Released in 1983, Run–D.M.C.’s “It’s Like That” was a stark, socially conscious rap track driven only by percussion and scratching—a stark contrast to the disco-infused hip-hop of the era. Fifteen years later, DJ and producer Jason Nevins stripped, looped, and rebuilt the acapella into a driving house/big beat hybrid. The resulting single, credited as “Run–D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins,” reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart (1998) and topped charts across Europe, reintroducing Run–D.M.C. to a new generation.
Released in 1983 on the label Profile Records, “It’s Like That” was Run-DMC’s debut single, backed with “Sucker MCs.” At the time, hip-hop was still largely associated with disco-influenced party rhymes and block-party beats. Run-DMC changed everything.
The original version, produced by Larry Smith and Russell Simmons, featured:
“Unemployment at a record high / People coming, people going, people born to die / Don’t ask me, because I’m just a guy / You see, it’s like that, and that’s the way it is.” RUN DMC- Jason Nevins - It-s Like That -Raxon E...
The track’s raw, almost confrontational tone was revolutionary. It wasn’t about dancing or boasting — it was about economic struggle, urban decay, and resilience. Alongside “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash, “It’s Like That” helped birth socially aware rap.
This report analyzes the 1997 global phenomenon "It's Like That" by Run-D.M.C., specifically focusing on the Jason Nevins remix that revitalized the track for a new generation. It further contextualizes the reference to "Raxon," acknowledging the track's continued relevance in modern electronic and techno circles. The report details the track's commercial impact, production style, and historical significance in bridging Old School Hip-Hop with mainstream House music.
| Element | Original (1983) | Nevins Remix (1998) | |---------|----------------|----------------------| | Tempo | ~95 bpm | ~128 bpm | | Drum pattern | Sparse, live-sounding rim shots + claps | Four-on-the-floor kick, layered snare, hi-hat rolls | | Bass | None (only low-end from drum hits) | Sub-bass drop + filtered synth bass | | Structure | Verse-chorus-verse, minimal breakdowns | Extended intro, breakdowns with filter sweeps, DJ-friendly loops | | Vocal use | Dry, center-panned | Doubled, delayed, with reverb drops | Released in 1983, Run–D
Nevins isolated the acapella of Run (Joseph Simmons) and D.M.C. (Darryl McDaniels), then built a loop around the iconic “It’s like that – and that’s the way it is” hook. The remix relies on tension-release dynamics typical of 1990s club music: a filtered intro, a sudden bass drop at 0:32, and breakdowns that strip to just percussion before re-introducing the full beat.
To understand the remix, we must first bow to the original. Released in 1983 on Profile Records, It's Like That was a minimalist revolution. Produced by Russell Simmons and Larry Smith, the track featured Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels trading stark, nihilistic bars over a sparse beatbox and a menacing, descending three-note bassline.
Key themes of the original:
It was not a party track. It was a mission statement. When RUN DMC performed it, they wore black leather and unlaced Adidas—ghetto armor. The track peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart but laid the foundation for the group's legendary 1984 album, Run-D.M.C..
But few could have predicted that 14 years later, a white house DJ would turn this sermon into the biggest dance record of 1998.