Credit: Luigi Novi

The impact of Run-DMC cannot be compared to any other group, as their influence on modern hip-hop is genuinely unparalleled. Beginning as just a group of friends from Queens, the trio, with the backing of music mogul Russell Simmons, became a uniquely formidable force. Furthermore with the ingenuity of Rick Rubin behind their sound, their material was incomparable to any other act.

In less than a decade, the three-piece ensemble achieved so many firsts. Aside from being the first collective to secure a gold album, they were the first to bag platinum and multiplatinum projects, a Rolling Stone cover, a top-ten pop single, a Grammy nomination, and a music video on MTV.

That said, only a member of Run-DMC would be able to provide a detailed perspective on their entire catalogue. As such, in 2023, when hip-hop celebrated its 50th anniversary with a series of epic events, DMC of the trio sat down with Vulture magazine to give some of his opinions about the legacy of the crew.

With their Kangol hats, Cazal glasses, black Lee jeans, tracksuits and shell-toe sneakers, many credit the trio with the fashion trends that would go on to define the 1980s. However, in a strictly musical conversation, DMC had some interesting opinions.

As the lyricist discussed some of the most pivotal moments and tracks from the group’s heyday, DMC highlighted ‘Sucker MCs’ as one of the most integral tracks to the legacy of Run-DMC. Opening up about the 1983 single, the rhymer detailed, “‘Sucker MCs’ is the most important because it’s the true essence of Run-DMC. ‘Sucker MCs’ was the game-changer!”

Sucker MCs was undoubtedly an impactful track. In fact, it is held in such high esteem that even Nas named it as the most important hip-hop track ever made during an interview with Mass Appeal.

DMC admitted that although they definitely had hits, some of their material was overrated. More specifically, the track ‘Darryl and Joe’ from their 1985 project, King of Rock. Speaking about the song, the icon elaborated, “It’s not terrible like Back From Hell shit, but we’ve never understood why so many people over the years told us they love this fuckin’ song. Nas told me it was because it was the first time we used our real names. The only thing that makes sense, I guess.”

That said, although they may have had some overrated tracks, DMC also highlighted some of the songs he believes didn’t get enough love and highlighted a cut from their sixth studio album, which he considers underrated.

Naming the song, he told Vulture, “I think Run-DMC’s most popular songs are also our best songs. There’s one song off of Down With the King that comes to mind because I love the way it sounds. ‘Ooh, Whatcha Gonna Do’ where we tried to go a little too hard, letting these ’90s cats know we’re still here, rapping about gunshots, punks, murder, and all this bullshit. But Jay nailed the sound. It feels like a sequel to ‘Beats to the Rhyme.’”