Ice Cube Pens Essay: I Was Obsessed with Run-DMC

[Deltron]

I became a rap music fan in 1979 when the Sugarhill Gang released “Rapper’s Delight.” I was also a fan of groups like Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five and Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force. Although those groups did great records, I could not relate to them as much as I could relate to three guys out of Queens, N.Y., who looked like the older homies from around my block—black hats, black leather jackets and that confident attitude.

The first time I heard “It’s Like That” I almost had a seizure it was so good, and on the B-side it was “Sucker M.C.’s.” My homie Sammy Dennis wore out his speakers playing that song relentlessly on repeat. By 1983 Run-DMC released their second single, “Hard Times” and “Jam-Master Jay.” Then I knew there was a God and I had found my new favorite group.

Run-DMC were the first group that I obsessed over. Their debut album, Run-D.M.C., was the first album I ever saved up to buy with my own money. As a matter of fact, me and my friend Ronnie bought the record together. I would keep it four days; he would keep it three days. Our parents thought we were crazy when we took all the shoestrings out of our shoes.

Run was my favorite MC. I thought he had 1,000 percent more swagger than any rapper of today. Ronnie loved DMC’s voice. He said nobody could ever sound like the Devastating Mic Controller. I remember the day that Dr. Dre played me the Raising Hell album. We knew we had to step our game up.

Run-DMC took hip-hop to rock star status. They showed us how to do everything, especially how to perform with songs like “Here We Go.” They showed us if you had a dope DJ you “didn’t need no band,” and that rappers from the hood could be the Kings of Rock too. I wouldn’t be a rapper today if Run-DMC didn’t show me how to do it with class.

In 1985 I went around to every movie theater I could find looking for a movie called Krush Groove because Run-DMC were in it. In 1987 I saw them perform in Phoenix. After the show we went by their hotel and DMC needed a ride to the store. After buying a 40 oz with DMC, I thought I died and went to heaven.

A few years back I had a bucket list moment when BET asked me to do a cypher with my two sons and Run with his two sons. There’s nothing like sharing a rooftop in Brooklyn and a little alone time with one of my heroes. I had a chance to thank him for inspiring me to be great and showing me that it’s cool to rap about the world around you.

It’s been a blessing getting to know these guys over the years as one of their peers. I remember when someone said hip-hop was dead. I didn’t believe them until I heard that they killed Jam Master Jay. Then I believed them.

A part of hip-hop died that night, but the spirit lives on. I will always love and be totally indebted to and grateful to the phenomenal Kings from Queens, Run-DMC.

 

[hex]

Dope read.

This is why I chuckle over that coastal rivalry shyt.

Fred.

 

[Turbulent]

i never listened to Run DMC albums. i'm gonna check their music out off that read alone

 

[R.O. Double]

It's crazy that he loved Run DMC so much but ended up sounding like the Beastie Boys on the old CIA tapes.

Also DMC > Run.

 

[Bugsmoran]

Cool

 

[Inspect Her Deck]

No co-sign stronger than an Ice Cube one.

Run-DMC are cemented.

 

[mson]

Great homage. They've already been certified legends.

 

[hex]

It's crazy that he loved Run DMC so much but ended up sounding like the Beastie Boys on the old CIA tapes.

Also DMC > Run.

I gave up trying to figure out why rappers are fans of other rappers vs actually sounding like completely different rappers years ago.

I remember a 90's interview with C-Murder....I think it was in Murder Dog magazine....where he said Common was one of his favorite rappers. shyt was

Mind you, this was "Resurrection", "One Day It'll All Make Sense" era Common.

Fred.

 

[Mike the Executioner]

Real recognize real.

Raising Hell had Cube shook?

 

[The Fire]

He lying, this wasn't in the movie

 

[The War Report]

Queens reign supreme.

 

[morris]

 

[bigbadbossup2012]

Dope read.

This is why I chuckle over that coastal rivalry shyt.

Fred.

Nothing to chuckle about. East coast got ultimate respect from all but still was hating like some bytches. Run was one of the haters according to Luke. And cube was clearly part of the resistance against east coast hate,not against Run, but in general.

 

[morris]

Nothing to chuckle about. East coast got ultimate respect from all but still was hating like some bytches. Run was one of the haters according to Luke. And cube was clearly part of the resistance against east coast hate,not against Run, but in general.

@3:55 DMC

 

[DaveyDave]

@3:55 DMC

that's MF DOOM at 3.55

i see DMC dissing Hammer about 10-15 secs later tho, that's not specifically west coast hate tho, more sell out hate