Tougher Than Leather
Encyclopedia
Tougher Than Leather is a 1988 studio album for American
rap group Run–D.M.C. and a follow-up to their hit Raising Hell. While the new record did not maintain the same popularity as its predecessor, it obtained platinum status and spawned the favorites "Run's House" and "Mary, Mary" (built around a sample from The Monkees
' song).
Tougher Than Leather was the group's fourth effort and blended in elements of not only rap but also rock n' roll and funk
, making it their most varied effort to date alongside King of Rock
. "Papa Crazy" is based on Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
by The Temptations
.
, starring the members of Run-D.M.C. and their producer, Rick Rubin
, was also released in 1988.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rap group Run–D.M.C. and a follow-up to their hit Raising Hell. While the new record did not maintain the same popularity as its predecessor, it obtained platinum status and spawned the favorites "Run's House" and "Mary, Mary" (built around a sample from The Monkees
The Monkees
The Monkees are an American pop rock group. Assembled in Los Angeles in 1966 by Robert "Bob" Rafelson and Bert Schneider for the American television series The Monkees, which aired from 1966 to 1968, the musical acting quartet was composed of Americans Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork,...
' song).
Tougher Than Leather was the group's fourth effort and blended in elements of not only rap but also rock n' roll and funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
, making it their most varied effort to date alongside King of Rock
King of Rock
King of Rock is the second album by hip hop trio Run–D.M.C.. Produced in 1985, the album sees the group adopting a more rock-influenced sound, with several tracks prominently featuring heavy guitar riffs....
. "Papa Crazy" is based on Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" is a soul song, written by Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong as a single for Motown act The Undisputed Truth in 1971...
by The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
.
Film
A film of the same nameTougher Than Leather (film)
Tougher Than Leather is an American film released in 1988 and distributed by New Line Cinema. The film was directed by Rick Rubin and stars the hip-hop group Run–D.M.C. They created the movie to coincide with the release of their fourth studio album also titled Tougher Than Leather.-Plot:At the...
, starring the members of Run-D.M.C. and their producer, Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin
Frederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
, was also released in 1988.
Track listing
- "Run's HouseRun's House (song)"Run's House" is a single released by Run-D.M.C. from their fourth studio album Tougher Than Leather. It was released in 1988 through Profile Records and was produced and written by the group and Davy D. "Run's House" was the highest charting single from the album, making it to number ten on the...
" – 3:49- Samples: "Funky Drummer" by James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
- Samples: "Funky Drummer" by James Brown
- "Mary, MaryMary, Mary (song)"Mary, Mary" is a song written by Michael Nesmith. It was first recorded by The Butterfield Blues Band for their 1966 album, East-West. The Monkees, featuring Nesmith, would later record the song themselves...
" – 3:12 (produced by Rick RubinRick RubinFrederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
)- Interpolations: "Mary, MaryMary, Mary (song)"Mary, Mary" is a song written by Michael Nesmith. It was first recorded by The Butterfield Blues Band for their 1966 album, East-West. The Monkees, featuring Nesmith, would later record the song themselves...
" by the MonkeesThe MonkeesThe Monkees are an American pop rock group. Assembled in Los Angeles in 1966 by Robert "Bob" Rafelson and Bert Schneider for the American television series The Monkees, which aired from 1966 to 1968, the musical acting quartet was composed of Americans Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork,...
- Interpolations: "Mary, Mary
- "They Call Us Run-D.M.C." – 2:56
- "Beats To The Rhyme" – 2:43
- Samples: "NautilusNautilus (song)Nautilus is the sixth and final track, lasting 5 minutes and 8 seconds, on the 1974 album One by jazz musician Bob James.Nautilus is famous as being one of the most sampled songs in hip hop history...
" by Bob JamesBob James (musician)Robert McElhiney James is a jazz keyboardist, arranger and producer.-Biography:During the 1970s, Bob James played a major role in establishing the smooth jazz genre. "Angela", the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is probably Bob James' most well-known work to date... - Samples: "Rock Box","Sucker MC's","Hit It Run" and "Jam Master Jay" by Run DMC
- Samples: "Funky Drummer" and "Talkin' Loud & Sayin' Nothing" by James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
- Samples: "Cinderfella Dana Dane" by Dana DaneDana DaneDana McLeese, better known by his stage name Dana Dane, is an American hip hop recording artist known for performance of humorous lyrics and for his fashion sense.-Early life:...
- Samples: "Big Menu" by Sam KinisonSam KinisonSamuel Burl "Sam" Kinison was an American stand-up comedian and actor. Kinison was known for his intense, harsh and politically incorrect genre humor...
- Samples: "Dance to the Drummer's Beat" by Herman Kelly & Life
- Samples: "AJ Scratch" by Kurtis BlowKurtis BlowKurt Walker , better known by his stage name Kurtis Blow, is an American rapper and record producer. He is one of the first commercially successful rappers and the first to sign with a major record label...
- Samples: "It's My Thing" by Marva WhitneyMarva WhitneyMarva Whitney is an African American funk singer. She is considered by many funk enthusiasts to be one of the "rawest" and "brassiest" music divas....
- Samples: "Yo! Bum Rush The Show" by Public Enemy
- Samples: "Nautilus
- "Radio Station" – 2:50
- "Papa Crazy" – 4:18
- "Tougher Than Leather" – 4:20
- "I'm Not Going Out Like ThatI'm Not Going Out Like That"I'm Not Going Out Like That" was the first single released from Run-D.M.C.'s fourth album Tougher Than Leather. It was released in 1988 by Profile Records and produced by Davy D...
" – 4:55 - "How'd Ya Do It Dee" – 3:20
- "Miss Elaine" – 3:05
- "Soul To Rock And Roll" – 2:17
- "Ragtime" – 2:42
Deluxe Edition bonus tracks
- "Beats To The Rhyme" (Previously Unreleased Instrumental) - 2:44
- "Crack" (Previously Unreleased) - 1:43
- "Christmas In Hollis" - 2:58
- "Penthouse Ad" - 0:58
Popular culture
- Director Kevin SmithKevin SmithKevin Patrick Smith is an American screenwriter, actor, film producer, and director, as well as a popular comic book writer, author, comedian/raconteur, and internet radio personality best recognized by viewers as Silent Bob...
used the title track from "Tougher Than Leather" in his film Jay And Silent Bob Strike BackJay and Silent Bob Strike BackJay and Silent Bob Strike Back is a 2001 American action adventure comedy film written, directed by, and starring Kevin Smith as Silent Bob, the fifth to be set in his View Askewniverse, a growing collection of characters and settings that developed out of his cult favorite Clerks...
, and "Run's House" in the film Chasing AmyChasing AmyChasing Amy is a 1997 romantic comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith. The central tension revolves around sexuality, sexual history, and evolving friendships. It is the third film in Smith's View Askewniverse series....
. Additionally, the chorus of "Run's House" is sung by Matt DamonMatt DamonMatthew Paige "Matt" Damon is an American actor, screenwriter, and philanthropist whose career was launched following the success of the film Good Will Hunting , from a screenplay he co-wrote with friend Ben Affleck...
's character, Loki, in the film DogmaDogma (film)Dogma is a 1999 American adventure fantasy comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith, who also stars in the film along with an ensemble cast that includes Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Linda Fiorentino, Alan Rickman, Bud Cort, Salma Hayek, Chris Rock, Jason Lee, George Carlin, Janeane Garofalo,...
. - The track "Run's House" was later used as the opening theme of Reverend Run's reality television show, Run's HouseRun's HouseRun's House was an MTV reality series. It showed the family life of rapper and hip-hop music pioneer Joseph Simmons, also known as Rev Run....
. - The cover artwork of "Tougher Than Leather" was re-worked for KoolismKoolismKoolism is an Australian hip hop duo originating from Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.The members are lyricist Hau Latukefu and producer/DJ/musician Danielsan Ichiban .-History:Koolism started out in 1992 when Elleson joined a group by the name...
's 4th album, New Old GroundNew Old GroundNew Old Ground is the third studio album by Australian hip hop act Koolism, released in February 2006 by Invada Records. DJ Danielsan reflects that the album was "about returning to the original raw elements that Koolism was built on and paying homage to the music that inspired us, while still...
.
External links
- Review of video, Video Review, Jan. 1989
- Tougher Than Leather (film) at the Internet Movie Database