The film Krush Groove is based on the early days of Def Jam Recordings, Russel Simmons’ RUSH artist management company and Run-DMC and the difficulties they face in becoming successful. The movie featured artists well known at that time or on their way to become famous: Run-DMC, Sheila E., Kurtis Blow, The Fat Boys, Beastie Boys and LL Cool J.
“Krush Groove” DVD front cover“Krush Groove” DVD full cover
The compilation album Krush Groove was the soundtrack to the Krush Groove film. Run-DMC appeared on this soundtrack as part of the Krush-Groove All-Stars and their song “Krush Groovin'”.
“Krush Groove” soundtrack LP front cover“Krush Groove” soundtrack LP back cover
01 Chaka Khan – (Krush Groove) Can’t Stop The Street 02 LL Cool J – I Can’t Live Without My Radio 03 Kurtis Blow – If I Ruled the World 04 Fat Boys – All You Can Eat 05 Debbie Harry – Feel the Spin 06 Sheila E. – Holly Rock 07 Beastie Boys – She’s on It 08 Gap Band – Love Triangle 09 Force MD’s – Tender Love 10 Krush Groove All-Stars (Run-D.M.C., Sheila E., Kurtis Blow, Fat Boys) – Krush Groovin’
In 1985 Run-DMC released their 2nd studio album “King of Rock”.
The 9 track album took the rock influences further, this time even going into reggae when collaborating with Yellowman for the song “Roots, Rap, Reggae”. This collaboration is probably the first significant collaboration on a Hip Hop album ever.
“King of Rock” is not only the title of the album, but also a name of the second track on this album. The track “King of Rock” was the first single released in 1985 from Run-DMC’s second album. Funny enough in the video for this track Run-DMC visit a “Rock n’ Roll Museum” and are told they do not belong in there. Well, the video was shot years before the real Rock ‘n Roll museum, the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum” was build. And in 2009, Run-DMC were inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”. So 24 years after releasing the song Run-DMC became officially accredited Rock and Roll legends.
The second single released from the album was “Can You Rock It Like This”. LL Cool J had a ghostwriting hand in this song.
“King of Rock” LP front cover“King of Rock” LP back cover
Track list:
01 Rock The House 02 King Of Rock 03 You Talk Too Much 04 Jam-Master Jammin’ 05 Roots, Rap, Reggae 06 Can You Rock It Like This 07 You’re Blind 08 It’s Not Funny 09 Darryl And Joe (Krush-Groove 3)
In 2005 the album was re-released with four bonus tracks:
10 Slow And Low (Demo) 11 Together Forever (Krush-Groove 4) (Live) 12 Jam-Master Jammin’ (Remix, long version) 13 King Of Rock (Live, from Live Aid)
“Slow And Low” which was recorded September 14th, 1984 by Run-DMC but never released as a Run-DMC track before the 2005 re-release, was later recorded by the Beastie Boys for their “Licensed To Ill” album.
In 1984 Run-DMC released their 1st and selftitled studio album “Run-D.M.C.”.
The 9 track album’s electronic hard beats, aggressive rhymes and rock influences were quite contrary to the Hip Hop music of this time which was mostly light and funky.
Almost everybody will know “It’s Like That” which was Run-DMC’s debut single. Also likely well known is “Hard Times”, the opening track of the album. And “Rock Box” was the first Hip Hop video to be aired on MTV.
“Run-DMC” LP back cover“Run-DMC” LP front cover
Track list:
01 Hard Times 02 Rock Box 03 Jam-Master Jay 04 Hollis Crew (Krush-Groove 2) 05 Sucker M.C.’s (Krush-Groove 1) 06 It’s Like That 07 Wake Up 08 30 Days 09 Jay’s Game
In 2005 the album was re-released with four bonus tracks:
10 Rock Box (B-Boy Mix) 11 Here We Go (Live At The Funhouse) 12 Sucker M.C.’s (Live) 13 Russell & Larry Running At The Mouth
