Recommendations of the Editorial team
Run-DMC were the Beatles des HipHop-Run and DMC were Lennon and McCartney, and Jam Master Jay was George and Ringo in one person. “Raising Hell” is the first real rap album, a complete work of art instead of a collection of singles or a brooding stuff. Rock plays a role on it, but the rap sets the tone – it is not underneath, but sits on top. Jay-Z, Outkast, Black Star, The Roots: Anyone who makes hip-hop today has Run-DMC in the pedigree.
They had a completely new energy that revolutionized the hip -hop. Older musicians like Grandmaster Flash wore disco clothes, came out of the Bronx and looked different. Run-DMC came from Hollis, Queens, just a quarter of an hour from the place where I lived. Hollis was a suburb, no big city, but Run-DMC looked like real street cats.
When I made college radio on Long Island near Wbau, we helped Run-DMC to break through. They were a role model for public enemy – we both made super sounded records that were intended for stadiums, not for clubs. They had to roar to drown out their beats and guitar riffs. You can’t rap softly in a stadium.
Black musicians are not immune to what goes wrong in our society
I was just at home when a guy said on TV that Jay was murdered. , That was the total shock. Black musicians are not immune to what goes wrong in our society. People don’t like to hear that, but it is the truth and we have to do something about avoiding such tragedies.
Another little story: In 1984 I told Jay that I would come to the Spectrum after Philadelphia to look at the first “Fresh Fest” tour. When I came to the back entrance, I sent him a message and asked if he could let me in. And indeed, in the middle of a concert in front of 20,000 people, he went off the stage, past the security guards, and brought me two tickets. I will never forget him.