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.
Here We Go 2001
Run-D.M.C. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Run] And this is Sugar Ray, and Run-D.M.C.
[R+D] HERE WE GO!
[Hook]
D.M.C. and DJ Run
dumb-diddy-dumb diddy-diddy-dumb-dumb
We're rockin on the mic and then you know where we're from
We hope why'all ready for the big beat drum
Drum-diddy-dumb diddy-diddy-drum-drum
So people in the place here the big beat come
Here it come, here it come, here it kiddy-come-come
[Run]
Cool chief rocka, don't drink vodka
Used to keep cheeba inside my locker
Used to get to' down, now I slowed down
Hold the flow down from Motown to yo' town
I be the MC that rip it nightly
They said could be lucky, yeah might be, slightly
But if it's luck, then I'm the luckiest you know
I'm runnin this, king of rock yo, here we go
[Hook 2]
In the history of the song
And the list be goin on and on
Since the days of rock'n'roll, Purple Haze, hip-hop'n'soul
So here we go.. {"Here we go!"}
Yeah! Here we go now!
Yeah! DJ Run
[Run]
Rhymes so def, rhymes rhymes galore lore
Rhymes that you never even heard before fore
Say you heard my rhymes, we're gonna have to fight
'Cause I just made the hot {shit} up last night
That's right I rhyme tight for cats on the block
Took it to new heights, look at Kid Rock
Y'all eat what I cook to put why'all on
So have a Limp Bizkit and a piece of Korn
[Hook]
[Both]
Deva-stating, mic controller
The word wiz-ard and the chief rock roller
[R] Bad be -boy made for the be -girls
Rock rulin rhymes as the turntable twirls
[R] Su-preme people who was born to talk
And over any corny rap king, we'll exalt!
[R] These are the kings from around the wayyy
{"Run-D.M.C. and Jam Master Jay!"}
[Hook 2]
The song "Here We Go 2001" by Run-D.M.C. featuring Sugar Ray is an offshoot of their earlier hit "Here We Go (Live at the Funhouse)" released in 1985. The song was featured on their 2001 album "Crown Royal" and was a tribute to their longevity in the rap industry. The song opens with DMC stating "One two three in the place to be", indicating that their stage presence and iconic status continues to be felt.
In the first verse, Run pays homage to his early days in the rap industry, highlighting his past habits of storing marijuana in lockers and slowing down his wild behavior. He insists that he is the lucky one and that he is the "king of rock" who continues to run the show. The song also incorporates a hook that is repetitive, with the intermittent beats providing an enhanced rhyming flow.
The second verse brings out Run's art of constructing tight rhymes that have never been heard before. He boasts about the quality of his rhymes and the new heights to which he has taken his music. The song concludes with Deva-stating and Run rapping about how they were born to talk, with reference to their innate ability to create music that is superior to corny rap kings.
Line by Line Meaning
One two three, in the place to be.. {*"be"*}
We're here to party and perform for everyone
And this is Sugar Ray, and Run-D.M.C.
We're introducing ourselves and our group
HERE WE GO!
Let's get started!
D.M.C. and DJ Run
We're the MC and DJ of this group
dumb-diddy-dumb diddy-diddy-dumb-dumb
We're making some rhythmic, nonsensical sounds
We're rockin on the mic and then you know where we're from
We're showcasing our skills and representing our hometown
We hope why'all ready for the big beat drum
Get ready for our catchy, up-tempo rhythm
Drum-diddy-dumb diddy-diddy-drum-drum
Here's the beat we promised!
Cool chief rocka, don't drink vodka
I'm chill and in control, avoiding alcohol
Used to keep cheeba inside my locker
I used to hide some marijuana in my locker
Used to get to' down, now I slowed down
I used to party a lot, but I've mellowed out
Hold the flow down from Motown to yo' town
I'm keeping the music going from Detroit to your hometown
I be the MC that rip it nightly
I'm the rapper who can really rock the mic every night
They said could be lucky, yeah might be, slightly
Some people say I'm just lucky, but maybe it's a little more than that
But if it's luck, then I'm the luckiest you know
If I'm just lucky, then I must be really lucky!
I'm runnin this, king of rock yo, here we go
I'm in charge of this show and the king of rock music!
In the history of the song
As we look back on music history
And the list be goin on and on
There are so many great artists and songs to remember
Since the days of rock'n'roll, Purple Haze, hip-hop'n'soul
From the earliest days of rock to more recent hip-hop and soul music
So here we go.. {*"Here we go!"*}
And now it's time for our contribution to that history!
Yeah! Here we go now!
Let's do this thing!
Yeah! DJ Run
Giving props to the DJ who's making this all possible
Rhymes so def, rhymes rhymes galore lore
My rhymes are so great, I've got tons of them
Rhymes that you never even heard before fore
Nobody's rapping quite like me
Say you heard my rhymes, we're gonna have to fight
If you don't appreciate my rhymes, we might have a problem
'Cause I just made the hot {shit} up last night
I can come up with amazing rhymes on the fly
That's right I rhyme tight for cats on the block
My rhymes are perfect for the people in the neighborhood
Took it to new heights, look at Kid Rock
I'm an innovator who sets trends, like Kid Rock
Y'all eat what I cook to put why'all on
You're going to love what I serve up and follow my lead
So have a Limp Bizkit and a piece of Korn
Enjoy some of the great music that's out there right now
Deva-stating, mic controller
I'm a devastating MC who knows how to control the crowd
The word wiz-ard and the chief rock roller
I'm both a wordsmith and a great musician
Bad be * dash * boy made for the be * dash * girls
I'm a handsome, confident man who's popular with the ladies
Rock rulin rhymes as the turntable twirls
I'm killing it on the mic with my amazing rap skills
Su-preme people who was born to talk
We're both gifted communicators who were meant to be in this industry
And over any corny rap king, we'll exalt!
We're not afraid to praise ourselves over anyone else who thinks they can rap
These are the kings from around the wayyy
We rule the music scene in our neighborhood and beyond!
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: C. BULLOCK, CHRISTOPHER DAVIS, DARRYL MATTHEWS MC DANIELS, JASON WILLIAM MIZELL, JOSEPH WARD SIMMONS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind