Released: 09/02/24
Future archaeologists will mark the 1980s as divided into before and after Run-DMC. Emerging in 1983 under Kurtis Blow’s mentorship, Joseph "Run" Simmons, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, and Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell revolutionized hip-hop with their raw, hard-edged sound on Run-DMC. Produced by Larry Smith, the album combined live grooves with sharp lyrics tackling real issues, not just bravado. Tracks like “Sucker M.C.s,” “It’s Like That,” and “Rock Box” set a new standard, blending powerful tag-team rhymes with Jam Master Jay’s expert DJing. As the first rap album to go Gold, Run-DMC laid the foundation for their future iconic success and remains a timeless classic.