“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.”

“Radio Station” is the fifth track off of Run-D.M.C.’s classic 1988 album Tougher Than Leather.

This is one of the few songs that were recorded while the lawsuit with Profile Records was winding down. The group acknowledges their two-year absence from the hip-hop community and radio stations all across America, stating that they’re officially back and radio stations no longer have to worry about new Run-D.M.C. songs not being available for airplay. The group also makes it clear that they will not be forgotten as the kings in what could possibly be the greatest year in hip-hop history: 1988.

Around this time, Rakim had become a rap sensation for his new, innovative rhyming style and deadpan vocal tone. Run and DMC use some of his techniques extensively in “Radio Station,” as polysyllabic rhyming and internal rhyme are noticeable.

“Radio Station” samples Coke Escovedo’s “I Wouldn’t Change A Thing,” Gaz’s “Sing Sing,” and LL Cool J’s “Dear Yvette.”