In 1987 the authorized Run-DMC biography Tougher Than Leather was published. The book was written by Bill Adler. In 2002 the book was reissued with a foreword to the 2002 edition by Bill Adler.
In 1986 Run-DMC released their 3rd studio album “Raising Hell”.
The 12 track album was the real breakthrough for Run-DMC, reaching top chart positions and moving big numbers in sales.
Most well known is probably the cover of Aerosmith’s song “Walk This Way”, which features Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith. Not to forget the iconic “My Adidas”, an ode to the sneakers Run-DMC were wearing, which eventually lead to an endorsement deal and long-time relationship with the Adidias brand. Another successfull singles taken from “Raising Hell” is “It’s Tricky”.
The album itself was available with two slightly different versions of the cover, the cover artwork being basically the same but in different colours.
Track list:
01 Peter Piper
02 It’s Tricky
03 My Adidas
04 Walk This Way
05 Is It Live
06 Perfectio
07 Hit It Run
08 Raising Hell
09 You Be Illin’
10 Dumb Girl
11 Son Of Byford
12 Proud To Be Black
In 2005 the album was re-released with five bonus tracks:
13 My Adidas (A Cappella)
14 Walk This Way (Demo)
15 Lord Of Lyrics (Demo)
16 Raising Hell Radio Tour Spot
17 Live At The Apollo Raw Vocal Commercial
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.
Detailed information about the film and its plot can be found at Wikipedia and the Internet Movie Database.
With the film the Krush Groove soundtrack was released.
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'”.
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.
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.