Too many people sleep on Tougher Than Leather, Run-DMC's fourth album. But hear us out as we plead the case for this amazing LP.
By 1988 there was a lot more competition in the rap game – Public Enemy, Boogie Down Productions, Eric B. & Rakim, Ice-T and many more had given Hollis, Queens' prodigal sons lots of competition. But Joe, Darryl and Jay were still at the top of their game, and hip-hop fans should never let this classic – chiefly produced by their Queens neighbor, DJ and multi-instrumentalist Davy D[MX] – get lost in their crates.
For starters, the album's first single, "Run's House" b/w "Beats To The Rhyme" is arguably the most powerful one-two punch of the trio's career, showing contenders to the rap throne that they could still destroy a beat, tag-teaming with power at any speed.
| A1 | Run's House | 3:49 |
| A2 | Mary, Mary | 3:12 |
| A3 | They Call Us Run-D.M.C. | 2:56 |
| A4 | Beats To The Rhyme | 2:43 |
| A5 | Radio Station | 2:50 |
| A6 | Papa Crazy | 4:18 |
| B1 | Tougher Than Leather | 4:20 |
| B2 | I'm Not Going Out Like That | 4:54 |
| B3 | How'd Ya Do It Dee | 3:20 |
| B4 | Miss Elaine | 3:05 |
| B5 | Soul To Rock And Roll | 2:17 |
| B6 | Ragtime | 2:42 |
