Tougher Than Leather


Tougher Than Leather is the fourth studio album by hip hop group Run–D.M.C., released on May 17, 1988 by Profile Records. The album was produced by the group members themselves, Davy D. and Rick Rubin.
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". Despite being given a mixed reception at the time of its release, it is now hailed as a seminal classic in hip-hop and many see it as an underrated album.
Tougher Than Leather peaked at number 9 on the US Billboard 200, and number 2 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA on July 19, 1988.
The album features three the Billboard singles: "Run's House", "Mary, Mary" and "I'm Not Going Out Like That". "Run's House" and "Mary, Mary" also hit the UK Singles Chart.
The album was reissued by Arista Records in 1999 and 2003. An expanded and remastered edition was released in 2005 and contained 4 previously unreleased songs.

Background

The platinum-selling album, a follow-up to the group's big commercial breakthrough album 1986's Raising Hell, featured some of the group's classics like "Run's House", "Beats to the Rhyme", and a cover of The Monkees's "Mary, Mary". 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. The album was recorded at 5 studios in New York City: Chung King House Of Metal, Unique Recording Studios, Inc., Electric Lady Studios, Ian London Studios, Greene St. Recording.
In response to albums such as Eric B. & Rakim's Paid In Full, Public Enemy's It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back, and Boogie Down Productions' Criminal Minded and By All Means Necessary, the group made a distinct departure from their earlier work, as Jam-Master Jay used a heavier amount of sampling.
Run and DMC also made changes in their rapping style as techniques such as alliteration, polysyllabic rhyming, and internal rhyme are found in songs like "I'm Not Going Out Like That," "Radio Station", and the title track. The group also introduces storytelling to their arsenal in "Ragtime". Despite this, Run-D.M.C. does not abandon their formula of combining hip-hop beats with hard rock guitar riffs, using it in "Miss Elaine", the title track, "Soul To Rock And Roll", and "Mary, Mary".

Film

The album was accompanied by the release of a crime film of the same name by New Line Cinema with Rick Rubin as a director and starring Run-D.M.C. According to the plot Run-D.M.C. must find and punish the evil drug lord-record company executive who murdered their friend. Along the way, they encounter racist bikers, blonde bimbos, and the Beastie Boys. The film was released on VHS on September 16, 1988.

Track listing

The information about samples was taken from WhoSampled.
#TitleSamplesLength
1"Run's House"3:49
2"Mary, Mary"3:12
3"They Call Us Run-D.M.C."2:56
4"Beats To The Rhyme"2:43
5"Radio Station"2:50
6"Papa Crazy"
  • The Temptations - "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"
4:18
7"Tougher Than Leather"4:20
8"I'm Not Going Out Like That"4:55
9"How'd Ya Do It Dee"
  • The Meters - "Here Comes the Meter Man"
    		• 3:20
    10"Miss Elaine"3:05
    11"Soul To Rock And Roll"2:17
    12"Ragtime"2:42

    Deluxe edition bonus tracks

    The information about bonus tracks was taken from a booklet of 2005 expanded deluxe edition.
    #TitleDescriptionLength
    13"Beats To The Rhyme "2:44
    14"Crack "1:43
    15"Christmas In Hollis"2:58
    16"Penthouse Ad"0:58

    Charts

    Weekly charts

    Singles

    Notes: