Customer Reviews

Tougher Than Leather (Deluxe Expanded Edition)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

At the end of 1986, Raising Hell was rap's best-selling album up to that point, though it would soon be outsold by the Beastie Boys' Licensed to Ill. Profile Records hoped that Run-D.M.C.'s fourth album, Tougher than Leather, would exceed the Beastie Boys' quintuple-platinum status, but unfortunately, the group's popularity had decreased by 1988. One of Run-D.M.C.'s strong points -- its love of rock & roll -- was also its undoing in hip-hop circles. Any type of crossover success tends to be viewed suspiciously in the hood, and hardcore hip-hoppers weren't overly receptive to "Miss Elaine," "Papa Crazy," "Mary, Mary" and other rap/rock delights found on the album. Thanks largely to rock fans, this album did go platinum for sales exceeding one million copies -- which ironically, Profile considered a disappointment. But the fact is that while Tougher than Leather isn't quite as strong as Run-D.M.C.'s first three albums, it was one of 1988's best rap releases. [Tougher Than Leather was remastered and reissued in 1999.]

The recent passing of Jam Master Jay made me revisit their catalog, and while TTL was not their most well known album, It was always my favorite and I think it will stand up over time. It is very dense (similar to the Beastie's Paul's Boutique) and sounds great through a set of headphones.

If you are a fan of pure head bob'n rap from the 80's you'll appreciate this gem.

I still love listening to this cd after 10 years of hearing my brother's old tapes. If you are sick of new hip-pop-rap stuff, do yourself a favor, check out some old RUN DMC stuff, and starting with this cd wouldn't be a bad idea. Sure, at the time this idea may have been played out, but come on, no one in their right mind can argue against the title track, "Tougher Than Leather". This is simply one of the best songs ever made by one of the most successful groups in rap history.

I'll admit, sometimes the album is a little weak, but, it is only because only greatness is expected from RUN DMC and when it falls below that they are looked down upon, perhaps their success is doing them a disfavor by reviewers. If you are looking to get back to how rap originated and some of the classics, check this out, and tunes like "Mary, Mary", "Run's House", and perhaps the most catchiest song on the album, "Beats To The Rhyme". From a 21 year old who missed out on raps roots, I can still appreciate it through cds like this every day.

This album is INCREDIBLE!

Though vaguely dissed by some hip-hop heads who felt the crew waited too long to drop the product, this album still holds up as one of the hardest rap albums of all time..

Hip hop beats and blazing guitars crash and burn like nowhere else!

Best Cuts: Mary Mary, Beats to the Rhyme, Miss Elaine, and the title track, which should be getting airplay on Classic Rock stations!

ALL of Run DMC's albums were re-released in 1999- So pick this up, party people!

When Tougher Than Leather was released in 1988 hip-hop and rap music was changing. Ice-T was spitting his gangsta rhymes. NWA and Eazy E were welcoming in West Coast rap and gangsta rap. Boogie Down Productions and Public Enemy had concious rap on lock. Artists such as MC Hammer (yes, he did have an album before "U Can't Touch This), Kool Moe Dee, Eric B. and Rakeem, Big Daddy Kane, and The Beastie Boys were on the scene and on the music charts. Run-DMC had a bit more competition that they once did. Tougher Than Leather was by no means a commercial disapointment but it didn't have that huge appeal that Raising Hell had. The album had hits with "Mary, Mary," and "I'm Not Going Out Like That."

The most memorable song from this reissue is "Christmas In Hollis." This song is considered the first hip-hop Christmas Carol and can still be heard every holiday season. The song didn't appear on the original pressing of Tougher Than Leather but is one of three bonus tracks on the reissue. The reissue includes an introduction by Chuck D and includes interesting facts including the fact that Run DMC were set to headline their 4th national tour when the album was released.

To me, "Beats to The Rhymes" is my favorite song on the album. That's not to say there's not any more dope tracks on this album. If your a RUN-DMC fan, you must have this album in your collection.

Tougher than Leather--
Rap group Run DMC experienced their biggest commercial success off the strength of their third LP, 1986's Raising Hell. In the process they virtually introduced hip-hop to most of mainstream America, while giving indie label Profile Records extra reason to be proud of the homeboys from Queens. A year later, their follow-up LP was allegedly scheduled to be released--and their manager Russell Simmons tried to extricate them from their deal with Profile. But Profile balked on parting ways with their biggest act, and Tougher than Leather made its debut in the spring of 1988. By this time, several things had occurred--for one, hip-hop's street audience had been moving on to newer acts during Run DMC's hiatus, like Big Daddy Kane, Eric B. & Rakim, and Ice T. Also, the pop charts still didn't seem to have room for more than one rap act, a slot which DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince now filled. Tougher than Leather was met with platinum sales, but the urban backlash to the group was tangible, despite a well-received "Run's House" tour. In retrospect, this album still holds up as one of the hardest rap albums of all time, as the hip-hop beats and loud guitars crash and burn like nowhere else. Produced mostly by Davy D, some of the best songs include `Mary Mary' (Rick Rubin's lone contribution, sampling the Monkees' tune), `Beats to the Rhyme', `Radio Station', `Miss Elaine', and the guitar-heavy title track. If Raising Hell is their best LP, Tougher than Leather is a close second. The 2005 re-release includes bonus material.

The item arrived ahead of schedule. I was pleased with the quality of packaging and the condition of the item itself.

As a kid born into the early 70's, in which the roots of hip hop were soon to come, & contrary to popular opinion, many fail to realize that 'Raising Hell' was definitely a tough act to follow, which many still believe (including myself) to be the Greatest Hip Hop Album of all time! Nevertheless - compared to other rap albums of '88, Tougher Than Leather clearly deserves 5-star status. The era had already begun, where everyone was dubbing vs. going out & purchasing albums in stores. So it's unfair to categorize this album as "subpar" by Run-DMC's standards/record sales. Just the intro alone with Run's House would prove to be a catchy theme throughout the test of time - just ask MTV in 2009. OMG - BEATS TO THE RHYMES hands down is one of best displays of Emcee'ing/DJ'ing combos you'll ever witness on ANY hip hop track, including Run's delivery (not to sleep on DMC's) which was intense, electrifying, and unprecedented amongst emcees of the era. Quite frankly, you can't listen to tracks 1-9 without head bobbin to the rhymes & historical beats. The only disappointment on this album in my opinion...Miss Elaine. They'd already achieved major success in crossover tracks on each of the first 3 albums. Miss Elaine just didn't have the same flare or knock. If you're a true hip hop head, this cd (along with Run-DMC, King of Rock, & Raising Hell) is definitely a MUST ADD to your collection.

this album (although not as good as their prior albums) rocks. runs house is a classic and beats to the rhyme is better than ANY hip hop song coming out today.