The band signed a record deal with Profile Records in 1983, and Run's older brother, Russell "Rush" Simmons, signed Run-D.M.C. to his newly formed management company Rush Productions that same year. On their first major United States tour, the group set new fads by performing dressed in baggy black clothing, Adidas Sneakers (always with shoelaces removed), and Fedora hats.
Their mainstream success continued as the group performed at the famous Live Aid concert in 1985, and their 1986 album ''Raising Hell'' became the highest-selling rap album in history (this record was later broken as rap gained more popularity with artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Eminem), reaching number 3 on the ''Billboard magazine'' album charts and selling over 3 million copies. The album featured the famous cover version of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way", a rap-rock collaboration performed with Aerosmith members Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. The song was the first hip-hop track to make the Top 10 on Billboard's singles charts.
Run-D.M.C. were renowned for breaking new ground in rap music. "It's Like That" and "Sucker MC's" (1983) were the first hip hop tracks that relied on electronic beats and nothing else. "Peter Piper" (1986) was the first rap record in which the DJ cut up a record (in this case, "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" by jazz musician Bob James. Run-D.M.C. became the first rap act with a platinum album and multi-platinum album, as well as the first rappers to appear on the cover of ''Rolling Stone'' magazine, to receive a Grammy nomination and to appear on Saturday Night Live] and American Bandstand.
After a period of lackluster commercial success after the ''Raising Hell'' album, the group made a comeback in 1993 with their album ''Down With the King'', which made Billboard's Top 10 for album and the Pete Rock assisted single "Down With the King".
Jam-Master Jay was shot and killed in October 2002, leading Run-D.M.C. to announce their retirement.
For a complete biography and the most up-to-date information on Run DMC, visit www.RunDMC.com.
Cold Gettin' Dumb
Run-D.M.C. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aight, here we go once again
Back for more with the one Sir Vicious Just Ice
My man Mantronix providing the funky sound for your listening pleasure
To rock it on to the break of dawn
On and down to the A.M
With my man DMX, the original my human beatbox
Yo change the bass
Show you how a real MC cold rocks the mic and gets things right
It's like that never the wack in actual fact
It's like this dominant black, come right and exact
So nice very precise yes
Just Ice like this never no tricks you see it's Justice
To the best of my knowledge I guess that I'm fresh
And when I manifest I never protest
So you say you never melt, you're supposed to be an adult
Sympathetic emotions I never felt so get help
You know that you are lost
And you know that if you're melting, that you are soft
Just Ice Sir Vicious is here to rock on
Tell you all about myself, let my knowledge be born
Respect on the mic when it comes to a rhyme
If you think we're much alike you know you're out of your mind
As I reminisce your chance ended
To try to convince me to believe your stupid nonsense
I'm twice as nice, a gripping vice, precise Just Ice
Rocking parties nine years of my life
It's a new conceptual highly intellectual
For me only cos it is genetical
Cos now about to get loose, got gallons of juice
To pour, and more if you want to choose
Negotiable and sociable is done
But let's build and we'll all have fun so don't run
Cos if you leave you will be fooling yourself
You better go and seek some better help
It's time to stop being stubborn, and so defiant
Just hear my words, and knowledge my science
But if you're crying like the rain, I know it's the pain
Obtain some math, and move your brain
To a new potential, identical, the main principle
The science I speak well everything is rational
The cross pressing, I'm giving you a lesson
I test the rest they gets depressed
They didn't appreciate the agony of defeat
It's the way that I did it that made it sweet
Cos the people all around agree
My rap is intellect with high velocity
I'm speaking about me, a delicate wish
Sir Vicious so smooth like a rimless swish
Come with me young ladies it's not too hard
Wanna make you my baby and complete the job
Like a psychopathological syndrome
My beneficial words are gonna be known
Theoretical dilemma facts hard to pen
Just Ice Sir Vicious done rocked it again
(Mantronix cold getting ill)
(Rock the beats)
Peace to all that could come
The time is now the deed must be done
Cos I rock, and also will devastate
Your thoughts then start to manipulate
The bass beats as I start to capture every beat in sequence
Including the scratch
Turn off that music and go accapella
Match the sound to my voice, then you'll start to treasure
My intelligent, eloquent way of rap
Poetic philosophy, yes down pat
Inevitable rights to party all night
Double counter second amateur twice
A prototype to endure, my wrath is much to contain
Alleviate the latter and crush the remain
Opportunist victim in a state of shock
You caught a bad decision and now you are stopped
By the one that's called most vicious of them all
Cos even if I sit I still stand tall
On the most incredible, elevated pedestal
That's hard to beget but never forgettable rap
Connoisseur who only gets more
And I am sure my rhymes never bore anyone
Who listen cause I got your attention
Diabolical scheme, now here's my invention
A poem, a rap, a haiku in fact
When my opponent hears this???
A bunch of rhymes, you're just a beginner
With two thousand left I'm bound to be a winner
It's like that on the comeback in actual fact
Like this, sweet as a kiss, as y'all reminisce
It's like this never the wack in actual fact
Step back or you might get slapped, jack
Ah yeah
(All you sucker niggas get off my dick!)
That's the way it's really done
Cold rock the party
With an MC like precise Just Ice
(Peace)
And my man Mantronik on the wheels of steel, peace!
The song "Cold Gettin' Dumb" by Run-D.M.C. is a classic hip hop track that features the group's signature style of rhyming and flow. The song starts off with a proclamation that they are back, with Sir Vicious Just Ice and Mantronix contributing to the funky sound. As the song progresses, the rappers use their confident rhymes to assert their superior skills on the mic. They assert that they never use tricks or protest, and that their raps are always precise and intellectual. The song encourages listeners to stop being stubborn and open their minds to new potential and knowledge.
The lyrics are typical of 80s hip hop, with a focus on boasting and one-upping other rappers. However, the song also contains a message of positivity and a call to action for listeners to improve themselves. Run-D.M.C. was known for their socially conscious lyrics and were one of the first mainstream hip hop groups to address social issues in their music.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold gettin' dumb - yeah!
Getting cool and having fun - yeah!
Aight, here we go once again
Alright, let's do it again
Back for more with the one Sir Vicious Just Ice
Returning with the talented Sir Vicious Just Ice
My man Mantronix providing the funky sound for your listening pleasure
My friend Mantronix delivering the enjoyable funky beat for you to enjoy
To rock it on to the break of dawn
To party all night long
On and down to the A.M
Continuing until the morning
With my man DMX, the original my human beatbox
With my friend DMX, the original and skilled human beatbox
Yo change the bass
Hey, adjust the bass
Keep it on like this to the break of dawn
Continue the party like this until dawn
Show you how a real MC cold rocks the mic and gets things right
Demonstrate how a true MC confidently performs and does things correctly
It's like that never the wack in actual fact
That's the way it is, never mediocre, in reality
It's like this dominant black, come right and exact
It's like this, representing black culture, being direct and accurate
So nice very precise yes
Very nice, extremely accurate, yes
Just Ice like this never no tricks you see it's Justice
Just Ice, performing without any deception, it's true justice
To the best of my knowledge I guess that I'm fresh
Based on what I know, I believe that I'm cool
And when I manifest I never protest
And when I express myself, I never complain
So you say you never melt, you're supposed to be an adult
So you claim you never give in to pressure, yet you're expected to be mature
Sympathetic emotions I never felt so get help
I've never experienced sympathetic emotions, so seek assistance
You know that you are lost
You're aware that you're confused
And you know that if you're melting, that you are soft
And you're aware that if you're crumbling under pressure, you lack toughness
Just Ice Sir Vicious is here to rock on
Just Ice and Sir Vicious are here to continue entertaining
Tell you all about myself, let my knowledge be born
Share all about me, allow my wisdom to be revealed
Respect on the mic when it comes to a rhyme
Show respect when performing on the microphone
If you think we're much alike you know you're out of your mind
If you believe we have many similarities, you're clearly mistaken
As I reminisce your chance ended
As I remember, your opportunity came to an end
To try to convince me to believe your stupid nonsense
To attempt to persuade me to believe your foolish ideas
I'm twice as nice, a gripping vice, precise Just Ice
I'm exceptionally skilled, imposing control, accurate Just Ice
Rocking parties nine years of my life
Performing at parties for nine years of my life
It's a new conceptual highly intellectual
It's a fresh and highly intelligent concept
For me only cos it is genetical
Because it's in my genes and unique to me
Cos now about to get loose, got gallons of juice
Because now I'm about to let go and I have plenty of creativity
To pour, and more if you want to choose
To express freely, and even more if you desire
Negotiable and sociable is done
Open to discussion and friendly interactions are concluded
But let's build and we'll all have fun so don't run
But let's create together and enjoy ourselves, so don't leave
Cos if you leave you will be fooling yourself
Because if you depart, you'll be deceiving yourself
You better go and seek some better help
You should go find more suitable assistance
It's time to stop being stubborn, and so defiant
It's necessary to cease being obstinate and rebellious
Just hear my words, and knowledge my science
Simply listen to my words and respect my expertise
But if you're crying like the rain, I know it's the pain
But if you're crying profusely, I understand it's due to pain
Obtain some math, and move your brain
Learn some logic and stimulate your mind
To a new potential, identical, the main principle
To a new level of ability, similar, the key principle
The science I speak well everything is rational
The knowledge I convey is rational in every aspect
The cross pressing, I'm giving you a lesson
The conflicted message, I'm providing you a teaching
I test the rest they gets depressed
I challenge and discourage the other contenders
They didn't appreciate the agony of defeat
They didn't value the pain that comes with losing
It's the way that I did it that made it sweet
It's the approach I took that made it satisfying
Cos the people all around agree
Because all the people present acknowledge
My rap is intellect with high velocity
My rap is intelligent and delivered with great speed
I'm speaking about me, a delicate wish
I'm talking about myself, a fragile desire
Sir Vicious so smooth like a rimless swish
Sir Vicious is effortlessly cool, like a smooth motion
Come with me young ladies it's not too hard
Join me, young ladies, it's not difficult
Wanna make you my baby and complete the job
Want to make you mine and fulfill the task
Like a psychopathological syndrome
Similar to a psychological disorder
My beneficial words are gonna be known
My helpful words will become renowned
Theoretical dilemma facts hard to pen
Complex situation, difficult to articulate the facts
Just Ice Sir Vicious done rocked it again
Just Ice and Sir Vicious have successfully entertained once more
(Mantronix cold getting ill)
(Mantronix skillfully producing beats)
(Rock the beats)
(Continue playing the beats)
Peace to all that could come
Peace to all those who joined
The time is now the deed must be done
The moment is here, the action must be taken
Cos I rock, and also will devastate
Because I excel in this, and I will also overpower
Your thoughts then start to manipulate
Controlling and influencing your thoughts
The bass beats as I start to capture every beat in sequence
The bass beats play while I skillfully capture each beat in order
Including the scratch
Including the scratching technique
Turn off that music and go accapella
Stop the instrumental music and perform without it
Match the sound to my voice, then you'll start to treasure
Align the sound with my voice, then you'll begin to appreciate
My intelligent, eloquent way of rap
My intelligent and articulate style of rapping
Poetic philosophy, yes down pat
Artistic and thoughtful ideas, mastered
Inevitable rights to party all night
Unavoidable rights to celebrate all night long
Double counter second amateur twice
Quick and skilled amateur twice
A prototype to endure, my wrath is much to contain
An example to withstand, my anger is difficult to handle
Alleviate the latter and crush the remain
Relieve the latter and crush what's left
Opportunist victim in a state of shock
Exploitative target in a state of surprise
You caught a bad decision and now you are stopped
You made a poor choice and now you are halted
By the one that's called most vicious of them all
By the one known as the most ruthless of all
Cos even if I sit I still stand tall
Because even when I'm still, I remain confident and proud
On the most incredible, elevated pedestal
On the most remarkable, elevated platform
That's hard to beget but never forgettable rap
That's difficult to achieve but unforgettable in rap
Connoisseur who only gets more
Expert who consistently improves
And I am sure my rhymes never bore anyone
And I'm certain that my rhymes never bore anyone
Who listen cause I got your attention
Who listen because I've got your attention
Diabolical scheme, now here's my invention
Evil plan, now here's my creation
A poem, a rap, a haiku in fact
A poem, a rap, even a haiku, you see
When my opponent hears this???
When my adversary hears this???
A bunch of rhymes, you're just a beginner
A collection of rhymes, you're merely a novice
With two thousand left I'm bound to be a winner
With two thousand remaining, I'm certain to triumph
It's like that on the comeback in actual fact
That's how it is on the return, in reality
Like this, sweet as a kiss, as y'all reminisce
Like this, as delightful as a kiss, as you all remember
It's like this never the wack in actual fact
That's how it is, never subpar, in reality
Step back or you might get slapped, jack
Step away or you might get hit, pal
Ah yeah
Oh yes
(All you sucker niggas get off my dick!)
(All you foolish individuals, leave me alone!)
That's the way it's really done
That's how it's truly accomplished
Cold rock the party
Coolly energize the party
With an MC like precise Just Ice
With a precise MC like Just Ice
(Peace)
(Peace)
And my man Mantronik on the wheels of steel, peace!
And my friend Mantronik operating the turntables, peace!
Writer(s): Kirk Khaleel, (usa) Joseph Williams
Contributed by Ethan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@u2ooberboober
This is one of the dopest hip hop beats ever!!!
@MillionFlea
Mantronix is that dope!
@juliane.alexander619
Another Masterpiece that still has yet to get what it deserves. 30 years later, STILL rippin it !!
@T.2.S.A.
T la Rock
@chrisedwards1626
If you go to certain parts of North Philly, You'll hear this bumping and a bunch of Slick Rick! Davey, Davey Crockett! King of the Wild Frontier! lmbo
@4EDEEDEE
Before there was a Pharrell or Timberland or Swizz beats or Kanye or Justin Blaze... There was DJ Kurtis Mantronik aka MANTRONIX. King of beats forever!!!!!
@antonytheolddog8626
Saw mantronix live in 86 .
It was actually my first ever gig/ concert.
Thank god we had the hacienda here in Manchester England..
@B.Phill7
You are SO so right !!! usually i have so much to say but with MANTRONIX i find my self tongue tied... i guess its because i'm that little kid again screaming to use somebodies drum machine so i can become this guy one day. WoW ! GOD Bless him ! and our beloved Hip Hop !!!
@modifiedmovements7278
Yes Sir!
@deegirl1
Yes. That Music Madness album was my joint. Mannie Fresh says he was heavily infleunces by Mantronix.