On this day July 4, 1986, Walk This Way by Run DMC was rising on the Billboard Hot 100, eventually reaching number 4 in the United States. The groundbreaking single also hit number 1 in New Zealand, proving its global impact. A reimagining of Aerosmith's 1975 rock song, this version fused rap and rock in a way the music world had never seen before.
Run DMC teamed up with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry to create a track that would bridge genres, cultures, and generations. The collaboration not only brought Aerosmith back into the spotlight, but also brought hip hop to mainstream rock radio. The iconic music video, featuring both groups literally breaking down a wall between them, became one of the most memorable visuals of the decade.
Walk This Way helped open the door for hip hop to enter the pop and rock markets, and it remains one of the most important crossover songs in music history.
80s insight: Walk This Way was a bold moment in 1986 that showed how music could bring people together. It proved that hip hop had the power to break boundaries and reach massive new audiences.
Run DMC teamed up with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry to create a track that would bridge genres, cultures, and generations. The collaboration not only brought Aerosmith back into the spotlight, but also brought hip hop to mainstream rock radio. The iconic music video, featuring both groups literally breaking down a wall between them, became one of the most memorable visuals of the decade.
Walk This Way helped open the door for hip hop to enter the pop and rock markets, and it remains one of the most important crossover songs in music history.
80s insight: Walk This Way was a bold moment in 1986 that showed how music could bring people together. It proved that hip hop had the power to break boundaries and reach massive new audiences.
