Run's House

In April of 1988 Run-DMC released the single "Run's House"/"Beats To The Rhyme." Run-DMC's prior release was 1986's Raising Hell, which sold 3 million records. Raising Hell was Run -DMC's most popular and successful project up to that point, mainly due to strategically timed singles like "My Adidas," "You Be Illin," "It's Tricky," and the genre-bending "Walk This Way."

Many changes had occurred in the rap industry in the year of Run-DMC's absence and a strong single was necessary, not only to ensure the success of the next project, but for the survival of the group. The Davy DMX produced "Run's House" which was based on a Run-DMC routine was the much needed reminder of just who Run-DMC was to Hip-Hop. The video helped to push the single and the anticipation for new Run-DMC music. The incredibly energetic "Beats To The Rhyme," which was produced by Davy DMX and Dwayne "Muffla" Simon of the L.A. Posse was as strong as "Run's House" and most importantly both singles held their own in a rapidly changing rap industry that was experiencing a new renaissance in a pivotal year.

The Absence

Fans of rap music can be fickle and quick to move on to the next thing. A one year absence in any other genre of music would be normal, but at the time it could be fatal in rap. Run-DMC was signed to Profile records in 1983, a year before Run's older brother and Run-DMC's manager Russell Simmons formed Def Jam Records with Rick Rubin. Cory Robbins, co-founder of Profile Records told The Foundation that Russell understandably wanted Run-DMC at Def Jam once he formed it.

"I think it always bothered Russell that his biggest group wasn't on his label," he said. "When I signed Run-DMC there was no Def Jam. Russell brought them to me because we were a label that released rap records and he needed one."

News that Run-DMC was working on a movie and album titled Tougher Than Leather started to circulate in 1987. 1987 was also the year that Big Daddy Kane and Public Enemy debuted. Boogie Down Productions, Ultramagnetic MC's, Eric B & Rakim, Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince and a new generation of fresh talent was changing the game. Marley Marl's Juice Crew was on fire at the time and a new Black consciousness made its way to the music. News that Run-DMC was embroiled in a legal battle with Profile Records in wishes of breaking their contract was also big in 1987.

Tougher Than Leather

Tougher Than Leather was released in May 1988. Much like Chuck D's proclamation that Public Enemy's debut Yo! Bum Rush The Show suffered from material recorded years before, Tougher Than Leather suffered from the same. The fact that 1988 was an incredible and prolific year for rap albums didn't help, even with the extremely timely "Run's House" single. Honestly, Tougher.... would probably have been a lot stronger if it had been released in 1987 as planned.

"How'd ya Do It D," "They Call Us Run-DMC," "Ragtime," "Radio Station" and "I'm Not Going Out Like That" were strong songs. In the days when rap albums contained 8 songs or less this would have been stellar. But now that rap releases contained themes, skits and several songs, what worked in '86 and before did not any longer. "Walk This Way" the groups collaboration with Rock band Aerosmith set the bar extremely high for Run-DMC's rock output and "Mary,Mary," "Poppa Crazy" and the title track (which was very good) failed to replicate the success and popularity of "Walk This Way."

On September 16, 1988, Tougher Than Leather opened in theaters to lukewarm reception and reviews, but over the decades it has become a cult classic. Tougher Than Leather the album sounds good three decades after its release, leaving us to ponder how it would have performed if released on its planned release date.