THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

113-Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins-It’s Like That.

1998-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.02. It’s kind of ironic that the group who were so influential in changing ‘Rap’ music from using a ‘Disco’ beat to a ‘Rock’ sound should have their biggest success with a ‘Dance’ record.

Run-D.M.C. (see also best songs 305) were formed in 1983 in Hollis, Queens, New York City, United States, by Joseph Ward Simmons, (DJ Run) Darryl McDaniels, (DMC) and Jason William Mizell, (Jam Master Jay) (1965-2002) they remained officially active until Mizell was murdered in 2002. There have been occasional re-unions between Simmons and McDaniels since 2012. More than any other Hip-Hop act Run D.M.C. are responsible for changing the sound and style of the genre. Before Run D.M.C. Rap music was mainly performed over a ‘Disco’ beat, with the majority of the Rappers bragging about their lifestyle and sexual conquests. Run D.M.C. were the main protagonists in the cultural change as they created a new ‘street’ sound with sparse hard hitting beats, and socially conscious lyrics, using two turn tables and a microphone. Their clothing was also radically different to what up until then had been the stereotypical flashy attire of the ‘old school’ rapper, of tight leather, chest baring shirts, gloves and hats, and rhinestones. Run D.M.C. incorporated a more ‘street’ sense of style such as ‘Kangol’ hats, ‘Cazal’ glasses, leather jackets, and unlaced ‘Adidas’ shoes. Their lyrics would be an influence on groups such as ‘NWA’ (see also best songs 564 and 128) and ‘Public Enemy,’ (see also best songs 578 and 37) as well as helping to usher in the ‘Rap/Rock’ era, where they influenced the likes of ‘Red Hot Chilli Peppers,’ (see also best songs 977) and Linkin Park. The discography of Run D.M.C. includes seven studio Albums released between 1984-2001, and 30 singles issued between 1983-2014, of which four made the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, with ‘Walk This Way’ with Aerosmith charting the highest at Number 4 in 1986 (see also best songs 305.) In the UK Run D.M.C. have charted on six occasions, with this song being the most successful.

Although this remixed version of ‘It’s Like That’ is one of the best selling songs worldwide, having reached Number 1 in 12 countries, with sales in excess of 5 million copies, it failed to chart in America, only reaching Number 113 on Billboard. Run D.M.C. released the original version of ‘It’s Like That’ as their first single in 1983,the lyrics tackle social and political problems, and tell listeners to abandon prejudice and take on a positive outlook. In 1997 Jason Nevins remixed ‘It’s Like That’ adding an ‘Electronic’ dance beat. There is also a very memorable video that helped the songs popularity, but due to the songs upbeat vibe, and the video’s dance scene, there is no doubt that ‘It’s Like That’s’ social commentary is not recognised.

Jason Nevins was born on December 15th, 1972, in Los Angeles, California, United States, he is a songwriter, music producer, and is best known for remixing, with his greatest successes being with this song, and also ‘Cruise,’ which was a 2012 Number 4 hit on Billboard for the ‘Florida Georgia Line featuring Nelly.’ Initially Nevins only issued a small amount of copies of ‘It’s Like That’ on 10 inch vinyl in 1997, but as the DJ’s in the clubs began to play the song, it grew and grew in demand.

‘You should’ve gone to school, you could’ve learned a trade, but you laid in the bed where the bums have laid. Now all the time you’re crying that you’re underpaid, it’s like that (what?) and that’s the way it is, Huh!’