Run DMC and Aerosmith - Walk This Way

About

"Walk This Way" is a seminal music collaboration between hip-hop group Run-DMC and rock band Aerosmith. Recorded in 1986, it marked a pivotal moment in music history by blending two distinct genres: hip-hop and rock. The collaboration was initiated by producer Rick Rubin, who aimed to bridge the gap between these styles. Run-DMC, consisting of Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell, were already making waves in the hip-hop scene, while Aerosmith, with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, were legends in rock music. Despite initial skepticism from both groups, the fusion proved incredibly successful. The song's impact was profound, catapulting Run-DMC into mainstream popularity and reviving Aerosmith's career. It became the first hip-hop single to reach the top five on the Billboard charts and was widely played on MTV. The accompanying music video, featuring both bands breaking down a wall, symbolized the unification of rock and hip-hop. "Walk This Way" not only changed the lives of the musicians involved but also influenced future genres by demonstrating the potential of genre-bending collaborations. It remains a cultural milestone, celebrated for its role in integrating hip-hop into mainstream American music.