"Hard Times" is a
rap
Rapping (also rhyming, spitting, emceeing or MCing) is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The ...
song written by Jimmy Bralower, J.B. Moore,
Russell Simmons
Russell Wendell Simmons (born October 4, 1957) is an American entrepreneur, writer and record executive. He co-founded the hip-hop label Def Jam Recordings, and created the clothing fashion lines Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and Tantris. Simmons' ...
,
Larry Smith and William Waring originally recorded by
Kurtis Blow for his 1980
eponymous debut album.
A 1983 cover by rap group
Run–D.M.C.
Run-DMC (also spelled Run-D.M.C.) was an American hip hop group from Hollis, Queens, New York City, founded in 1983 by Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell. Run-DMC is regarded as one of the most influential acts in the history of ...
was issued as their second single, and is the first track on their eponymous debut album ''
Run–D.M.C.
Run-DMC (also spelled Run-D.M.C.) was an American hip hop group from Hollis, Queens, New York City, founded in 1983 by Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell. Run-DMC is regarded as one of the most influential acts in the history of ...
''.
Track listing
; 12" Profile - PRO-7036 (US)
# "Hard Times" (D. McDaniels, J. Simmons, L. Smith, W. Warring) - 5:10
# "Jam-Master Jay" (D. McDaniels, J. Mitzell, J. Simmons, L. Smith, R. Simmons) - 3:21
# "Hard Times (Instrumental)" (D. McDaniels, J. Simmons, L. Smith, W. Warring) - 3:51
# "Jam-Master Jay (Instrumental)" (D. McDaniels, J. Mitzell, J. Simmons, L. Smith, R. Simmons) - 3:51
Chart positions
Notes:
*
1 - Charted with "Jam Master Jay"
References
1983 songs
1984 singles
Run-DMC songs
Songs written by Russell Simmons
Arista Records singles
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