Run’s House Lyrics

[Intro: Run & D.M.C.]
We have (“Say what?”) a whole lot of superstars on this stage here tonight, but I want y’all to know one thing, this is my house. And when I say who’s house, y’all know what time it is

[Chorus: Run & D.M.C.]
Whose house? (“Say what?”)
Run’s house


[Verse 1: Run]
Ah, once again my friend, not a trend for then
They said, rap was crap, but never had this band
Till the ruler came with a cooler name
Made ya dance and prance and drove the fans insane
Name is Run my son, number one for fun
Not a gun, that’s done, and get done by none
The other act, in fact, ya just wack I kill (Why?)
It’s fun, my son, and Run heads the bill

[Chorus: Run & D.M.C.]
Whose house? (“Say what?”)
Run’s house (“Say what?”)
Whose house? (“Say what?”)
Run’s house (“Say what?”)

[Post-Chorus: D.M.C.]
I’m in the house y’all
I’m in the house y’all
And this is how D.M.C. will turn it out y’all
I’m in the house y’all
I’m in the house y’all
And this is what D.M.C. be about y’all
[Verse 2: D.M.C.]
Well my name is DMC, the all-time great (great)
I bust the most rhymes in New York state (state)
Reporters clock (clock), producers jock (jock)
They want to be down with the ki-i-ing
The wanted man (man) from the wanted clan (clan)
Wanted by every fan (fan) across the land (land)
Not a G.A.N.G. off the street (street)
(R-U-N-D-M-C complete!)

[Chorus: Run & D.M.C.]
Whose house? (“Say what?”)
Run’s house (“Say what?”)
Whose house? (“Say what?”)
Run’s house (“Say what?”)

[Scratches: Jams Master Jay]
“Run—Run—Run-Run-Run—Run”
“Run—Run—Run-Run-Run”

[Interlude: D.M.C. & Slick Rick sample]
Get on the mic and (MC)

[Verse 3: Run]
Another time I take for the rhyme I make
Make me mad and sad, because the fad is fake
See I do this thing, so come pursue this king
One minor rhyme is all you just bring
Cause I’m the best I’m def, ask the rest they left
That’s my name, my game, and we don’t need the ref
So get the booze you lose and suckas close your mouth
I set a trap for rap thats crap, it’s Run’s house
[Chorus: Run & D.M.C.]
Whose house? (“Say what?”)
Run’s house (“Say what?”)
Whose house? (“Say what?”)
Run’s house (“Say what?”)

[Verse 4: D.M.C.]
Some underestimate and miscalculate
My intent to create what I call the great
Till I make a song (song) that I prove ‘em wrong (wrong)
See my song so strong it’ll make em come along (long)
Come in the door (door), get on the floor (floor)
Hard rock hard hitting hip hop hardcore (core)
Causing casualties and catastrophes
And tragedies for the suck emcees
Using strategies to get the best of me
You dirty rat emcees, whoever you may be
You need to go down south (south)
You need to shut your mouth (mouth)
It’s all about no doubt, just shout, cause we turn it out

[Chorus: Run & D.M.C.]
Whose house? (“Say what?”)
Run’s house (“Say what?”)
Whose house? (“Say what?”)
Run’s house (“Say what?”)
[Scratches: Jam Master Jay]
“Say what? Say what?”
“Say what? Say what?”
“Say what?”

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About

Genius Annotation

“Run’s House” is the opener and the second single off of Run-D.M.C.’s 1988 album Tougher Than Leather.

Contrary to what most hip-hop heads and the group themselves will tell you, this album wasn’t just about making something new for the listeners. It was about destroying the competition and making a statement: We’re the kings so you better understand that. During the year of 1987, the future of rap began to form as Eric B. & Rakim, Public Enemy, and Boogie Down Productions made their debuts, among others. During this time, Run-D.M.C. was in a messy court battle with their record label Profile. The Beastie Boys, who had unamicably left Dec Jam Records, left a major void for the golden boys from Hollis to fill. However, Profile trapped them in a ten-album deal, and the group spent the latter half of 1987 putting Tougher Than Leather on delay and fighting to come home to Def Jam. Meanwhile, the rap game was growing and the competition had a little something new to bring with each album.

“Run’s House” responded to critics and other rappers, as Run-D.M.C. wants you to take away something very important: No matter who is performing that night or wherever a concert is, the group takes themselves anywhere they go. So they head the bill at every show and in every city. And if Run-D.M.C. never existed, would rap even be a legitimate genre?

The sample-heavy album gets busy from the start, as “Run’s House” samples James Brown’s “Funky Drummer,” the Soul Searchers' “Ashley’s Roachclip,” and Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick’s “La Di Da Di.”

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Credits
Produced By
Mastered at
Mastering Engineer
Copyright ©
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Release Date
May 17, 1988
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