(Upon reading the title, somebody’s uncle’s head just exploded. Sorry about the carpet, ma’am.)
1. Of the four rappers in this discussion — Run, DMC, Pimp C, and Bun-B — the dopest emcee is Bun. He could cover more ground than either of the boys from Queens, rap with as much force as power as Run, and had a better knack for depth and political commentary. Ask yourself — what could Run and DMC do that Bun couldn’t? Then flip that around. Hard to say Bun can’t do more.
2. UGK stuck around way, way, way longer than Run-DMC. Think about it…Tougher Than Leather came out the same year as UGK’s first tape, The Southern Way (’88). By ’93, Run-DMC was gone. In 2009, UGK dropped a record as good as anything they’ve ever done…and it’s posthumous (for Pimp C) banger #2. They’ve stuck around long enough to rap with two generations of emcees that were influenced by them. In rap, that’s astounding.
3. Pimp C, the musical genius. Run-DMC’s best work was done with Rick Rubin. Pimp C was his own Rick Rubin, with a particular gift for music theory and working with live instruments. And he sang lots of his own hooks.
4. UGK’s music was more evocative. Tell me the Run-DMC song that resonates emotionally like “Hi Life.” And that’s just the one I picked.
5. UGK’s got a stronger catalog. Run-DMC’s got two records even Run-DMC fans don’t want to listen to again (Back from Hell and Crown Royal), and one they were pretty disappointed with (Tougher Than Leather). There’s not a wack UGK record. There’s not even a bad UGK record. And each of their seven albums is distinct from the others? Game — blouses.
6. UGK did this without the advantage of being in New York. If UGK is from New York, who would argue against them being automatic members of the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame? Put Run-DMC in Port Arthur…do they get as big as UGK has? Probably not.
7. UGK did this without the promotional push Run-DMC had. This is sorta corollary to the point about New York, but think about this — UGK’s first video, if I recall, was “Take It Off.” That’s, what, ’99? Or, put differently, 13 years after “Walk This Way?” Ridin’ Dirty going gold with neither a single nor a video is nearly as impressive as the success of Raising Hell. Not as impressive, mind you. But nearly.
Tell me what you think. I leave you with a link to what might be the two best rap groups ever, with DJ Paul and Juicy J on the track. I’m using the Sims version because you can’t embed the real one. Best I could do.
22 thoughts on “7 Reasons UGK is Better than Run-DMC”
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My initial thought: Is Bomani insane?
My thought after reading: Wow…he’s right.
Lets see…comparing UGK to Run DMC is like comparing Bentleys to Yugo’s…there’s not a real comparison…we can say they lasted longer, but who knew the staying power of this music when Run DMC came out…and comparing catalogs is senseless, cause production from the 80’s to 90’s was stepped up with the invention of the MIDI concept…hell, i still use a MPC 2000 because of the sound…that wasn’t available to Run DMC, nor was Pro Tools, Reason, AutoTune…none of that…so while I will say UGK is a great group (I still remember Summer football camp at Lane College with all my H-Town cats, bumping screw and listen to that “1 day your here, the next day you’re gone” screwed between practices…), I won’t say that outshine Run DMC because of what Run DMC means to the music…
You didn’t even go for the kill shot: “Big Pimpin'” is better than “Walk This Way.”
Game, set, match. UGK.
What will really make people heads spin is the possibility that three of the best five rappers of all-time are from the South.
Very true brotha….
What will really make people heads spin is the possibility that three of the best five rappers of all-time are from the South.
You’re stopping at three? List ’em.
Andre, Bun, and Weezy (maybe Scarface?) is what I think you’re angling at, but I would not be stunned in the slightest to be hearing Clifford Harris’ name come up in these discussions soon.
Here’s the real debate: UGK or OutKast?
if we’re talking southern emcees let’s not forget the always underrated big boi. andre gets the most love but daddy fat sacks always brings it
if you’ve got an mpc, why couldn’t run-dmc get one? i don’t understand.
put this another way — the kingz put out more good music, and for TWICE as long.
disagree? fine.
senseless? fuckouttayere.
Bo,
I follow your logic, but can’t co-sign. I just can’t, not because I disagree necessarily, but because Run DMC truly means that much to me (on a purely emotional level). One of my favorite songs of all time, any genre, is Peter Piper. Again, purely an emotional response. When I read the title, my head didn’t explode, but my heart did stop, and is inexplicably racing as I type this. Nostalgia is a bitch. Song for song though, you are definitely on to something. Damn, you!
Explosive argument indeed! I, for one shall not dare venture into such tumultuous territory. Best of luck on this one Bo’, but you’re on your own!
Twitter = Srongforu
You right, fo’ sho.
2 things I would like to add:
1) even though UGK is tighter, you had to have cats like Run DMC to pave the way
2) so many wannabe UGK rappers have set the game back
also the UGK vs Outkast … Outkast in game 7
I thought the same as Omagus when I first read the title. “Bo has officially lost his mind.” But, after reading it, he makes a valid argument. One to which I have no comeback. Well Done Bo.
“What will really make people heads spin is the possibility that three of the best five rappers of all-time are from the South.”
Let’s not get carried away. How in the world you consider Lil Wayne and give Scarface a maybe is beyond me. Scarface would rip Lil Wayne and I’d still be pressed to call him top 5 of all time. Andre…ok. Bun, no.
I’m from Texas and I’m qualified to talk about this shit. Peace.
And I’m old!
HEEEEEEELLLLLLL to the NAW. Bro
first you got a few years off on run-dmc. first dropped in 83 they were done with hits by 93. That’s 10 YEARS..run-dmc was the road map and template that UGK was able to follow..you might be able to make a case for them being better..but there IS NO WAY that UGK had the influence that run-dmc had on hip hop…UGK influenced the south run-dmc influenced THE WORLD…the industry took hip hop seriously because of run dmc..they made a rap catagory at the grammmies because of run dmc..run dmc made the bar that UGK had to jump both groups have lost members so are basically done with new recording..when you compare career to career there really is no comparision..really you should have wrote “7 reasons I really like UGK More than Run DMC”
@7 Mile: Not to sound brash, but when did being “first” equate to being “better”? Pave the way all you want, doesn’t mean you’re gonna be the best. I don’t think UGK would’ve been any worse off with Run DMC.
As far as Southern MCs being top 5, Bun can speak to that: “I’m a tell you like this: f**k you dog, this the south nigga we been, gonna be here, and we ain’t goin no mutha f**kin where
Take it how you like it, hate it or love it ho.”
With respect to your right to an opinion, you are waaaay off. Your facts are twisted and your comparisons are lame.
UGK’s first video was definitely NOT in ’99. Their first video was “Use Me” which I believe was in what, ’92? Even if you didn’t see that one, they also had one for “Supposed To Bubble” that got a nice amount of play on Rap City, if nowhere else.
Run-DMC actually wasn’t “gone” by ’93… they actually did what was considered to be a comeback in ’93, after their previous album had tanked. They came out with “Down With The King” which was both a gold album AND single, and even joined Dre, Snoop, Onyx, The Geto Boys on The Chronic Tour. And this was after being declared all-but-done just a year or two prior.
Your #6 point fails as well… because it’s really not an area thing as much as it is an era thing. Run-DMC gets in the Hall of Fame because of their ACCOMPLISHMENTS, which no one else in hip-hop had done at the time. Whether or not they were from NY or not is irrelevant. It’s kinda hard to argue with a group that had hip-hop’s first gold album, first platinum album, first MULTI-platinum album, first video to air on MTV, first stadium-level tour, etc., etc. What exactly was a “first” that UGK accomplished?
It’s not an issue as to whether or not you like UGK more than you do Run-DMC… that’s your right. But if you’re gonna make statements like the ones you’re making, at least have things in perspective and have your “facts” correct.
-D!
MY question is….Is everyone commenting on this under the 30 yrs old? UGK is alright. But who’s gonna remember them in 10,15 yrs…nobody. ALL OF THESE CATS SOUND ALIKE. And I’m gone….
you do realize ugk made records for about 20 years, right, phiferdogg? people still bump what they did 15 years ago. have you heard ridin dirty? are YOU under 30?
Hmm… Interesting.
I admit to not really being well-versed in UGK.
I know a few tracks and have checked them out on mixtapes, but I don’t *know* them like I know some other artists.
That said, Bomani is a rabble-rouse and has interesting ideas, so I’ma go and trap me summa they tracks to judge for myself.
Thanks for the push.
I wholeheartedly agree Bomani. As a native Louisianan I feel all of your points with particular agreement for the prowess of Young Pimp Steak and Shrimp, AKA Tony Snow. However I can’t agree with Number 4. As much as I love hi-life, Fight the Power may be one of the best most emotion stirring song ever in hip hop…EVER. That being said UGK is still my favorite group ever but Outkast probably the best ever because of their wider appeal. Props to 8 ball and MJG, Wu Tang, Goodie Mob, Blackstar, Da Clique as well as great rap groups.
What am I missing? Why is this even an argument? There would be no UGK without Run-DMC. Two totally different eras of rap. This like like comparing Jay-Z to Kurtis Blow.