Run-D.M.C. "Walk This Way"
In 1986, two seemingly incompatible genres—hip-hop and rock—crashed into each other with explosive results. The result was Run-D.M.C.’s version of “Walk This Way,” a groundbreaking collaboration with Aerosmith that shattered musical boundaries and launched a cultural revolution. Originally a 1975 hard rock hit by Aerosmith, this reinvention redefined what was possible in popular music.
Song Overview
Run-D.M.C.’s “Walk This Way” stays true to the structure of the original while boldly injecting hip-hop energy and attitude. Aerosmith’s Joe Perry and Steven Tyler both participated in the new recording, adding live guitar riffs and vocals. The dynamic back-and-forth between rap verses and rock hooks created a fusion unlike anything heard before, bringing hip-hop into the mainstream and bridging a cultural gap that had long separated genres and audiences.
Songwriting and Production
The songwriting credits for “Walk This Way” remain with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith. The 1986 version was produced by a young Rick Rubin, co-founder of Def Jam Recordings. Rubin had a vision of uniting rock and rap, and this collaboration became the blueprint for genre-crossing success in the years to follow.
Charts
Upon its release in 1986, “Walk This Way” climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Run-D.M.C.’s first Top 10 hit. The song played a key role in bringing hip-hop to a wider, crossover audience, including major rotation on MTV—at a time when Black artists were still struggling for visibility on the channel. It was a turning point not only for the group, but for the music industry as a whole.
Music Video
The iconic music video for “Walk This Way” features Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith performing on opposite sides of a wall, which they eventually break through to perform together. The imagery was powerful: a literal and symbolic breaking of barriers—between genres, cultures, and races. The video became a staple on MTV and a historic visual moment that showed the unifying potential of music.
Run-D.M.C.’s “Walk This Way” was more than just a cover—it was a cultural breakthrough. By bringing hip-hop and rock together on equal footing, the song created a blueprint for future collaborations and paved the way for the crossover-friendly landscape of today’s music scene. It remains a milestone in both hip-hop and rock history.