Run-DMC’s message remains timeless: “It’s like that, and that’s the way it is.” Jason Nevins proved that message could rule the dancefloor in the 90s. Now, Raxon E’s Repack proves it can still ignite warehouses, festivals, and afterparties today. It’s a masterclass in how to respectfully update a classic without erasing its identity.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5) – A must-have for tech-house DJs who love a recognizable vocal with a gritty, modern edge.
This guide covers the evolution and specific versioning of the electronic house anthem "It's Like That", originally by Run-D.M.C. and famously remixed by Jason Nevins , including the modern Raxon Edit. 1. The Core Track: Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins
The version most listeners are familiar with is the Jason Nevins remix released in 1997.
Original Source: The track was originally a 1983 social-protest rap song by Run-D.M.C..
The Remix Style: Jason Nevins transformed the "stark" hip-hop beat into a high-energy house track with a "sledgehammer beat" and catchy electronic hooks.
Commercial Impact: It topped charts in 12 countries and became one of the biggest-selling singles of all time, notably breaking the Spice Girls' streak of UK number ones. 2. The Modern Raxon Edit
(an Egyptian-born, Barcelona-based DJ and producer) created a popular modern "Edit" or "Repack" of the Jason Nevins remix.
The transition of Run-DMC’s "It’s Like That" from a gritty 1983 social commentary to Jason Nevins
’ 1997 chart-topping house anthem, and eventually into the contemporary "Raxon Edit" (often referred to as the Raxon E Repack in niche circles), represents a fascinating evolution of urban fatalism into global club escapism. 1. The Foundation: Urban Realism (1983)
The original track by Run-DMC was a landmark of "new-school" hip hop. Produced by Larry Smith, it featured a minimalist, abrasive sound driven by an Oberheim DMX synthesizer.
The Message: Lyrically, it addressed the harsh realities of Hollis, Queens—unemployment, rising prices, and death.
The Irony: The refrain, "It’s like that, and that’s the way it is," was a heavy-handed acknowledgement of systemic struggle, yet the song maintained a hopeful undercurrent, urging listeners to "abandon prejudice" and believe in themselves. 2. The Transformation: Global House (1997)
In 1997, house producer Jason Nevins reimagined the track for a new generation, creating a "sleeper hit" that eventually sold five million copies. run dmc jason nevins its like that raxon e repack
A Shift in Tone: Nevins replaced the stark, bunker-like beat of the original with a high-energy house rhythm. Critics noted that while this version made the song an international phenomenon—topping charts in 30 countries—it somewhat muffled the original MCs’ inflections and the grim "relish" of their storytelling.
Visual Impact: The accompanying music video, featuring male versus female breakdance crews in downtown LA, solidified the track's status as a cross-cultural bridge between old-school hip hop and modern dance culture. 3. The Re-interpretation: The Raxon Edit
The "Raxon Edit" (or Repack) brings the track into the modern techno and melodic house sphere. Raxon, an artist frequently associated with labels like Drumcode and Ellum, strips the song back down to its functional essentials for a dark, club-focused environment.
Atmospheric Tension: Where Nevins sought pop accessibility, Raxon emphasizes the rhythmic "hook" and the iconic vocal samples within a more brooding, warehouse-ready framework.
Contemporary Relevance: This version has seen "heavy rotation" from techno heavyweights like Adam Beyer and Maceo Plex, proving that the 1983 message of social fatalism still finds a home in the repetitive, hypnotic cycles of modern electronic music.
Ultimately, this lineage shows how a song about 1980s economic hardship survived by shedding its specificity for the sake of the beat. The "Raxon E Repack" is the latest chapter in that survival, turning a cry of social frustration into a tool for the dancefloor's collective trance.
Here’s a blog-style post based on your request:
Throwback: Run–DMC vs. Jason Nevins – "It's Like That" (Raxon E Repack)
Sometimes a classic doesn’t need a remake — it needs a reload. That’s exactly what the Raxon E Repack of Run–DMC and Jason Nevins’ legendary “It’s Like That” delivers.
Originally, Jason Nevins took Run–DMC’s 1983 B-side and turned it into a stadium-sized house anthem in 1997 — all pounding kicks, filtered loops, and that unforgettable “unh!”. Now, Raxon E steps in with a Repack that sharpens the edges for modern floors.
Think: tightened low-end, crisp percussion, and a structure that keeps the original tension while giving DJs room to breathe. The call-and-response (“It’s like that — that’s the way it is!”) still hits like a freight train, but the repack adds just enough groove to bridge golden-era hip hop and today’s tech house.
Why it works:
If you’re spinning breaks, electro, or peak-time house, this one’s a weapon. Raxon E didn’t reinvent the wheel — they just put new rubber on it. Throwback: Run–DMC vs
Rating: 🔥 8.5/10
For fans of: 90s house, breakbeat, Run–DMC reworks.
The Run-DMC vs. Jason Nevins remix of "It's Like That" remains one of the most transformative moments in music history, bridging the gap between old-school hip-hop and late-90s house music. Originally released in 1983 as Run-DMC’s debut single, the 1997 remix by DJ Jason Nevins turned a street anthem into a global club phenomenon that sold over five million copies. The Evolution of a Classic
The Original (1983): A stark, hard-hitting track that established Run-DMC as pioneers of the "new school" of hip-hop. The Nevins Remix (1997):
Jason Nevins replaced the original beat with a crunching, four-on-the-floor house rhythm, catapulting the track to #1 across Europe and the UK in 1998.
Raxon Edit (2024): Keeping the spirit alive for modern dance floors, artist
released an edit on SoundCloud that provides a stripped-back, techno-infused take on the iconic vocals. Who is Raxon?
Raxon is an Egyptian-born, Barcelona-based producer known for his precision-tooled techno. His recent work often focuses on darker, hypnotic soundscapes, as seen in his debut album Sound Of Mind on Kompakt and his 2024 album USWATT on DSK Records. Why This Repack Matters
The "Raxon E Repack" (often referred to as the Raxon Edit) highlights how the lyrics of "It's Like That"—which tackle themes of social struggle and self-reliance—remain relevant across generations and genres. By bringing a 1983 vocal into a 2024 techno framework, Raxon ensures that the "Devastating Mic Controllers" continue to influence the next wave of electronic music fans. Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins - It's Like That (Raxon Edit)
Stream Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins - It's Like That (Raxon Edit) by IDJunkie | Listen online for free on SoundCloud. SoundCloud·IDJunkie It's Like That - Run DMC Vs. Jason Nevins - Spotify
The evolution of Run-D.M.C.'s classic "It's Like That" represents a unique timeline in music history, spanning from the birth of hip-hop to the modern techno scene. The recent emergence of the Raxon Edit (often referred to in "repack" circles as the Raxon E version) marks the latest chapter for a track that has consistently redefined itself across decades. The Hip-Hop Blueprint (1983)
The journey began on March 12, 1983, with the release of the original "It's Like That" by Run-D.M.C.. Produced by Larry Smith and Russell Simmons, the song was a landmark debut for the trio from Hollis, Queens. Unlike the party-centric rap of the era, it offered a gritty, cynical look at societal struggles—unemployment, disillusionment, and the harsh realities of life. With its stark Oberheim DMX drum machine beat and aggressive, trading-off vocals, it became the foundation of "new school" hip-hop. The Global Dance Phenomenon (1997-1998)
In 1997, house producer Jason Nevins reimagined the track for a new generation. By fusing the original vocals with a relentless, high-energy house beat, Nevins created the definitive "hip-house" anthem.
Commercial Success: The remix was a massive sleeper hit, eventually selling over 5 million copies worldwide. If you’re spinning breaks, electro, or peak-time house,
Chart Dominance: It spent six weeks at #1 in the UK, famously keeping the Spice Girls' "Stop" from the top spot, and reached #1 in over 30 countries.
Cultural Impact: The music video, featuring a male vs. female breakdance battle in downtown Los Angeles, became an iconic visual for the late-90s dance scene. The Modern Resurgence: The Raxon E Edit
Fast forward to the 2020s, and the track has found its way into the crates of elite techno and progressive house DJs. The most prominent modern version is the Raxon Edit (frequently searched as "Raxon E").
The Artist: Raxon (Ahmed Dawoud), an Egyptian-born, Barcelona-based producer known for his deep, architectural techno sound on labels like Kompakt and Ellum Audio.
The Sound: Raxon’s "repack" or edit strips away the 90s house flair, replacing it with driving, atmospheric techno textures and a darker, "unreleased" club energy.
Availability: While the Nevins remix is a staple on Spotify, the Raxon Edit has largely circulated through SoundCloud and DJ sets, maintaining a sought-after underground status.
From the streets of 1980s New York to the global pop charts of the 90s and today’s premier techno stages, "It's Like That" remains a timeless testament to the power of a great vocal and a relentless beat. Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins: It's Like That - IMDb
Before diving into Raxon E’s version, it’s essential to understand the source material. The original It’s Like That (1983) was a stark, minimalist rap track produced by Larry Smith and Russell Simmons, with Run-DMC’s signature pounding drum machine and sparse lyrics about social struggle.
In 1997, American house producer Jason Nevins stripped the acapella, layered it over a thumping four-on-the-floor kick drum, a funky bassline, and a hypnotic synth loop. The result was a hip-house phenomenon. It topped the charts in over 10 countries (including #1 on the UK Singles Chart), sold over 1.5 million copies in the UK alone, and became a staple in clubs and sports arenas worldwide.
In the vast landscape of hip-hop and electronic music, few tracks serve as a perfect bridge between two eras quite like It's Like That. The original 1983 track by Run DMC was a minimalist, streetwise manifesto. But in 1997, producer Jason Nevins injected it with a high-octane, big-beat adrenaline shot, turning it into a global club anthem.
Fast forward to the 2020s, and the search term "Run DMC Jason Nevins Its Like That Raxon E Repack" has begun circulating in niche production forums, DJ pools, and sample-sharing communities. What does this "Repack" mean? Who is Raxon E? And why is a 25-year-old remix suddenly being repackaged for a new generation of producers?
This article dives deep into the history of the track, the genius of Jason Nevins, and the modern "repack" culture that keeps classic breakbeats alive.