It's Like That And That's the Way It Is... Run-DMC and Hip Hop

On April 4 this year the first great act in Hip Hop music will be celebrated and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cheers to Run-DMC, along with Jam Master Jay they would pave the way for LL Cool J, the Beastie Boys, Def Jam Records and many more acts to follow. They pioneered Rap Rock with their version of "Walk This Way" with Aerosmith while they made Kangol and Adidas the hip thing to wear.

Run-DMC not only made rap music something special for your feet but crafted a message for your ears, heart and mind. with their induction to the Rock Hall I am reminded of one song that proves how great they were. "It's like That" was released in 1983 and is still relevant. Its simple beat never stops being catchy and despite sounding retro or 80's, it does not deter it from being an unbelievable pop tune or club hit. Don't dismiss the retro sound, current acts like Common and Kanye West are banking on capturing the 80's hip hop sound again, unfortunately acts like Afrika Bambaataa, Curtis Blow or Run-DMC can only teach so much about how it should or can be done.

In my lifetime I have heard many arguments against hip hop. Some stating that it is not music, or that it takes little talent to create and perform, or that it is not relevant. First, it is music. Second, from personal experience it is very hard to create and I have never tried to perform it. Thirdly, it is relevant. Try telling Chuck D that hip hop is not relevant. Tell that to Nas or the Roots, Eminem or Mos Def. Hip Hop might be dominated by club anthems about gang violence, bling, rims, bitches/hoes and keeping it real but hip hop is urban folk music. It is the music of a people, by the people and made for all the people. That is what great music is, that is what great rock is or great soul or country or hip hop is.

In 1983, "It's Like That," speaks of economic uncertainty, high unemployment, war, racism and the difficulties of the rat race. It reminds us that love doesn't buy you cloths and that we all face the hardships of life. It pushes to the center that success starts at home, at work, at school or at church. The simplicity of youth has passed, unity might be fragile but despite our glasses blurred, we are all in this together and "it's like that and that's the way it is."

Thank you Run-DMC and Jam Master Jay.