Run DMC is arguably one of the most successful hip-hop
groups in history. Not only did they make good music, but they also broke
barriers and built bridges within their genre as well as between others. The
group consisted of two MC’s and a D.J. They went by the names Run, DMC, And Jam
Master Jay. Although many people many not be aware of it, Run DMC actually
contributed a lot to electronic music.
One of their most popular songs is Sucker MC’s. This song
actually begins with a sequenced storm from the Oberheim DMX drum machine. This
marked a new era in hip-hop. Hip-hop was founded upon the premise of sampling
music and adding a lyrical rap to it. Run DMC was definitely going against the
grain with this release. This sent an open invitation to all hip-hop artists to
sequence their own drums as well as other instruments and make them sound as if
they were actually being played. This is especially significant because the
year Sucker MC’s was released is the same year MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital
Interface) was created and available for public use. By using electronic musical
devices that were also used heavily in the electronic music genre, Run DMC
helped to open a door for hip-hop artists to work hand in hand with electronic
music artists. From sequencing to recording, hip-hop and electronic music could
be nearly synonymous in some cases. Today’s meshes between hip-hop and dub-step
or any other prominent electronic sub-genre owe a lot to Run DMC and their
early innovations.
As a listener, I hear Run DMC and appreciate the raw hip-hop
elements that undoubtedly paved the way for modern hip-hop. The flavor that Run
DMC brought to hip-hop provided a unique recipe that artists are still using
today. As a professional, I better understand the impact of Run DMC on music as
a whole. They were able to incorporate elements of music from every genre and
create something very genuine and true to themselves.
Hey Donnell,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this blog I can see how they made a difference in music and spreading into other genres. Like for instance, Walk This Way with Aerosmith was a huge song that broke a lot of barriers, it mixed hip-hop and rock-n-roll. I enjoyed reading your blog I found it very useful, especially the part that MIDI was made commercially for the public and their song Sucker MC's came out the same time. Overall I feel you made your point across and it was also very informative and I could tell you liked this group. Good Job on presenting.
Hello Brandon,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post on Run DMC very much. Thank you for the informative and entertaining read. I did not know that the group paved the way for so many other hip hop artists to employ the use of drum machines and other electronic instruments. From my earlier knowledge about Hip Hop and the history of Djing I was pleased to find in the book “Last Night A Dj Saved My Life” by Bill Brewster, I was aware that the genre started in the Bronx sometime in 1977 with Dj Kool Herc. Herc was a transplant from Jamaica who was familiar with the sound systems of Kingston and began playing the breaks of disco and funk records back to back using two turntables and a mixer while and adding what is know as toasting in Jamaica or the original term of the DJ or Disc Jockey, as in someone who rides the beat with vocal rhyming, who is known today as an MC. This follows your reference to the earlier hip hop artists sampling the breaks of funk, soul, and disco records to formulate the backing tracks to rap over. I also enjoyed your fact regarding the industries advent of MIDI however I would have been please to know what year exactly this took place in. This is the same year, as you mentioned, that “Sucka MC’s” was released which employed the use of the Oberheim DMX drum machine that signaled this break through and electronic crossover. Overall I really enjoyed your post thoroughly and hope to read more from you in the future.