Run-DMC, one of the most iconic and influential rap groups of all time, burst onto the scene in the early 1980s and forever changed the face of hip hop. Comprised of Joseph “Run” Simmons, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, and their DJ Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell, the group brought a raw and authentic energy to their music that resonated with audiences around the world. Known for their signature style of mixing hard-hitting beats with rock and roll samples, Run-DMC paved the way for future generations of rap artists and left an indelible mark on popular culture.
With a career spanning over two decades, Run-DMC released numerous hit songs that continue to be celebrated today. From their groundbreaking collaboration with Aerosmith on “Walk This Way” to their iconic anthem “It’s Tricky,” the group’s music has stood the test of time and continues to inspire new generations of fans.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the 20 best Run-DMC songs of all time, celebrating the group’s incredible contributions to the world of hip hop and beyond. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to their music, this list is sure to have something for everyone, showcasing the undeniable talent and influence of one of the greatest rap groups of all time.
1. Sucker MCs
“Sucker MCs” is a groundbreaking hip hop track by Run DMC, released in 1983 as their debut single. The song features a minimalist beat with a driving drum machine and sparse scratching, along with the group’s iconic vocals and lyrics that celebrate their skills as MCs. The song’s title serves as a warning to any wannabe rappers who try to copy their style, while the lyrics boast of their abilities as true masters of the craft. With its innovative sound and confident attitude, “Sucker MCs” helped to establish Run DMC as one of the most influential groups in the history of hip hop, paving the way for countless artists to follow in their footsteps.
2. Peter Piper
“Peter Piper” is a standout track from Run DMC’s 1986 album “Raising Hell”. The song features a memorable beat built around a sample from the classic funk song “Funky Worm” by the Ohio Players. The lyrics are a playful riff on the children’s rhyme “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers”, showcasing the group’s clever wordplay and ability to turn any phrase into a memorable rap. With its catchy hook and infectious energy, “Peter Piper” is a prime example of the innovative and influential sound that made Run DMC one of the most important groups in hip hop history.
3. Beats To The Rhyme
“Beats To The Rhyme” is a classic hip hop track by Run DMC, released in 1988 as part of their “Tougher Than Leather” album. The song features a pulsing beat with a heavy bassline and scratching, along with the group’s trademark powerful vocals and lyrics that showcase their skills as MCs. The song’s chorus repeats the phrase “Beats to the Rhyme” which serves as a nod to the importance of the beat in hip hop music. The lyrics focus on the group’s mastery of the craft and their desire to continue pushing the boundaries of what hip hop could be. With its infectious groove and powerful rhymes, “Beats To The Rhyme” remains a classic example of the innovative and influential sound that made Run DMC one of the most important groups in hip hop history.
4. King of Rock
“King of Rock” is a seminal hip hop track by Run DMC, released in 1985 as the title track of their second album. The song features a driving beat with heavy guitar riffs and scratching, along with the group’s signature powerful vocals and lyrics that assert their dominance over the genre. The lyrics reference the group’s rise to fame and their influence on the hip hop scene, with lines like “I’m the king of rock, there is none higher, sucker MCs should call me sire”. With its innovative sound and bold lyrics, “King of Rock” helped to establish Run DMC as one of the most important and influential groups in the history of hip hop, paving the way for the genre’s continued evolution and growth.
5. Hollis Crew
“Hollis Crew” is a classic hip hop track by Run DMC, released in 1984 as part of their album “Run DMC”. The song features a hard-hitting beat with a prominent bassline and scratching, along with the group’s iconic vocals and lyrics that pay homage to their hometown of Hollis, Queens. The song’s lyrics celebrate the group’s origins and their unique sound, with lines like “We’re from Hollis crew, from around the way, and we can rock, we can rock, any time or day”. With its infectious groove and bold attitude, “Hollis Crew” remains a classic example of the innovative and influential sound that made Run DMC one of the most important groups in hip hop history.
6. Together Forever
“Together Forever” is a classic hip hop track by Run DMC, released in 1984 as part of their album “Run DMC”. The song features a funky beat with a catchy guitar riff and scratching, along with the group’s signature vocals and lyrics that celebrate the bond between the group’s members. The song’s chorus repeats the phrase “Together Forever” which serves as a reminder of the group’s tight-knit friendship and their dedication to their craft. With its upbeat energy and positive message, “Together Forever” remains a beloved example of the innovative and influential sound that made Run DMC one of the most important groups in hip hop history.
7. Raising Hell
“Raising Hell” is a classic hip hop track by Run DMC, released in 1986 as the title track of their album of the same name. The song features a hard-hitting beat with a driving bassline and scratching, along with the group’s iconic vocals and lyrics that assert their dominance over the hip hop scene. The song’s chorus repeats the phrase “Raising Hell” which serves as a declaration of the group’s power and influence. The lyrics reference the group’s rise to fame and their impact on the genre, with lines like “I’m the king of rock, there is none higher, sucker MCs should call me sire”. With its bold sound and confident attitude, “Raising Hell” remains a classic example of the innovative and influential sound that made Run DMC one of the most important groups in hip hop history.
8. Down With The King
“Down With The King” is a landmark hip hop track by Run DMC, released in 1993 as the lead single of their album of the same name. The song features a sample of the group’s own classic “Peter Piper”, along with a powerful beat and scratching, and guest verses from rappers Pete Rock and CL Smooth. The lyrics reference the group’s legacy and their continued relevance in the hip hop scene, with lines like “I’m the king of rock, there is none higher, Sucker MCs should call me sire”. With its innovative sound and powerful lyrics, “Down With The King” solidified Run DMC’s place as hip hop royalty and helped to cement their legacy as one of the most influential groups in the history of the genre.
9. Run’s House
“Run’s House” is a classic hip hop track by Run DMC, released in 1988 as the lead single of their album “Tougher Than Leather”. The song features a hard-hitting beat with a driving bassline and scratching, along with the group’s signature vocals and lyrics that celebrate their success and influence in the hip hop scene. The song’s chorus repeats the phrase “This is Run’s House” which serves as a declaration of the group’s power and dominance over the genre. With its infectious groove and confident attitude, “Run’s House” remains a beloved example of the innovative and influential sound that made Run DMC one of the most important groups in hip hop history.
10. Jam Master Jay
“Jam Master Jay” is a heartfelt tribute by Run DMC to their late DJ and founding member, Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell. The song was released in 2000, shortly after Mizell was tragically killed in a shooting. The track features a somber beat with a prominent bassline and samples of Jay’s scratching, along with Run and DMC’s emotional vocals and lyrics that honor Jay’s legacy and influence in the hip hop scene. The lyrics express the group’s love and admiration for Jay, with lines like “You were the master of the game, never letting fame change you”. With its poignant message and heartfelt delivery, “Jam Master Jay” is a powerful testament to the enduring impact of Jam Master Jay and Run DMC’s contributions to hip hop culture.
11. Run’s House
“Run’s House” is a classic hip hop track by Run DMC, released in 1988 as the lead single of their album “Tougher Than Leather”. The song features a hard-hitting beat with a driving bassline and scratching, along with the group’s signature vocals and lyrics that celebrate their success and influence in the hip hop scene. The song’s chorus repeats the phrase “This is Run’s House” which serves as a declaration of the group’s power and dominance over the genre. With its infectious groove and confident attitude, “Run’s House” remains a beloved example of the innovative and influential sound that made Run DMC one of the most important groups in hip hop history.
12. Darryl And Joe
“Darryl and Joe” is a classic hip hop track by Run DMC, released in 1985 as a B-side to their hit single “King of Rock”. The song features a simple yet effective beat with a driving bassline and scratching, along with the group’s signature vocals and lyrics that pay tribute to their fellow MCs, Darryl McDaniels (DMC) and Joseph Simmons (Run). The song’s chorus repeats the phrase “Darryl and Joe” which serves as a declaration of the group’s bond and unity. With its infectious energy and catchy chorus, “Darryl and Joe” is a beloved example of the innovative and influential sound that made Run DMC one of the most important groups in hip hop history.
13. My Adidas
“My Adidas” is a classic hip-hop song by the group Run-DMC. It was released in 1986 as part of their album “Raising Hell”. The song pays homage to the Adidas brand of sneakers, which were a popular fashion statement at the time in the hip-hop community. The lyrics describe the group’s love for their Adidas sneakers and the role they play in their fashion and music. The song’s catchy beat, simple lyrics, and memorable chorus made it an instant hit, and it remains a classic of the genre to this day.
14. It’s Like That
“It’s Like That” is another classic hip-hop song by the group Run-DMC. It was released in 1983 as part of their self-titled debut album. The song features a simple but hard-hitting beat, and the lyrics discuss various social issues affecting the African American community, such as poverty, violence, and drug addiction. The song’s message of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity resonated with audiences, and it became a hit both in the United States and internationally. “It’s Like That” is often cited as one of the most influential hip-hop songs of all time, and it helped establish Run-DMC as one of the most important and innovative groups in the genre’s history.
15. Hit It Run
“Hit It Run” is a classic hip-hop song by the group Run-DMC. It was released in 1987 as part of their album “Tougher Than Leather”. The song features a funky beat and the group’s signature hard-hitting rap style. The lyrics describe the group’s prowess as performers and their ability to captivate audiences with their music. The song’s title is a reference to the group’s energetic stage presence and their ability to “hit” their performances with power and intensity. “Hit It Run” is another example of Run-DMC’s influence on the development of hip-hop, and it remains a popular and influential song in the genre to this day.
16. Rock Box
“Rock Box” is a classic hip-hop song by the group Run-DMC. It was released in 1984 as part of their album “Run-DMC”. The song features a heavy rock guitar riff mixed with hip-hop beats and scratching, creating a new sound that helped to define the genre. The lyrics describe the group’s desire to mix rock and hip-hop, and the song’s catchy chorus helped to make it an instant hit. “Rock Box” is often cited as one of the first hip-hop songs to incorporate elements of rock music, and it helped to establish Run-DMC as one of the most innovative and influential groups in the genre’s history.
17. It’s Tricky
“It’s Tricky” is another classic hip-hop song by the group Run-DMC. It was released in 1986 as part of their album “Raising Hell”. The song features a catchy beat, funky guitar riffs, and the group’s signature hard-hitting rap style. The lyrics describe the group’s skills as performers and their ability to hype up audiences with their music. The song’s title is a reference to the group’s ability to master difficult rap techniques and make them sound easy. The song’s memorable chorus and infectious beat made it a hit both in the United States and internationally, and it remains a classic of the genre to this day.
18. Proud to be Black
“Proud to be Black” is a socially conscious hip-hop song by the group Run-DMC. It was released in 1986 as part of their album “Raising Hell”. The song features a slow, deliberate beat and the group’s signature hard-hitting rap style. The lyrics describe the group’s pride in their African American heritage and culture, and they touch on issues such as racism, police brutality, and inequality. The song’s message of pride and empowerment resonated with audiences, particularly within the African American community, and it helped to establish Run-DMC as an important voice in the genre’s social and political consciousness. “Proud to be Black” remains a powerful and relevant song today, and it stands as a testament to the group’s influence and impact on hip-hop music and culture.
19. Walk this way
“Walk This Way” is a classic song by the rock band Aerosmith, which was re-recorded as a collaboration with hip-hop group Run-DMC in 1986. The collaboration was a groundbreaking moment in the history of popular music, as it brought together two seemingly disparate genres and created a new sound that would come to define the decade. The song features the iconic guitar riff from Aerosmith’s original version, mixed with Run-DMC’s hard-hitting rap style and scratching. The lyrics describe a party scene where people are dancing and having a good time. The song was a huge commercial success and helped to popularize hip-hop music among mainstream audiences. It also helped to establish Run-DMC as one of the most important and influential groups in the history of hip-hop. “Walk This Way” remains a beloved classic to this day, and it stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in music.
20. Big Willie
“Big Willie” is a hip-hop song by the group Geto Boys, which was released in 1990 as part of their album “The Geto Boys”. The song features a slow, ominous beat and the group’s gritty, streetwise lyrics. The lyrics describe the struggles and challenges of life in the inner city, as well as the group’s own experiences with violence and poverty. The song’s title is a reference to the group’s bravado and confidence in the face of adversity. “Big Willie” is often cited as one of the group’s most powerful and influential songs, and it helped to establish them as one of the most important and innovative groups in the genre’s history. The song remains a classic of the genre to this day, and it continues to inspire and influence new generations of hip-hop artists.
Macey West is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
