Run-D.M.C.'s 'It's Like That': How They Changed Hip-Hop
On August 10, 1983, Run-D.M.C. released their debut single 'It’s Like That,' a groundbreaking track that radically transformed hip-hop culture with its minimalist beats and raw, realistic lyrics about everyday life. The single, including the influential B-side 'Sucker M.C.'s,' laid the foundation for their legendary 1984 album and set a new standard in hip-hop, moving away from polished disco influences. 43 years later, 'It’s Like That' remains a timeless and relevant testament to the evolution and essence of true hip-hop.
Exactly 43 years ago today, a record was released that turned the entire culture upside down. On August 10, 1983, Run-D.M.C. released their debut single 'It’s Like That'—a moment that went down in history as one of the most significant shifts in hip-hop.
The trio from Hollis, Queens—Joseph 'Run' Simmons, Darryl 'D.M.C.' McDaniels, and Jam Master Jay—didn’t go with the disco influences that were all the rage at the time. They made a radical shift in direction. Minimalist beats, hard drums, no frills. Just straight up.
'It's Like That' was more than just a single. It was a statement. While other acts were still dabbling in the polished sound of the early ’80s, Run-D.M.C. came out with a sound that came straight from the streets. Raw production, tight flows, and lyrics that didn’t shy away from the reality of everyday life. Unemployment, poverty, survival—they rapped about it just as it was.
The record was released on Profile Records and was immediately embraced by a generation that identified with that no-nonsense approach. No glitz, no act. Just skills and honesty. The B-side, 'Sucker M.C.'s,' took it up a notch and is still considered one of the most influential hip-hop tracks ever made.
With this debut, Run-D.M.C. laid the groundwork for what would later become their legendary self-titled album, released in 1984. But it all started here, on this day in 1983, with a single that raised the bar and showed that hip-hop was more than just parties and feel-good vibes. It was an art form with something to say.
43 years later, 'It’s Like That' still sounds relevant. The production is timeless, the message universal. And it’s proof that real hip-hop never goes out of style—it evolves, but its essence remains the same.
Run-D.M.C. opened doors that others only dared to walk through. They made hip-hop harder, more authentic, and ready for the masses without losing its soul. That’s a legacy that counts.
