10 Best Hard Rock & Rap Cross-Over Songs
2. Walk This Way - Aerosmith/Run-DMC
In the early 80's, Aerosmith was dead in the water after the departure of Joe Perry. His signature groove was integral to the band's sound, and to continue on without him rubbed many fans the wrong way. Even when Perry returned, their followup Done With Mirrors left many fans cold and the band in limbo.
It would have taken a miracle to bring them back, but a few rappers from Hollis had other plans for one of the band's classic tracks. Originally using "Walk This Way" as a sample, producer Rick Rubin convinced Run-DMC to redo the song with Aerosmith. At first, the group was not on board, with DMC himself criticizing the lyrics for being too "hillbilly" for his taste.
Once all the musicians got into a room together though, the chemistry was undeniable. The initial funky riff of the original was fed through Jam Master Jay's turntables, with Perry and Steven Tyler providing new vocals and guitar fills to the new track. The video was also a first on MTV, with the band proudly displaying how two disparate genres can come together through the power of music. With this one track, Run-DMC were on their way to becoming hip hop superstars and Aerosmith were revitalized as they entered their second decade of rock and roll debauchery.