gained massive traction after being championed by heavyweights like Maceo Plex Adam Beyer Sven Väth at major festivals.
This is the story of a song that has defied genre and generation. It started as a raw, minimalist statement of intent, became a record-breaking global phenomenon, and has now been re-imagined as a contemporary techno weapon. "It's Like That" remains a testament to the enduring power of a great idea, and its ability to be reborn and reinterpreted for a new generation of listeners.
that reinvents the 1997 classic with a darker, hypnotic aesthetic
record-breaking run of consecutive #1 hits. The music video, featuring a breakdancing battle between male and female crews in a warehouse, became an iconic visual of the late '90s. The Underground Revival: The Raxon Edit In recent years, Egyptian-born, Barcelona-based DJ
"It's Like That" was the debut single by the American hip-hop group Run-D.M.C., released in 1983 on their self-titled album. Produced by Larry Smith and Russell Simmons, the original track is considered a pioneering record of the "Old School" hip-hop era. It featured a minimalist, electronic soundscape (using an Oberheim DMX drum machine) and cynical lyrics reflecting the economic hardships of the early 1980s in the United States.
The of "It's Like That" (Run-DMC vs. Jason Nevins) is a notable techno re-imagining of the iconic 1997 remix. While frequently played in live sets by major DJs like Maceo Plex, it is widely regarded as an unreleased "white label" or private edit. Track Origins and Features
: Produced by Larry Smith, it featured a stark, abrasive, and minimalist beat that stood in sharp contrast to the disco-influenced rap of the late '70s.
By 1997, the original 1983 track was a celebrated classic, but it was largely confined to hip-hop nostalgia. Enter American DJ and producer Jason Nevins. Tasked with creating a remix for Profile Records, Nevins sped up the tempo, infused the track with an irresistible 4/4 house beat, and wove in bouncy synths.
To understand why the Raxon Edit hits so hard in modern DJ sets, it is essential to look at the historical layers built into its DNA. Artist / Producer Cultural Impact RUN DMC New School Hip-Hop
The represents a monumental, cross-generational bridge spanning early hip-hop foundation, late-90s house commercial domination, and modern underground techno. Initially conceived by Egyptian-born, Barcelona-based DJ and producer Raxon, this elusive edit has transformed from a private club weapon into a global dancefloor phenomenon. Championed by electronic music luminaries like Sven Väth and Maceo Plex, the track reimagines an iconic vocal through a driving, dark-melodic, and modern lens. The Evolution of a Dancefloor Weapon
Few tracks in dance music history carry the weight and crossover appeal of “It’s Like That” by RUN DMC, especially after Jason Nevins reimagined it for a new generation. But the story didn’t end in the late ’90s. Decades later, the record has found fresh life again, thanks to a brooding, hypnotic reinterpretation by Dubai‑based techno artist Raxon. In this deep‑dive article, we explore the full lineage of the track, the impact of the Jason Nevins remix, and how Raxon’s extended edit breathes contemporary club energy into a timeless hip‑hop classic.
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