Run-D.M.C. was a hip hop group founded by the late Jason "Jam Master Jay" M… Read Full Bio ↴Run-D.M.C. was a hip hop group founded by the late Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell that included Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels. The group had an enormous impact on the development of hip hop through the 1980s and is credited with breaking hip hop into mainstream music. The three members of Run-D.M.C. grew up in Hollis, Queens, New York, USA.

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.

Crown Royal
Run-D.M.C. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

For thine, is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever...

[Chorus:]
The king's a ruler, the ruler rules
The king's a ruler, the ruler rules
The king-the king's a ruler, the ruler rules
The king's a ruler, the ruler rules

I'm the epitome of royalty, you versus me is a joke
I'm a rage and major blaze, you cigarette smoke
Your video's number one and that was part of our plan
Went from "Rock Box" to a whole countdown jam
Took rock music, switched it and flipped it and made it raw
Anywhere you played, we played it before in eighty-four
Every show, a hundred thousand people or more
Fame'll still give us tours and we be tryin' not to take 'em all
I bake 'em all, quicker than Sara Lee, come battle me
Imagine that, what a site that'll be
Front page of the Times, I can read the headlines now
Rev. Run beat clown down for tryin' to take his crown

[Chorus;]

I'm the reason you started rhymin'
I'm the reason rap sales started climbin'
that's why I'm still headlinin'
I'm the king and before I stop why'all cats gon' learn
Yeah why'all niggaz want to burn wait your turn
Run I'm a living legend, my suggestion is learn your lesson
I leave you stressin' confessin' (?) and strivin' for blessing
And whatever your impression it better be, that we the top pedigree
Bringin' why'all energy since eighty-three
I run this here since way back when
I pick up a pair of shells and make why'all wear 'em again
If you thought it I done did it
Heard it I done spit it
New cats want to pay their respects then son I'm with it
But if not, I'ma reclaim the top of the charts
Doin' shows for dough flows rip 'em apart
Other than that, I'll just be holdin' my own
Crown Royalty, up on the throne, f'real

[Chorus: Repeat 2X]

Our father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, forever...

[Chorus:]

Overall Meaning

The song "Crown Royal" by Run-D.M.C. features the group declaring their dominance and power as kings of the music industry. The lyrics begin with a nod to the traditional Christian prayer, "The Lord's Prayer," and a declaration that the kingdom, power, and glory belong to the king forever. The chorus repeats the phrase "the king's a ruler, the ruler rules," emphasizing their position of authority.

The verses then go into greater detail about Run-D.M.C.'s dominance in the music industry. They proudly proclaim that they are the epitome of royalty and that anyone who tries to challenge their position is a joke. They take credit for starting the rap game and for making it mainstream, mentioning that even their early videos topped the charts.

The song's message is clear: Run-D.M.C. are the kings of rap and no one can touch them. They have paved the way for other artists and continue to hold their position at the top.

Line by Line Meaning

The king's a ruler, the ruler rules
I am the king, and therefore I am in charge and make the decisions.

I'm the epitome of royalty, you versus me is a joke
I am the ultimate symbol of power and authority, and you pale in comparison to me.

I'm a rage and major blaze, you cigarette smoke
I am fierce and unstoppable, while you are weak and insignificant.

Your video's number one and that was part of our plan
You may have achieved success, but we made it happen by paving the way for you.

Went from "Rock Box" to a whole countdown jam
We started with a small hit, but our influence has expanded to a much larger scale.

Took rock music, switched it and flipped it and made it raw
We transformed a genre and made it our own, by adding our own unique style and energy.

Anywhere you played, we played it before in eighty-four
We have been around for a long time, and have already done everything you are trying to do.

Every show, a hundred thousand people or more
We are extremely popular, and have a massive following of fans.

Fame'll still give us tours and we be tryin' not to take 'em all
Even though we are famous, we still value our fans and try to connect with them through tours and concerts.

I bake 'em all, quicker than Sara Lee, come battle me
I defeat all of my opponents with ease, and am always ready for a challenge.

Imagine that, what a site that'll be
It would be amazing to see me face off against someone else in a competition.

Front page of the Times, I can read the headlines now
I know that I am worthy of being in the spotlight, and can already imagine the headlines.

Rev. Run beat clown down for tryin' to take his crown
I will defend my title as the king of rap, and will not allow anyone to take it away from me.

I'm the reason you started rhymin'
I am responsible for inspiring others to pursue a career in rap music.

I'm the reason rap sales started climbin'
I helped to make rap music more mainstream and commercially successful.

that's why I'm still headlinin'
My legacy in the rap music industry has allowed me to remain relevant and continue performing at the top of my game.

I'm the king and before I stop why'all cats gon' learn
I will reign supreme as the king of rap until the end, and others will come to accept and respect that.

Yeah why'all niggaz want to burn wait your turn
Others may want to take my place, but they must wait their turn and earn their way to the top.

Run I'm a living legend, my suggestion is learn your lesson
I am a legendary figure in rap music, and others should take heed of my success and learn from it.

I leave you stressin' confessin' (?) and strivin' for blessing
My talent and success may make others feel anxious and inferior, but they should strive for their own success and blessings.

And whatever your impression it better be, that we the top pedigree
Others may have their own opinions, but they should recognize that we are the best in the game.

Bringin' why'all energy since eighty-three
We have been bringing our unique energy to the rap music scene since the early 1980s.

I run this here since way back when
I have been in charge of the rap music industry for a long time, since the early days.

I pick up a pair of shells and make why'all wear 'em again
I have the power to resurrect old trends and bring them back into popular culture.

If you thought it I done did it
I have already achieved everything that others may think of doing.

Heard it I done spit it
I have already said everything that others may want to say.

New cats want to pay their respects then son I'm with it
I welcome new artists who respect my legacy and want to pay tribute to it in their own way.

But if not, I'ma reclaim the top of the charts
If others do not respect my authority and legacy, I will fight to reclaim my position as the king of rap.

Doin' shows for dough flows rip 'em apart
I perform concerts for the money, but also to demonstrate my talent and showmanship, and to entertain my fans.

Other than that, I'll just be holdin' my own
When I am not performing, I will still be maintaining my position as the king of rap through my influence and reputation.

Crown Royalty, up on the throne, f'real
I hold the title of the king of rap, and there is no doubt about it.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERNEST GOLD, LAWRENCE SMITH, JOSEPH SIMMONS, DARRYL MCDANIELS, RANDY ALLEN, CHRIS DAVIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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