Run-DMC x Aerosmith: How “Walk This Way” Rewired Hip Hop

Run-DMC x Aerosmith changed the game. Tonight we unpack the true story behind “Walk This Way,” how MTV turned rap from underground to unavoidable, and why crossovers—from Fat Boys & Chubby Checker to Jay-Z & Linkin Park, Nelly & Tim McGraw, and Lil Nas X—keep reshaping the culture. Plus: BA’s Absolute Truth, a Lyrical Autopsy of “Peter Piper,” our Top 5 Hip Hop Crossovers, and a quick rap news rundown.

Chop it up with the old heads in the barbershop—Grown Man Bars. Smash that like & subscribe so we can hit that 1K! 💈🎤

⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Cold Open & Banter (one-year of GMB)
03:10 Book It or Cook It: Did Run-DMC make rap mainstream?
12:40 The Making of “Walk This Way” (Rick Rubin, Tyler & Perry, studio story)
22:55 BA’s Absolute Truth: The Fat Boys’ underrated crossover impact
29:10 Other Classic Crossovers (PE x Anthrax, LL “I Need Love,” Beastie Boys, Jay-Z x Linkin Park)
38:25 Era vs Era: Pre-MTV underground vs Post-MTV brand power
46:40 Lyrical Autopsy: Run-DMC — “Peter Piper” (1986)
55:20 Top 5 Hip Hop Crossovers (our list & debate)
1:04:10 “What the F***” Segment: Pitchfork’s Top 100 takes
1:12:00 Quick News: Wu-Tang tour wrap, Nas & Dre event, headlines
1:16:30 Your Turn: Drop your Top 5 crossovers

🎯 What you’ll get
• The real origin of “Walk This Way” and why DMC almost said “nah”
• How MTV visual branding (Adidas, buckets, ropes) flipped rap’s trajectory
• Why some “pop” collabs actually protected the culture’s longevity
• Bar-for-bar breakdown of “Peter Piper” (recontextualization, chain rhymes, Jam Master Jay’s role)

🗣️ Join the debate
What’s the greatest crossover in hip hop history? Put your Top 5 in the comments (and bring receipts).