school enough. A dead style, but exciting fun at the time.
The quintessential old school hip-hop. I recognize it's importance to the rap game and hip-hop as a whole, but for me personally, this album doesn't really age that well for everyday listening. A magnificent piece of rap history that should probably just stay like that. History.
The positives on this: - It created a new hybrid genre of Rap/Rock. - The interplay between them was great. - It was highly influential in pushing rap towards albums rather than singles. - The scratching and DJ work is high level. - Walk this way and It’s tricky still stand up well now The negatives: - It created a new hybrid genre of Rap/Rock. - The misogyny
No plans to listen to the whole album again, but definitely not the last time I want to listen to Tricky
I do not like Aerosmith so I don't really like Walk this Way, the rest of side 1 is really good though. Side 2 lost me a little bit. 3.5/5
Run DMC: definitely here for influence over quality in my opinion, but that’s not to say it’s bad. Beats are crisp and vocal styles are stylish, but we’re kind of in the “proto-hip hop” era of lyricism where the lyrics lack a lot of nuance, commentary, etc. Glad the album exists for what it did for the industry, and overall a pretty fun listen. 6.5/10.
Classic quality hip hop.
Pretty cool
Personally, I go crazy every time I hear this version of "Walk This Way." Great rap/hip-hop album.
The foundations of hip hop. Some absolute classics on here, from the goofy 'You be Illin' to the high energy 'It's Tricky' to the rap rock fusion of 'Walk This Way'. It's wall to wall hits. Yes it's aged and feels quaint and some of the lyricism is a bit nursery rhyme-y by today's standards but it's just such a fun album.
#406 The opening 4 songs are about as good as one could hope for, and they typify an old school hiphop album. Of course, this was pioneering in the sense of rock rap, and even though it sounds very of its time, it somehow still feels fresh. Heard before? ❌ Would I revisit? ✅ Listen before you die? ✅ Fave track(s): It’s Tricky; Walk This Way Rating: 8/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
super classic, full of great lines
Really good heavy vibes
kinda forgot I have this album on CD, so it was a nice surprise that this came up. I now realise that when it comes to rap and hip hop, my preference is east coast rap which features beastie boys, run dmc, public enemy and grandmaster flash. It is west coast rap where the lyrical content is more about gangs, drugs and sex, whereas east coast either goes into more sociopolitical issues in a more nuanced style or keeps certain serious subjects in a more subtle light, sometimes with a more jolly and friendlier sound. Rap music isn't my favourite genre so my opinions may be flawed and biased, so I should really try listening to other rap albums in order to form a much more accurate and objective opinion.
I like it
Every time Run show up on this list I initially get whiplash with how primitive the songs are. Then 3 or so in, they just click. A 4 might be a tad strong but a 3 feels disingenuous. I cannot believe Fergalicious is NOT sampling/interpolating You Be Illin' they sound so similar - im on to you Will.I.Am Favorite Song: Peter Piper, Raising Hell
Minus 4 stars for the unbearable Aerosmith feature, but somehow it‘s still 4/5
Love them