Run DMC - Ultimate Run DMC

Who’s house? Yeah, whattya know, it’s a real song! As with “Thriller”, a little LL, and other albums I keep close to me, sometimes it’s just good to return to the classics. What more can really be said about Run DMC? Hip hop pioneers who forever branded generations to come and should be eternally praised through one disc: Ultimate Run DMC.

One of the many reasons Run DMC is special is because they were the first group to spotlight their DJ as an artist. This feature, along with witty, non-drug/alcohol heavy lyrics and fresh production is on display right from the beginning on “Rock Box:”

You’re the kind of guy that girl ignored
I’m drivin Caddy, you fixin a FORD
My name is Joseph Simmons but my middle name’s Lord
and when I’m rockin on the mic, you should all applaud
Because we’re (wheelin, dealin, we got a funny feelin)
We rock from the floor up the ceilin
We groove it (you move it) it has been proven
We calmed the seven seas because our music is SOOTHIN
We create it (relate it) and often demonstrate it
We’ll diss a sucker MC, make the other suckers hate it
We’re rising (suprising) and often hypnotizing
We always tell the truth and then we never slip no lies in
No curls (no braids) peasy-head and still get paid
Jam Master cut the record up and down and cross-fade

Also on this track is the infamous Calvin Klien line, which shows how the group originated the brand shoutout, both in good and bad lights, way before corporate America recognized Hip Hop as a marketing medium. Their innovation was the forefront of 80’s rap genius, brought by tight rhymes and funky fresh beats that are still being used by today’s hottest producers (Jermaine Dupri, Missy Elliot). I personally love the old school production on “Together Forever.” Give me a throwback keyboard from Service Merchandise and I can re-create the beat (minus the bass line) in a day. Whatup Kanye.

Beats and lyrics aside, there wouldn’t be a lot of people doing what they do today without Run DMC. The best analogy I heard regarding the Jay-Z/Linkin Park collabo of a couple years ago was, “Are they the new Run DMC/Aerosmith?” That is the high bar they envisioned for hip hop because they not only had the marketing/crossover insight but music acumen to recognize a hot thing. In my opinion, Linkin Park and HOV put up a good effort but fell way short in walking in the group’s footsteps. I suggest you dig that cowbell if you already don’t know and love Run DMC and Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.”

As it goes, their influence cannot overshadow the classics they did create. For instance, check the “Down with the King” lyrics:

Down with the king for years, about ten of ‘em
recruiting suckers, Mac and Mike, and makin’ men of ‘em
tears and fears for my peers, they rippin’
you think that it is, it is, if not it isn’t
race for the border my daughter, ’cause beats you’re bangin’ out
jeeps rockin’ beats in the streets when there’s time for hangin’ out
gather, or rather form a circle around a loud
’cause brothers or others could never ever rock a crowd
is it because he’s runnin’ off with the mouth
or was he really clearly tryin’ to play a nigga out
nope, shut him down, the king with a crown
’cause all you wanna be is dicky down

The lyrics are sick but Run’s flow is something legendary. Watch his show if you need any proof - the passion is still there.

Overall, this is album is a refresher course for Hip Hop heads. If you’re kind of into hip hop, or you’re one of those “I like everything but country” persons, it may be a tougher appeal but you should be able to appreciate most of this CD for what it is. That said, tracks like “Tricky” should never go out of style.

Favorite Songs: “Rock Box”, “Run’s House”, “Walk This Way”, “It’s Tricky”, “Peter Piper” and “Down with the King.”

Final Review: If you’re into Hip Hop, Cop It! If you’re on the fence, find a friend.

Watch them boost Reading Rainbow’s street cred: