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.
It's Tricky
Run-D.M.C. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To rock (a rhyme), that's right (on time)
It's Tricky is the title, here we go
It's tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's tricky, it's tricky, tricky, tricky, tricky
It's tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's tricky, t-t-tricky, tricky, tricky
I met this little girlie, her hair was kinda curly
Went to her house and bust her out, I had to leave real early
These girls are really sleazy, all they just say is please me
Or spend some time and rock a rhyme, I said "It's not that easy"
It's tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's tricky (how is it D?) It's tricky, tricky, tricky, tricky
It's tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's tricky, tricky, tricky, tricky
In New York the people talk and try to make us rhyme
They really (hawk) but we just (walk) because we have no time
And in the city it's a pity 'cause we just can't hide
Tinted windows don't mean nothin', they know who's inside
It's tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's tricky (how is it D?) Tricky, tricky, tricky, tricky
It's tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's tricky, tricky, tricky, tricky, tricky huh
When I wake up, people take up mostly all of my time
I'm not singin', phone keep ringin' 'cause I make up a rhyme
I'm not braggin', people naggin' 'cause they think I'm a star
Always tearin' what I'm wearin', I think they're goin' too far
A girl named Carol follows Daryll every gig we play
Then D dissed her and dismissed her, now she's jockin' Jay
I ain't lyin', girls be cryin' 'cause I'm on TV
They even bother my poor father 'cause he's down with me
It's tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's tricky (how is it?) tricky, tricky, tricky, tricky
It's tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's tricky, t-t-t-t-tricky, t-t-tricky, tr
We are not thugs (we don't use drugs) but you assume (on your own)
They offer coke (and lots of dope) but we just leave it alone
It's like that y'all (y'all), but we don't quit
You keep on, rock, shock 'cause this is it
The lyrics of Run-D.M.C.'s "It's Tricky" describe the difficulty of creating and performing a great rap song. The song opens with the rapper asserting that his speech is a vital recital, setting the stage for the rest of the verses that explore the challenges of creating great music. The song also touches on the theme of fame and the difficulties of handling it, as the rapper describes how he and his groupmates are constantly being chased by admirers.
The second verse of the song describes the rapper's encounter with a girl who he describes as sleazy but who also wants him to rhyme for her. In response, the rapper tells her that it's not easy to come up with rhymes on the spot. The third verse describes the challenges that come with fame, including having no time for yourself, always being under the public's watchful eye, and dealing with admirers who can quickly become a nuisance.
Overall, the song explores the difficult aspects of being a successful rapper, both creatively and socially. It also demonstrates the Run-D.M.C.'s skill at crafting memorable, catchy rhymes that cleverly play with language and sound.
Line by Line Meaning
This speech is my recital, I think it's very vital
I'm about to perform a rhyming rap and it's important to me
To rock (a rhyme), that's right (on time)
To perform a rhyming rap, flawlessly timed
It's Tricky is the title, here we go
This song is called It's Tricky, let's get started
It's tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
Performing a rhyming rap with perfect timing is difficult
It's tricky, it's tricky, tricky, tricky, tricky
Performing this type of rap is challenging
I met this little girlie, her hair was kinda curly
I met a girl with curly hair
Went to her house and bust her out, I had to leave real early
I visited her and quickly had to run away
These girls are really sleazy, all they just say is please me
These girls only care about getting pleasure from me
Or spend some time and rock a rhyme, I said "It's not that easy"
They wanted me to spend time with them and perform a rap, but I declined because it's difficult
In New York the people talk and try to make us rhyme
In New York, people pressure us to perform a rhyming rap
They really (hawk) but we just (walk) because we have no time
They push us to perform, but we ignore them because we're busy
And in the city it's a pity 'cause we just can't hide
It's difficult to escape attention in the city
Tinted windows don't mean nothin', they know who's inside
Even with tinted windows, people recognize us inside our car
When I wake up, people take up mostly all of my time
When I wake up, people want my attention all day
I'm not singin', phone keep ringin' 'cause I make up a rhyme
People call me all the time because they think I'm always thinking of rhymes
I'm not braggin', people naggin' 'cause they think I'm a star
I'm not arrogant, but people bother me because they see me as a celebrity
Always tearin' what I'm wearin', I think they're goin' too far
People criticize what I wear, which I find excessive
A girl named Carol follows Daryll every gig we play
A girl named Carol always comes to our performances to see Daryll
Then D dissed her and dismissed her, now she's jockin' Jay
Once Daryll rejected her, she started paying attention to Jay instead
I ain't lyin', girls be cryin' 'cause I'm on TV
Girls cry when they see me on TV
They even bother my poor father 'cause he's down with me
Even my dad gets bothered by fans because he's associated with me
We are not thugs (we don't use drugs) but you assume (on your own)
We aren't violent or drug users, but people stereotype us based on appearance
They offer coke (and lots of dope) but we just leave it alone
People offer us drugs, but we refuse to use them
It's like that y'all (y'all), but we don't quit
We take things as they are, but we never give up
You keep on, rock, shock 'cause this is it
Keep performing and shocking the audience, this is what we're here for
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Rick Rubin, Darryl Matthews McDaniels, Joseph Ward Simmons, Jason William Mizell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SusanForman042
That's the same reason my dad showed me this when I was a kid
I remember my Dad showing me this when I was younger, originally because Pen & Teller were in this
Dad: ' Pen & Teller are in this music video. '
Me: ' Huh? okay cool. '
Dad: ' Yeah and hopefully you also like the song & band. '
Me * after listening * : ' That was awesome & not just Pen & Teller but the overall video, song, the band, & the clever how clever the rhyming is.'
.
A few years later
Dad: ' found this snowboarding video game, I thought we give it a try. '
Me: ' Okay, sure. '
Both of us watching the intro to the game: ' That's "It's Tricky" by "Run DMC"
This game just got way more awesome!
Me: ' I hope they that this actually plays during game play. '
* One of us does enough tricks in the game to trigger the multiplier *
Both of us: ' That's awesome! They actually have the song connected to a part of game play! '
I'm paraphrasing by the way I'll have to ask my Dad what I said / how accurate my paraphrasing is.
I might edit this later for the sake of accuracy.
@whatever
This song will stand the test of time.
@kashcreams4830
Lol
@adamstringer9597
Already has!
@dr.dfortnite2760
:O
@dr.dfortnite2760
@@adamstringer9597 lol
@omaygot5331
It’s real stand ability, is to stop time
@phantomxero1x447
And we're all here cause jmj finally got justice
@mssmiles0503
indeed
@kxmalahov
FINALLY!!!
@corpuschristi6149
yep yep