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King of Rock

Run-DMC

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iTunes Review

“King of Rock,” the title track of Run-D.M.C.’s second album, posited the rappers as legitimate challengers to rock music’s throne while serving as a reminder that much of the genre’s early pathbreaking was done by black artists. It was a forward-looking stance that predicted the hip-hop world we live in today. King of Rock (1985) added some radio-friendly keyboard sounds to the trio’s thumping minimalist beats, but they hardly changed the essential thrust. “You Talk Too Much” shut down a neighborhood gossip, while “It’s Not Funny” voiced the man in the street’s day-to-day concerns and “You’re Blind” was a pointed plea for uplift. Run-D.M.C.’s wide-open ears, which had already made way for hard-rock guitars on “King,” “Can You Rock It Like This” and the earlier “Rock Box,” also heard how Jamaican styles fit with New York rappers on “Roots, Rap, Reggae,” which features an appearance by dancehall superstar Yellowman.

Customer Reviews

Classic "Old-School" Skills

Relying on simple snare beats, rock guitar riffs, and Jam-Master Jay's (R.I.P.) turntable scratches, Run-DMC crafted memorable (sometimes comical) rhymes that don't rely on profanity or the "N-word" like so many of today's talent-starved gangsta rap copycats. This album (originally Tracks 1-9 only) heavily influenced the Beastie Boys' early sound (they used "Slow and Low" on their debut License to ILL), among others. Check out highlights "King of Rock", "Can You Rock It Like This", and "You Talk Too Much". The bonus tracks iTunes threw in make this buy a great deal, on top of it being one of rap's quintessential albums.

Great

Don't listen to that idiotic review. Just appreciate this album for what it is.

Are these reviews a joke?

To not rate one of the best old-school rap albums below 5 stars is a criminal offense and, as such, should be investigated by the appropriate rap-album-review-investigating agency. Run DMC were one of the brightest shining stars of the early days of rap and this album clearly demonstrates why. With such tracks as "Rock the House" and "King of Rock", one of the greatest rap songs ever. With strong beats and excellent writing, this is a class on how rap should be performed.

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