Run Dmc- Jason Nevins - It-s Like That -raxon E... -
Few tracks in music history have successfully bridged generational and genre divides quite like “It’s Like That” — originally by the legendary hip-hop group Run-DMC, later reimagined by Jason Nevins into a global dance phenomenon in the late 1990s, and now finding new life through the hands of modern electronic producers like Raxon (often stylized as Raxon E.).
This article explores the full arc of the track’s journey: from a stark, minimalist rap statement in 1983, to a big beat/club sensation in 1997, and finally to a 21st-century tech-house reinterpretation that keeps the spirit alive for a new generation.
Both Jason Nevins’ 1997 version and the Raxon edit walk a fine legal line. Nevins secured a deal after commercial success; Raxon’s edit exists almost certainly as an unauthorized bootleg. However, in the world of DJ culture, this is both a curse and a badge of honor.
This underground circulation keeps the track alive in a way that official streaming cannot. It becomes insider knowledge—a treasure.
The phrase “It’s like that, and that’s the way it is” functions almost like a mantra. It’s adaptable to any genre because it’s declarative, simple, and rhythmic. Whether spoken, shouted, or chopped into syllables, it retains its power.
For each section, analyze these four layers separately.
A. Rhythm & Groove
B. Bass & Low End
C. Harmony & Melody
D. Texture & Effects
Document findings per section (e.g., “Intro 0:00–0:32 — filtered vocal loop + high-pass sweep; kick enters at 0:16; tension built by rising white noise”).
More than 40 years after Run-DMC first declared “It’s like that,” the track continues to evolve. Jason Nevins turned it into a global dance anthem; Raxon (E.) strips it back into a hypnotic modern groove. Each version pays homage to the original’s core — that stark, unflinching observation of life.
Whether you discovered it in the 80s, on a 90s dancefloor, or in a dark Berlin club last weekend, “It’s Like That” remains one of the most resilient and remixable tracks in popular music. And as Raxon’s work shows, it’s far from its final form.
“It’s like that, and that’s the way it is.” — Some things never change.
Word count: ~1,350
Suggested image for article: Split graphic — left: Run-DMC in 1983, center: Jason Nevins DJing in the 90s, right: Raxon in a modern booth.
The Enduring Legacy of RUN DMC's "It's Like That" RUN DMC- Jason Nevins - It-s Like That -Raxon E...
In 1988, RUN DMC, a pioneering rap group from Hollis, Queens, teamed up with producer Jason Nevins to create a mashup that would become one of the most iconic songs of the late 1980s: "It's Like That (Raxon Edit)". The track combined RUN DMC's signature rap style with Nevins' innovative production techniques, resulting in a fusion of hip-hop, rock, and pop that captivated audiences worldwide.
The Original Song
The original "It's Like That" was released in 1983 on RUN DMC's self-titled debut album. The song's catchy hook and lyrics, which addressed the struggles of everyday life, resonated with listeners and helped establish the group as a force to be reckoned with in the hip-hop scene.
The Mashup
Fast-forward to 1988, when Jason Nevins, a rising star in the DJ and production scene, decided to create a mashup of RUN DMC's "It's Like That" and Raxon's 1984 hit "Mary Jane". Nevins' vision was to bring together the best elements of both tracks, blending RUN DMC's energetic rap style with Raxon's infectious hook. The result was a high-energy dance track that injected new life into both songs.
The Impact
The "It's Like That (Raxon Edit)" mashup became an instant hit, topping the charts in several countries, including the US, UK, and Australia. The song's innovative production and seamless blending of styles helped to introduce RUN DMC's music to a new generation of listeners, while also cementing Nevins' reputation as a talented producer.
Legacy
The influence of "It's Like That (Raxon Edit)" can still be felt today. The song has been widely sampled and referenced in popular culture, with artists such as Jay-Z and Kanye West citing it as an inspiration. The mashup also paved the way for future collaborations between artists from different genres, demonstrating the power of creative experimentation in music.
Key Facts
Conclusion
RUN DMC's "It's Like That (Raxon Edit)" is more than just a catchy song – it's a testament to the innovative spirit of hip-hop and the power of creative collaboration. The mashup's enduring legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists and producers, ensuring its place in music history as a groundbreaking and iconic track.
The track "It's Like That" represents two pivotal moments in music history: the birth of hardcore hip-hop in 1983 and its massive global resurgence through a dance remix in 1997. The Original Foundation (1983)
Originally released as Run-D.M.C.’s debut single, "It's Like That" was a groundbreaking social protest track. Produced by Russell Simmons and Larry Smith, it stripped away the light, funky disco sounds popular in early rap, replacing them with sparse, aggressive beats and gritty lyrics about unemployment and inflation. It became the first "hardcore" rap song and helped the group's debut album become the first rap record certified Gold by the RIAA. The Jason Nevins Global Sensation (1997)
In 1997, house DJ Jason Nevins remixed the track, infusing the old-school rap verses with an energetic electronic dance beat.
Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins: It's Like That (Music Video 1998) Few tracks in music history have successfully bridged
Raxon Edit of "It’s Like That" (Run-DMC vs. Jason Nevins) is a high-energy modern techno tool
that reinvents the 1997 classic with a darker, hypnotic aesthetic
. Unlike the house-heavy original, Raxon’s version focuses on driving percussion and "stripped-back" peak-time elements. Production Breakdown & Guide 1. Foundation: The Groove Typically sits between 128–130 BPM , common for peak-time techno sets. Replace the original house-style kick with a heavy, distorted techno kick
. Layer it with a "rumble" sub-bass to create a rolling low-end foundation. Percussion:
Use crisp, tight hi-hats and a rhythmic clap on the 2 and 4. Raxon often incorporates minimal but driving industrial-style percussion to maintain forward motion. SoundCloud 2. Vocal Processing
Sample the "It's Like That" and "Huh!" vocal snippets from the Jason Nevins version. Technique: high-pass filter
and heavy compression to make the vocals sit "on top" of the driving beat. Use rhythmic delay (dotted 1/8th or 1/4 notes) on specific phrases like "and that's the way it is" to create a hypnotic atmosphere. 3. Synthesizers & Stabs Use a dark, detuned minor-key synth stab (likely in
Apply a bit of half-note delay to these stabs to fill out the stereo field without cluttering the mix. 4. Structure & Arrangement
Start with 32–64 bars of pure percussion and the sub-rumble for easy DJ mixing.
Gradually introduce the filtered vocal and a rising "shutter" synth or noise sweep.
In this edit, the "drop" isn't a melodic explosion; it's a transition back into the heavy kick and the main vocal hook, focusing on impact and groove rather than melody. Key Resources Reference Track: You can listen to the full version on SoundCloud (Raxon Edit) Style Match:
For producers aiming for this sound, templates for "Modern Techno" or "Trance Techno" can provide the necessary processing chains. SoundCloud drum rack setups that match this dark techno style?
The Evolution of a Classic: From 1983 to the Raxon Edit The journey of "It's Like That" is a masterclass in how a single piece of music can bridge decades, genres, and cultures. What began as a socially conscious hip-hop anthem in 1983 became a global dance floor phenomenon in 1997, and now, in the hands of Egyptian-born, Barcelona-based producer Raxon, it has evolved into a modern techno weapon. The Foundation: Run-D.M.C.’s 1983 Breakthrough
Released on August 10, 1983, by Profile Records, the original "It's Like That" served as the debut single for Run-D.M.C.. It was a pivotal moment for "new school" hip-hop, stripping away the disco-inflected sounds of the era in favor of an abrasive, minimalist beat and lyrics focused on social protest, such as unemployment and inflation. This "hardcore" urban sound set the stage for their legendary career. The 1997 Renaissance: The Jason Nevins Remix
Nearly fifteen years later, American house DJ Jason Nevins transformed the track for a new generation. Released in late 1997, his remix fused the original’s iconic vocals with a crunching house beat.
The Raxon Edit of "It's Like That" (Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins) is a contemporary techno reimagining of the iconic 1997 remix. While the original Jason Nevins version transformed the 1983 hip-hop classic into a global "hip-house" anthem, Raxon's version adapts it for modern, underground dance floors. Key Features of the Raxon Edit Both Jason Nevins’ 1997 version and the Raxon
Hypnotic Techno Influence: Raxon, an Egyptian-born producer based in Barcelona, replaces the bouncy 90s house energy with a darker, more hypnotic techno groove.
Minimalist Soundscape: The edit emphasizes a driving bassline and atmospheric layers, stripping back some of the original's busier elements while keeping the legendary vocal hooks intact.
High-Profile Support: This specific edit gained significant traction in the club scene after being played by heavyweights like Sven Väth at major festivals such as Time Warp.
Availability: Unlike the commercial release of the Jason Nevins remix, the Raxon version is often shared as an unreleased "edit" or DJ tool, appearing on platforms like SoundCloud. Historical Context
Original (1983): Run DMC's debut single, known for its minimalist, "street-ready" sound.
Jason Nevins Remix (1997): A monumental hit that spent six weeks at #1 in the UK and famously broke the Spice Girls' streak of consecutive chart-toppers.
Impact: The Jason Nevins version is one of the best-selling singles of all time, selling roughly five million copies and bridging the gap between hip-hop and electronic music. Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins - It's Like That (Raxon Edit)
Title: The Blueprint of the 90s Club Crossover: Deconstructing Raxon’s Remix of RUN-DMC vs. Jason Nevins’ "It’s Like That"
The Context: The Song That Refused to Die To understand the weight of any remix of RUN-DMC and Jason Nevins’ "It’s Like That," one must look back at 1997. Originally a stark, minimalist hip-hop track produced by Rick Rubin in 1983, Jason Nevins transformed it into an explosive, guitar-driven big-beat anthem. The Nevins version didn't just top the UK Singles Chart for five weeks; it fundamentally broke down the walls between hip-hop, electronic dance music, and rock. It is one of the most recognizable crossover club records in history.
Approaching a track with that much legacy requires a specific kind of audacity. Enter Raxon.
The Raxon Approach: Stripping the Monument Where Jason Nevins took the original’s skeletal boom-bap and dressed it in stadium-rock aggression, Raxon’s approach is surgical. As a respected figure in the modern underground techno and melodic house scene (with releases on Afterlife, Toolroom, and Stereo Productions), Raxon understands that to make a classic work on a modern, sweat-drenched dancefloor, you don’t add to it—you excavate it.
Raxon strips away the ubiquitous, chunky breakbeats and the heavy rock guitars that defined the 90s version. Instead, he rebuilds the track using the toolkit of contemporary club music: crisp, rolling percussion; deep, pulsating sub-bass; and a meticulously controlled sense of space.
Anatomy of the Remix
Why It Works Remixing a track that everyone knows by heart is a double-edged sword. If it sounds too similar, it’s redundant; if it sounds too different, it alienates the audience. Raxon threads the needle perfectly. He creates a "secret weapon" for DJs—a track that takes a few seconds for the crowd to recognize before triggering massive nostalgia, yet delivered in a sonic language that fits seamlessly into a 2020s underground techno or house set.
The Verdict Raxon’s
The Jason Nevins remix is often cited as a landmark moment in the "Electronification" of Hip-Hop. It proved that rap vocals could be successfully integrated into high-tempo house music structures without alienating hip-hop fans. It introduced Run-D.M.C. to a generation too young to remember their 80s dominance, cementing their status as crossover legends.
The user query includes the fragment "Raxon E...", which likely refers to Raxon, a DJ and producer based in Barcelona (originally from Egypt), or a specific edit associated with him.
Connection: Raxon is a prominent figure in the modern techno and electronic scene (associated with labels like Diynamic and his own label, Raxon Music).
