What, indeed, is rap music?
No one really knew when Run DMC hit the scene, but they had a couple of big hits when they hit the studio for their next recording - but they had to wait, since they were not well-established, for rock band Riot to finish recording. Inspired by their rock sound, they recorded a song with heavy rock guitar over their beats...
... and hated it.
So they chose to release a version without guitar.
However, both versions got released, and it was the guitar version that was a huge hit.... and ultimately won the group over.
Because of course it did. This song is a classic.
Because of course it did. This song is a classic.
Run DMC first said a DJ could be a band, according to Public Enemy. This is the song they said that in, by the way..
I mention this now because this live performance with Jam Master Jay on the turntables really illustrates the power of the DJ.
So Jay passed in 2002. This ended Run DMC as a group - they were no more without their band. That doesn't mean that they stopped performing. Here is DMC in 2011, paying tribute to what he called the first rock-rap song.... and he may very well have been right.
Fast forward to 2021, and they did reform for occasional performances..
They're still spittin' mad rhymes.
OK, I get it. They didn't sound terrific in 2021.
You know when they did? 2023.
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