Tougher Than Leather

by Run-D.M.C.

Overview

At the end of 1986, Raising Hell was rap's best-selling album up to that point, though it would soon be outsold by the Beastie Boys' Licensed to Ill. Profile Records hoped that Run-D.M.C.'s fourth album, Tougher Than Leather, would exceed the Beastie Boys' quintuple-platinum status, but unfortunately, the group's popularity had decreased by 1988. One of Run-D.M.C.'s strong points -- its love of rock & roll -- was also its undoing in hip-hop circles. Any type of crossover success tends to be viewed suspiciously in the hood, and hardcore hip-hoppers weren't overly receptive to "Miss Elaine," "Papa Crazy," "Mary, Mary," and other rap-rock delights found on the album. Thanks largely to rock fans, this album did go platinum for sales exceeding one million copies -- which ironically, Profile considered a disappointment. But the fact is that while Tougher Than Leather isn't quite as strong as Run-D.M.C.'s first three albums, it was one of 1988's best rap releases. ~ Alex Henderson

Product Details

Release Date:	08/04/2017
Label:	Arista / Legacy
UPC:	0889854382513

Tracks

1. Run's House
2. Mary, Mary
3. They Call Us Run-D.M.C.
4. Beats to the Rhyme
5. Radio Station
6. Papa Crazy
7. Tougher Than Leather
8. I'm Not Going Out Like That
9. How'd Ya Do It Dee
10. Miss Elaine
11. Soul to Rock and Roll
12. Ragtime

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Run-D.M.C.   Primary Artist
Uptown Horns   Ensemble,Horn
Jon Sierra   Drums,Piano,Guitar
Daniel Shulman   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Davy D.   Guest Artist,Bass,Guitar
Bobby "Afro" Walker   Drums
Andreas Straub   Guitar
Vincent Hammond   Horn

Technical Credits

Rick Rubin   Audio Production,Mixing,Producer
Daryl Simmons   Group Member
Run-D.M.C.   Producer,Composer
Traditional   Composer
Steven Berkowitz   A&R
Angela Piva   Assistant Engineer
Steven Ett   Engineer
Jeremy Holiday   A&R
Greg Gordon   Assistant Engineer
Russell Simmons   Executive Producer
Jason Mizell   Composer,Group Member
David Reeves   Composer
Davy D.   Mixing,Producer,Original Recording Producer
Darryl McDaniels   Composer,Group Member
Joseph M. Palmaccio   Mastering
Joseph Simmons   Composer,Group Member
Chuck D   Liner Notes
Michael Nesmith   Composer
Willie Nelson   Composer
Glen E. Friedman   Photography
Darren Salmieri   Reissue Producer
Patti Matheny   A&R
Howard Fritzson   Art Direction
Noah Uman   Reissue Producer
R. Simmons   Composer
Mister T   Design
Barbara Milne   Engineer
Roey Shamir   Engineer
Josh Cheuse   Photography,Art Direction
Chuck Valle   Assistant Engineer
Triana DOrazio   Packaging Manager
Mandana Eidgah   Project Director
Liz Reilly   Photo Research
Dwayne Simon   Composer