Artist: Run-DMC
Best Album: Tougher than Leather
Best Song: Run’s House
This Letter Could Have Been About: Rakim, The Roots, Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, The RZA

Why I’m Writing About This Artist: Because Run-DMC was not only responsible for hiphop’s first real crossover hit in their Walk This Way collaboration with Aerosmith, they also produced the greatest Christmas song of all time in Christmas in Hollis.  Shut up, I’m right. Because they somehow made wearing Adidas shoes cool.

Fun fact: the second best Christmas song of all time is Eazy-E’s Merry Muthafuckin Christmas.

If you’re looking at mainstream success– in other words, success as defined by white audiences, basically– Run-DMC was the first and foremost.  They had rap’s first gold, platinum and multiplatinum album, rap’s first Grammy nomination, and were the first rap group to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone.  They were also the second rap group to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, behind Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

Admit it: you already know at least one Run-DMC song.  I know you do.

Have a video!:

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