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.
Faces
Run-D.M.C. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Em cada presença na rua.
Matéria vazia existe um motivo.
Olhos sem brilho vida noturna..
Sem trégua se entrega pro vício..
São corpos sem vida copos vazios.
O mundo omitiu fingiu que não viu.
Crueldade humana comum no brasil xiuuu
silêncio é fator que isenta.
Ditadores usam ferramenta, ferra com gente que nem se aposenta
rotina Jumanji, vivendo igual caranguejo no mangue, me diz onde está a saída? na selva de pedra sem vida
E Vc? deve ter visto mais nem se ligou, olhando futuro do retrovisor
Cada individuo invisível ficou..
Cachimbo e pedra é lobotomia
São seres sem rosto, fisionomia..
Mundo doente inversão de valores né.
Igual walking dead real exposto na sé..
Vivendo a margem morada precária.
Perigo circula igual circulava na candelária..
Área marcada zona de conflito.
O resto que joga vorazes aflito.
Sempre oprimido life terrível.
Na rua sem face o disfarce é invísivel...
Sobra fome falta teto, sobra fome e falta grana, o que consigo gasto em cana deitado na grama pra mente viver uma realidade que engana
Mr. Dko
Rua não é casa pra ninguém
Quem quer viver sem teto, sem rango, sem grana, me diz: quem?!
A noite o frio é foda em Sp
Ssa, qualquer lugar
Cê quer pagar pra ver?
Vai! Só não mosca porque
Debaixo da marquise é cada um por si! Tu pode se fuder
Nem as puta que tão na labuta vão te socorrer
Se um boy chegar com gasolina ou querosene pra tacar fogo em você
Poderão dizer: ""Deus vai te proteger""
Mais não é todo dia que os crentes vão te dar de comer
Se tu roubar ninguém vai te defender
Se boiar vai perder
O agasalho de retalho ou papelão que iria te aquecer
'xa eu te dizer:
Nem imagina chover
Que nem os rato quer ver
O aparato que tu não vai ter pra sobreviver
Vai desenvolver uns lance pra vender
Mas onde é que toma banho pra deixar de feder?
Mas onde é que ganha os quilos que você vai perder?
Mas quem é que financia a sensaçãp de prazer
Da pedra que mata a fome pra derreter?!
Como vão te empregar? Tu não tem R.G
E o CPF é tipo um blefe pra te convencer
Que tu existe, mas quem é que te vê?!
Tu não ta na tv,
Nem vai passar na tv quando for preso ou morrer
2ªparte
Sem face _ segunda parte
Sobra fome, falta teto, sobra fome falta teto.
Se todo dia tu acordasse sem saber o que vai comer? Hein
Se toda noite tu deitasse sem saber se vai acordar?
Se todo olhar que te encarasse não pudesse confiar? Diz aí
Se tudo que o mundo oferece são motivos pra sofrer.. toma
Se coloca no lugar de quem vive o Vietnã.
Sem filtro pra disfarçar ou sem conta no instagram..
Sem cama confortável pra dormir até de manhã.
E se queimam os companheiros como ter a mente sã? Como
Meu parceiro e se o chuveiro fosse o chafariz da praça?
E se a comida envenenada fosse mais que ameaça?
E se na selva de concreto dessem aquela maquiada?
Se a prefeitura e a GCM te acordar com jato d'água?
Imagina sua rotina a pé nas ruas da cidade.
Andarilho solitário maltratado de verdade..
Sem sapatos sem respeito sem moral ou dignidade.
Quanto tempo aguentaria sem perder a sanidade? Quanto?
Muitos já morreram sem registro e ninguém sabe.
Quem se importa de verdade permanece a impunidade..
Em São Paulo ou Salvador eles não tem identidade.
E o inverno é rigoroso não importa a cidade..
15 mil só nas ruas de Sp isso é maldade.
O prédio abandonado vira lar de quem invade..
Alguns no corre do corote pra esquecer a realidade.
Mas não é suficiente então o mesclado dá o baque..
E se chove não tem bote que salve da enxurrada.
A metrópole mastiga e cospe só a ossada..
Andar sozinho é perigoso quem protege é a cachorrada.
Lado a lado todo dia com a carroça enferrujada..
Sou quem caminha pelas ruas de Sp ou Salvador.
É a presença que incomoda da nojo e te assusta..
Se minha casa é a calçada o papelão meu cobertor.
Sem face sou espelho é isso que te perturba..
Descartado e enquadrado como marginal.
Como poucos abaixo de mim nesse escala social.
Sobra fome, falta teto, sobra fome falta teto.
Sobra fome, falta teto, sobra fome falta teto..
Sobra fome e falta cama é o drama de todo dia.
Antes de julgar saiba todos tem história então tenha empatia.. 2x refrão
In "Faces", Run-D.M.C. discusses the various faces they encounter on a daily basis, from the Knuckleheads who occasionally confront them to the different faces that make up their diverse fanbase. They also speak out against racism, making the point that even though we have different faces, we are all the same. The song's chorus emphasizes the ubiquity of faces, whether they are "sweatin' you" or "international."
The rap's first verse focuses on the Knuckleheads who confront the rappers. It is clear that Run-D.M.C. does not want to waste their time with these people and that they disdain those who are not true MCs. The second verse is more focused on points of racism, and how people shouldn't follow the stereotypes just because of people's race.
Line by Line Meaning
In your face, all the time
I am always present and in your face
All in your face when I'm kickin' my rhyme
I am constantly in your face whenever I am rapping
All these faces in front of me
I am surrounded by many faces
Face to face with Run-D.M.C
You are in direct communication with Run-D.M.C
Knuckleheads in my face for a second
People are trying to provoke me, but it doesn't last long
But I move the crowd, and I reckon
I have the ability to control and excite the audience
That a sucker might jump and try to bait
Someone could potentially agitate me
So kill that noise and get out my face (punk)
Stop making noise and leave me alone
And let a real MC collect dollars
Allow a talented rapper to make money
The true crew and few come from Hollis, Queens
The authentic artists are from Hollis, Queens
And by all means necessary
In any way that is necessary
My vocabulary is very extensive, and expensive
I have an extensive and valuable vocabulary
So hard it'll put you in intensive care
My rapping is so intense that it could cause harm
Proceed with caution
Be careful when engaging with me
Often suckers get lost in the sauce when
Fools get confused when
Faces just start speakin' on faces
People start arguing with each other based on their looks
And leavin' traces, other races be mocked
People leave behind evidence and mock other races
And it sparks a fight, day and night
It ignites conflicts all the time
Dark and light - different types of faces
People have varying skin tones and appearances
Faces, faces
People everywhere
And everywhere you go you see
Faces are ubiquitous
Break! As we come back on
Pause! As we resume rapping
I place this rhyme!
I am performing this rap
Facin' this crew, you're facin' your doom
If you're challenging me, you're endangering yourself
You got punched in the face
You're metaphorically getting hit with my rhymes
As soon as you heard this tune!
From the moment you heard this song
I race at a pace with no shoelaces
I am moving quickly without laces in my shoes
To racist faces, placin' disgraces
I am opposing people who discriminate, putting them in their place
Taste the bass of the racial facial
Hear the deep beat of human races
Disgraceful tasteless racist faces
Those who are prejudiced are despicable and lacking in flavor
Get out my face, don't bass, don't waste my time
Leave me alone and don't interfere with me
My brother, I'm not color blind
I acknowledge people's different skin colors
I walk the face of the Earth, face death
I move around the world, facing danger
Face the best and I'll just
Encounter the top competitors and come out on top
Rip flip and trip won't shut up or let up
I continue to perform no matter what
Get out my face so we can go head up
Leave me alone so we can compete
(Damn D!) Yo yo yo they don't understand me
People don't comprehend me
(?) when they always try to ban me
There are attempts to restrict me
Hypin' the stereotype of a face
Exaggerating prejudices based on appearance
And that's the problem with the human race
This is a significant issue for humanity
Haste makes waste, don't trace to other places
Acting quickly can result in poor outcomes, so avoid looking for trouble elsewhere
We're all the same but with different faces
We have many similarities despite our different looks
Yeah D, and everywhere I go I see faces
I encounter people wherever I go
Faces sweatin' you and they sweatin' faces
People are interacting with each other and feeling the pressure
Around around the world, international faces
People are diverse and come from all over the world
Yeah, now bust it
Now continue listening
Yo, I took a look in the face of a girlie
I examined the face of a girl
The way she looks that Jay must say
Her appearance is impressive to me
Somethin' bout the way my afro is growin'
She likes the way my hair is growing
But is it funky? (YEAH!) Well okay
She thinks it's cool and funky
Is she jockin' my 'fro or my fade?
Is she interested in my hairstyle?
Do she want me because of my name?
Is she interested in me because of my fame?
I like the ladies, sweet and serious
I am attracted to kind and sincere women
Not those hoes, that plays, the game
I am not attracted to promiscuous women
On every Tom Dick and Harry
On every person
Shawn Jerry John Nick Curly Moe and Larry
On many different men
You thinkin' you married? Well you CRAZY
You think you're in a committed relationship, but that's insane
My baby you won't carry
You won't have my child
Cause I like a girl that's low-key
I prefer a woman who is modest
That's how it's gotta be to be with me
That's what's required to be in a relationship with me
And I'll take her to all the exotic places
I will take her on adventures to interesting locations
The name of this jam is called FACES
This song is called 'Faces'
International faces, I'm a Afro and I'm outta here.
Diverse people everywhere, I'm leaving.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Oxan M'c, Mr. Dko, Janaína d'nótria
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rawk4Life
List of celebrity cameos in this video:
Bootsy Collins
Carlos Santana
Daisy Fuentes
Big Daddy Kane
Debbie Gibson
M.C. Hammer (brief clip from U Can't Touch This music video)
Jordan Knight (New Kids on the Block)
Flavor Flav
Fab Five Freddy
Sibjac Jay
Classic Hip Hop like this. Never gets old.
Rod Spartacus
This is a underated tune - funky tune - excellent lyrics and smooth grove
Merchantsmith Images
I liked how RUN DMC adapted to the New Jack Swing sound of 1990. They couldn't have lasted making "King of Rock" type records over and over again.
Jeremiah Woods
Even though that's true The King of Rock aged better than Faces it just sounds fresher sonically peace ✌️
Jay
@ashtavakra💯
Simon Bremner
Totally. With Back From Hell you can hear they wanted to stay relevant with more Hardcore/Gangsta styles too emerging at the time, particularly from the West Coast but not so much on Faces. Hip Hop still evolves (somehow?) but not as fast as it was in 1990.
hhh
Naw they wouldn’t have survived. Rap changed too much every other year.
Michael Carroll
My favorite video from them it shows how large they was all over the world so dope
Esaw White
Loved this joint then and still to this day.
Torron Joyner
Classic hits got back in line best rap group run DMC