The early hip-hop group Run-D.M.C. is known for pioneering and popularizing the genre of “new-school” hip hop, building on elements of rock, as well as incorporating their unique intertwining vocals, which, at the time, was a completely new take on lyricism. On May 15, 1986 Run-D.M.C. ‘s “Raising Hell” was released, influencing the new-school hip hop scene as well as creating one of the most popular albums of the 80s.
The album kicks off with the song “Peter Piper”, which takes inspiration from the rhyming fairy tale, and then builds on the rhymes with Run-D.M.C. ‘s braided lines. The entire track of “Peter Piper” takes fairy tales and children’s books (not necessarily the words of the fairy tales), turning them into a swift rhyme, while an old-school hip-hop beat takes over: “Now Little Bo Peep cold lost her sheep / And Rip Van Winkle fell the hell asleep / And Alice chilling somewhere in Wonderland / Jack’s serving Jill a bucket in his hand / And Jam Master Jay’s making all that sound / The turntables might wobble, but they don’t fall down /”. Not only is this a funky transformation of fairy tale characters; this is a homage to Run-D.M.C.’s Jam Master Jay
Continuing the playful tone of the album, we have the song “Walk This Way”, featuring Aerosmith. Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith collaborated to mix rap and rock, which succeeded: their collaboration offered a sweet and salty combination. However, comparing “Peter Piper” to “Walk This Way”, we see a huge leap within the genre of rap. On one hand we have the song “Peter Piper”, which is flat out beats and rhymes, and on the other hand we have “Walk This Way”, which has a rocking drum base with Aerosmith’s lyrics sprinkled in. Moving through the album, there’s the song “You Be Illin’”, which gives ridiculous scenarios of people who in their mind are “Illin’”. This song shows how important humor was to Run-D.M.C. They wanted their audience to see the fun of their songs, which offers an almost interactive experience. One section of the track humorously states, “He asked this old lady, ‘Yo, yo, um, is this Kentucky Fried?’ / The lady said ‘Yeah’, smiled and he smiled back / He gave a quarter and his order, small fry and Big Mac / You be illin’”. “You Be Illin’” continues with more intricate and funky rhymes that offer obtuse situations. So, don’t say something absurd, because the men of Run-D.M.C. will spawn in and say “YOU BE ILLIN!”
“Raising Hell” wraps up with the song “Proud to Be Black”, which is a complete rebellion song which states the fact that if anyone tries to give them a hard time because they are black, they’ll put up a fight. “Proud to Be Black”, as the name suggests, also celebrates being black, which is sprinkled on top of the song’s defiance. It also celebrates the long journey African Americans endured out of slavery and segregation. “And if you get in my way, I will not turn back / I’m proud of my name, my name is Darryl Mack / I’m Black and I’m proud, and I’ll say it out loud / I’ll share my story with the whole crowd”.