80s Throwback: RUN-DMC - 'It's Tricky'

This speech is my recital, I think it's very vital
To rock (a rhyme), that's right (on time)
It's Tricky is the title, here we go...

I was cruising through the DailyBOOM archives yesterday and realized something that honestly surprised me, there hasn't been nearly enough old-school rap featured here. That's a mistake I plan on correcting immediately, and there really isn't a better place to start than RUN-DMC.

While just about everyone else seemed completely obsessed with the group's legendary collaboration with Aerosmith on "Walk This Way," I was over in my own lane blasting "It's Tricky." It was the third track from their groundbreaking Raising Hell album, and for me, it was every bit as memorable as their biggest crossover hit.

Released in late 1986, "It's Tricky" was everywhere. It received constant airplay on local radio, and MTV had the video in heavy rotation. Back then, MTV still had the power to turn a great song into a cultural event, and RUN-DMC knew exactly how to make an impression. The video was packed with personality, humor, and one of those unexpected celebrity cameos that made you do a double take - magic duo Penn & Teller showed up to add even more fun to the chaos.

What I always loved about "It's Tricky" was that it perfectly captured the energy of RUN-DMC. The beat was infectious, the lyrics were playful, and the chemistry between Run, DMC, and Jam Master Jay was undeniable. It wasn't trying to be overly serious—it was simply cool, confident, and impossible not to sing along with. Even now, it's hard to hear that opening without wanting to shout, "It's Tricky to rock a rhyme..."

Looking back, Raising Hell was one of those albums that helped redefine what hip-hop could be. It introduced countless listeners to rap music while proving that the genre belonged right alongside rock, pop, and everything else dominating the charts in the mid-'80s. RUN-DMC weren't just making hit records, they were changing the landscape of popular music.

Nearly four decades later, "It's Tricky" still has all the energy it did back in 1986. It instantly transports me to afternoons spent watching MTV, waiting for my favorite videos to come on, and reminds me why this era of music continues to hold such a special place in my heart.

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Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: Kris Kross - 'Jump'

"Don't try to compare us to another bad little fad
I'm the Mac and I'm bad givin' ya something that you never had
I'll make ya rump rump wiggle and shake your rump
'Cause I'll be kicking the flavor that makes you wanna Jump
How high? Real high
Cause I'm just so fly
A young loveable, huggable type of guy
And everything is to the back with a little slack"

The early '90s seemed to have a handful of hi[p hop groups or duo's that amounted to being a flash in the pan. The music market was so flooded with them that they almost canceled each other out which was kind of sad because there was some real talent there. Kris Kross was one of the few exceptions to that situation. Chris Kelly and Chris Smith got together before they were barely teenagers and by the time 1992 rolled around they were sitting on top of Billboard's Hot 100 for 8 weeks.

"Jump" was and still is an anthem. It gets people up and moving with every spin. Not only did Kelly and Smith have mad skills but they were produced by Jermaine Dupri, which basically ensured their success. They were also unique, known for wearing their clothes backwards and when 90's kids followed their lead they became fashion trailblazers of a sort.

Kris Kross ultimately released 3 albums together and kept making moves in the music industry, often behind the scenes. Chris Kelly's struggle with drugs was pretty well known and in May of 2013 he lost that battle. Chris Smith continues to make music and produce.

Check out the video for "Jump" below. I don't remember wearing my clothes backwards but my hat was definitely tipped to the back.

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Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: Kris Kross - 'Jump'

"Don't try to compare us to another bad little fad
I'm the Mac and I'm bad givin' ya something that you never had
I'll make ya rump rump wiggle and shake your rump
'Cause I'll be kicking the flavor that makes you wanna Jump
How high? Real high
Cause I'm just so fly
A young loveable, huggable type of guy
And everything is to the back with a little slack"

The early '90s seemed to have a handful of hi[p hop groups or duo's that amounted to being a flash in the pan. The music market was so flooded with them that they almost canceled each other out which was kind of sad because there was some real talent there. Kris Kross was one of the few exceptions to that situation. Chris Kelly and Chris Smith got together before they were barely teenagers and by the time 1992 rolled around they were sitting on top of Billboard's Hot 100 for 8 weeks.

"Jump" was and still is an anthem. It gets people up and moving with every spin. Not only did Kelly and Smith have mad skills but they were produced by Jermaine Dupri, which basically ensured their success. They were also unique, known for wearing their clothes backwards and when 90's kids followed their lead they became fashion trailblazers of a sort.

Kris Kross ultimately released 3 albums together and kept making moves in the music industry, often behind the scenes. Chris Kelly's struggle with drugs was pretty well known and in May of 2013 he lost that battle. Chris Smith continues to make music and produce.

Check out the video for "Jump" below. I don't remember wearing my clothes backwards but my hat was definitely tipped to the back.

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: RUN-DMC - 'It's Tricky'

This speech is my recital, I think it's very vital
To rock (a rhyme), that's right (on time)
It's Tricky is the title, here we go...

I was cruising through Boom's archives yesterday and realized that there hasn't been very much old school rap featured and that is something that I need to correct immediately, starting with RUN-DMC.  While everyone else was semi-obsessed with the boys appearing with Aerosmith in their video for "Walk This Way", I was all about "It's Tricky" the third track off of their Raising Hell album.

 "It's Tricky" was released in late 1986 and got tons of airplay in my area. Plus the video was constantly playing on MTV, in part because of it featuring a cameo with Penn & Teller. Do you guys remember this one? Check out the clip below, 30 years later it's still one of my very favorite RUN-DMC tracks!

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: P.M. Dawn - 'Paper Doll'

"Hello, Imagine yourself and a link on a chain, the chain is wrapped around someones mind,
If you break off then things start to change. Then You realize that there's no time,
No direction as you fly through the wind. you stop to ponder on a pink chateau.
The theme from "Mohogany" still transcends. But Quote Unqoute, that's the way it goes."

The early 90's brought us lots of smooth soul to really dig in to. P.M. Dawn was fantastic at mixing a slick rap with a cool groove and basically helping to carve out a niche that eventually became known as lyrical hip hop. Rather than rambling on about this one I'd rather you just listen- because everything I could say is already in the music. Enjoy!

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Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: Kris Kross - 'Jump'

"Don't try to compare us to another bad little fad
I'm the Mac and I'm bad givin' ya something that you never had
I'll make ya rump rump wiggle and shake your rump
'Cause I'll be kicking the flavor that makes you wanna Jump
How high? Real high
Cause I'm just so fly
A young loveable, huggable type of guy
And everything is to the back with a little slack"

The early '90s seemed to have a handful of hi[p hop groups or duo's that amounted to being a flash in the pan. The music market was so flooded with them that they almost canceled each other out which was kind of sad because there was some real talent there. Kris Kross was one of the few exceptions to that situation. Chris Kelly and Chris Smith got together before they were barely teenagers and by the time 1992 rolled around they were sitting on top of Billboard's Hot 100 for 8 weeks.

"Jump" was and still is an anthem. It gets people up and moving with every spin. Not only did Kelly and Smith have mad skills but they were produced by Jermaine Dupri, which basically ensured their success. They were also unique, known for wearing their clothes backwards and when 90's kids followed their lead they became fashion trailblazers of a sort.

Kris Kross ultimately released 3 albums together and kept making moves in the music industry, often behind the scenes. Chris Kelly's struggle with drugs was pretty well known and in May of 2013 he lost that battle. Chris Smith continues to make music and produce.

Check out the video for "Jump" below. I don't remember wearing my clothes backwards but my hat was definetly tipped to the back.

Currently Booming: NEW Neneh Cherry- 'Broken Politics'

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: RUN-DMC - 'It's Tricky'

This speech is my recital, I think it's very vital
To rock (a rhyme), that's right (on time)
It's Tricky is the title, here we go...

I was cruising through Boom's archives yesterday and realized that there hasn't been very much old school rap featured and that is something that I need to correct immediately, starting with RUN-DMC.  While everyone else was semi-obsessed with the boys appearing with Aerosmith in their video for "Walk This Way", I was all about "It's Tricky" the third track off of their Raising Hell album.

 "It's Tricky" was released in late 1986 and got tons of airplay in my area. Plus the video was constantly playing on MTV, in part because of it featuring a cameo with Penn & Teller. Do you guys remember this one? Check out the clip below, 30 years later it's still one of my very favorite RUN-DMC tracks!

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