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Artist Spotlight

Run-DMC

East Coast hip-hop · 1986–1986

It's Tricky by Run-DMC — cover art

Picture a gritty street corner in Hollis, Queens, where the pulse of hip-hop began to echo through the concrete jungle. Run-DMC, comprised of Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and the legendary Jam Master Jay, burst onto the scene in 1981, redefining music with their unique blend of East Coast hip-hop and rap rock. With classics like "Walk This Way" and "It's Tricky," they didn't just create catchy tunes; they forged a powerful bond between MCs and DJs that propelled the genre forward. Their impact was monumental, paving the way for a new wave of hip-hop that would influence countless artists and shape the sound of a generation. When you think of the golden age of hip-hop, you can’t help but hear the unmistakable beats of Run-DMC reverberating through time.

The facts

  • Formed 1981
  • United States
  • East Coast hip-hop, rap rock, hardcore hip-hop
  • On Arista Records, Profile Records, Bertelsmann Music Group
  • Members: Joseph Simmons, Jam Master Jay, Darryl McDaniels

Run-DMC in the crate

It's Tricky by Run-DMC — cover art
It's Tricky
Run-DMC
1986
Walk This Way by Run-DMC — cover art
Walk This Way
Run-DMC
1986
Walk This Way (feat. Aerosmith) by Run-DMC — cover art
Walk This Way (feat. Aerosmith)
Run-DMC
1986

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