Run-D.M.C. - Greatest Hits

Run D.M.C.

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 10, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B00006HCW6
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,025 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Is Run-DMC the most important group of the past 25 years? Well, if you believe that the rise of hip-hop is the most significant musical development in a quarter century, what other conclusion can you draw? Though they may not have been responsible for the birth of rap, the Hollis, Queens, trio represents the genre's coming of age. They were the ones who brought what was largely a regional street phenomenon to the masses. The rhymes, the beats, the style, the attitude--Run-DMC introduced it all to the world. Focusing mostly on the group's first three albums--each of them a cornerstone of rap music--this 18-track collection is a reminder of a time when rap enjoyed a kind of childlike innocence: their boasts are forceful but not angry; the beats are simple but exciting; the overall effect (fueled by heavy-metal riffs) is edgy and aggressive, but not violent or destructive. But most of all, it's fun. In the 1990s, rap artists would take Run-DMC's ideas to wide extremes, but the roots of this next generation--gangsta rap's street realism, political rap's social agendas, rock-rap's antagonism--are found right here. Run-DMC--like almost all pioneers from Elvis to Louis Armstrong--suffered a period of irrelevancy when they were looked upon as quaint or outdated, but, their time will come. Rest assured, this is not '80s retro kitsch. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect greatest hits album., March 23, 2005

By	M J Heilbron Jr. "Dr. Mo" (Long Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is a perfect greatest hits album because:
a) it provides all the important songs of the artist's career...
b) it provides remastered versions of said songs
c) it is sequenced as if it should be played in its' entirety...the song order matters
d) it demonstrates artistic growth, increasing your appreciation for the artist
e) it provides context of that artist within their genre and other genres

and f) at least three times you will say, out loud, "that was awesome", when listening to it.

The dexterous wordplay, the thundering beats, the hysterical humor...so many artists, from the rap world to the rock (could Linkin Park even exist without, say, "Rock Box" or "Walk This Way"?) owe their careers to these three musicians.

There is nobody, nor will there ever be anybody, like Run D.M.C. They were the best at what they do, and this disc is proof.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Hip-Hop is supposed to be, November 7, 2002

By	AW177 "AW177" (Flushing, NY United States) - See all my reviews

With the tragic loss of Jam Master Jay and w/ the rest of the group disbanding, it seems a part of hip-hop has died as well. The part of what hip-hop is supposed to be, non-violent raps, positive messages (Down w/ the King), etc. seems to have died as well. Run-DMC never needed what today's artists have, huge entourages, plenty of ice, cars, girls, etc. and the use of the "n" word over and over again. If only today's artists can learn something from Run-DMC instead of just giving them props, things may be different today and Jay may still live. God Bless Jam Master Jay and the rest of Run-DMC. RIP Jay, you will be missed.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who's house? Runs house!, August 17, 2004

By	Alan Pounds "Minnesota Hip-Hop Fiend" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Where do you begin with a Group like Run-DMC. A group that broke down all the barriers from hard rock to rap, although melodic and accessible enough to break into popular music. They kick it out with drum machines, scratching and also mixing in guitars and keyboards. They got some amazing rhymes and lyrics to match. Run-DMC are pioneers, like The Beatles. They've paved the way for hip-hoppers since their debut in 1984.

In closing, This CD is a great introduction to Run-DMC. It's the one I started with, and I have purchased the first four albums because I thought it was so great. If you are looking for old school hip-hop, Run-DMC is the way to go. It doesn't get much older or cooler than this.