Top 15 Run DMC Songs
Run DMC revolutionized the music scene by bringing street beats to mainstream television, becoming the first Hip Hop group to achieve multi-platinum success. They played a pivotal role in introducing Hip Hop to the MTV generation and helped usher in the genre’s Golden Age. With their dynamic tag-team rhyming, seamless chemistry between Run and DMC, clever wordplay, Jam Master Jay’s musical brilliance, powerful beats, iconic fashion, and undeniable coolness, Run DMC dominated the scene for a significant period. Their impact and influence on Hip Hop history are undeniable. Here’s our top 15 Run DMC tracks. What do you think? Let’s discuss!
15. Rock Box (1984)
For all you sucker MC’s perpetrating a fraud / Your rhymes are cold wack and keep the crowd cold bored / You’re the kind of guy that girls ignored / I’m driving Caddy, you fixing a Ford…”
The third single from Run DMC’s debut album marks a turning point in Hip Hop history, as it’s the first to blend Hip Hop with rock, featuring a prominent rock guitar riff and solos. This innovative approach set them apart from the disco-infused rap that came before. Run DMC would further evolve this genre-blending sound in their subsequent albums, particularly with the breakthrough track “King Of Rock” and the globally successful crossover hit “Walk This Way” in collaboration with Aerosmith.
14. Hit It Run (1986)
“I’m the devastating mic controller D.M.C / And can’t nobody mess around with me”
One of the standout tracks from the iconic Raising Hell album.
13. It’s Like That (1983)
“You know it’s like that, and that’s the way it is / Because it’s like that, and that’s the way it is…”
“It’s Like That” marks Run DMC’s debut single, featuring the timeless track “Sucker MCs” on the B-side of the 1983 cassette release. Showcasing their signature back-and-forth style, this song offered social commentary and played a crucial role in establishing Run DMC’s presence in the Hip Hop scene, significantly influencing its evolution.
12. My Adidas (1986)
“My Adidas, walk through concert doors / And roam all over coliseum floors / I stepped on stage, at Live Aid / All the people gave, and the poor got paid”
A prime example of music as a vehicle for product endorsement, this track is a quintessential B-boy homage to their favorite sneakers. Regardless of its commercial intent, it features a classic beat and iconic rhymes.
11. Darryl And Joe (1985)
“I’m the rapper of the year and this the year of the rap / And I’m never drinking beer, it’s champagne at the tap / And I’m cold making money on a regular basis / Pullin out, knockin sucker MC faces”
The follow-up to Run DMC’s iconic track “Sucker MCs,” this song showcases pure rhyming over a solid drum beat, with Jam Master Jay delivering impressive turntable skills.
10. Run’s House (1988)
“Name is Run my son, number one for fun / Not a gun, that’s done, and get done by none / The other act, in fact, ya just wack I kill (Why?) / It’s fun, my son, and Run heads the bill!”
By 1988, the rap scene was evolving with new artists rising to prominence, and Run DMC was no longer the sole leader of Hip Hop. With “Run’s House,” the group made it clear they still had plenty to offer. The rallying cry of “Who’s house? Run’s house!” was their way of asserting their enduring influence.
9. Jam Master Jay (1984)
“J-A-Y are the letters of his name / Cutting and scratching are the aspects of his game / So check out the Master as he cuts these jams / And look at us with the mics in our hands / Then take a count, 1 2 3 / Jam Master Jay, Run-D.M.C”
A standout track from their 1984 debut album, this song highlights Jam Master Jay’s crucial role within the group. It’s important to remember that Run DMC is not just a duo but a trio consisting of Run, DMC, and Jam Master Jay.
8. King Of Rock (1985)
“I’m the king of rock, there is none higher / Sucker MC’s should call me sire / To burn my kingdom, you must use fire / I won’t stop rockin’ till I retire”
The opening track from their second album, “King Of Rock,” is a rock-influenced hit that solidified Run DMC’s position as Hip Hop’s emerging superstars with broad crossover appeal.
Fun fact: Run DMC performed this song at the iconic Live Aid concert in 1985.
7. Down With The King (1993)
“Sucka emcees could never swing with D / Because of all the things that I bring with me / Only G-O-D could be a king to me / And if the G-O-D be in me, then the king I be”
Following the underwhelming reception of their 1990 album Back From Hell, Run DMC made a notable comeback with their 1993 release Down With The King. The standout track from this album is their collaboration with Pete Rock & CL Smooth. Check out the video to catch all the cameo appearances!
6. Raising Hell (1985)
“Kings from Queens from Queens come Kings / We’re raisin hell like a class when the lunch bell rings…”
“Walk This Way” was a massive hit from Run DMC’s 1986 album Raising Hell. However, the standout track for us is the title track of the album. Run and DMC deliver their best, and the instrumental is hard-hitting—Raising Hell is truly a classic.
5. Together Forever (Live) (1984)
“It’s like that y’all, and we don’t stop the body rock / Now it’s together (forever) forever (together) / Run-D.M.C. and we’re tougher than leather / We’re making and breaking and snatching and taking / The deal’s for real we could never be faking…”
Another great track where Run and DMC exchange verses over a straightforward yet impactful 808 beat. Pure Hip Hop at its finest.
4. Hollis Crew (1984)
“Microphone master, super rhyme maker / I get def as the others get faker / It’s me, D.M.C. in the place to be / And I still got the same old harmony / I’m the devastating mic-controller / The word wizard and the chief rock roller…”
“Hollis Crew” is a solid follow-up to “Sucker MCs” and revisits the 1983 live track “Here We Go,” which is also incredibly impressive.
3. Beats To The Rhyme (1988)
“Beats to the rhyme, the rhyme I just made / Party at the jammie til lights the night fade / Trooping for the feature we all get paid / So let’s go…”
This track is intense, featuring an outstanding beat and sharp lyrics. It might just be the standout song from Run DMC’s fourth album, Tougher Than Leather.
2. Peter Piper (1986)
“His name is Jay / To see him play / Will make you say / God damn that DJ made my day”
This track is another homage to the versatile Jam Master Jay. Here, Run and DMC deliver rhymes inspired by nursery rhymes and fairy tales, all while celebrating JMJ’s turntable prowess. With impeccable tag-team rhyming and a stellar instrumental, it’s a standout song.
1. Sucker MCs (1983)
“Two years ago, a friend of mine / Asked me to say some MC rhymes…”
Released in 1983 alongside “It’s Like That,” this debut single marked the beginning of Run DMC’s journey and the emergence of the ‘new school’ in Hip Hop. Its minimalist, powerful beats set them apart from earlier Hip Hop artists and had a profound influence on future musicians. “Sucker MCs” remains one of Hip Hop’s most iconic tracks, featuring one of the genre’s most recognizable beats and solidifying its place as a classic.
Credit photo: “Run Dmc” by fred-cvc is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
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