This track laid the foundation for what hip-hop would become. But it was a niche hit in the US. It would take a white DJ from Long Island to turn it into a European phenomenon.
Instead of relying on the bright, commercial synth leads of the late '90s house era, the Raxon treatment updates the track for today's underground sensibilities: The 1997 Jason Nevins Mix The Contemporary Raxon Edit ~130 BPM, breakbeat/house swing Faster, linear, hypnotic techno groove Bassline Bouncy, melodic synth bass Deep, rumbling, club-optimized low end Vocal Treatment Full verse delivery and structured choruses Looped, heavily filtered, rhythmic vocal chops Atmosphere Energetic, mainstream club energy Raw, late-night, warehouse aesthetic Deciphering the "RE-PACK" and Underground Distribution
Before the leather jackets, the gold chains, and the global stardom, three kids from Hollis, Queens, quietly changed music forever. When Run-DMC’s debut single “It’s Like That” was released in March 1983, it sounded unlike anything else on the radio. Backed by the equally legendary “Sucker M.C.’s,” the track introduced a raw new energy characterized by minimalist, beat-heavy production and socially conscious lyrics tackling unemployment, inflation, and survival in Reagan-era America. Critics have since recognized it as one of the first “hardcore” rap songs and a foundational record of the new school hip hop movement.
As electronic music trends evolved toward faster tempos and darker soundscapes, the 1997 vocal arrangement found a natural second home within underground techno. This is where Egyptian-born, Barcelona-based DJ and producer enters the equation. run dmc jason nevins its like that raxon e repack
Fourteen years later, American producer took the iconic vocal stems and completely reimagined them through the lens of European dance music. By overlaying the rap vocals onto a high-octane, 130 BPM house/breakbeat foundation—infamously dubbed the "Drop The Break" mix—Nevins achieved global crossover status.
: Where Nevins sought pop accessibility, Raxon emphasizes the rhythmic "hook" and the iconic vocal samples within a more brooding, warehouse-ready framework.
For electronic music DJs, producers, and crate-diggers tracking down this specific version, understanding the lineage of this track reveals why it remains such a coveted peak-time weapon. This track laid the foundation for what hip-hop would become
To understand the significance of this search term, you must first appreciate the raw power of the original track.
The version takes the infectious energy of the Nevins remix and polishes the edges. It strips away some of the dated 90s "fluff" to leave a lean, driving track that highlights the iconic "Huh!" grunts and the timeless "It's like that / and that's the way it is" hook. Why It Still Works in 2024
Run-DMC, comprising Joseph "Run" Simmons, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, and Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell, was one of the pioneering groups in hip-hop. Formed in 1983, they are best known for their self-titled debut album "Run-DMC" (1984), which is often credited as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. Their energetic live performances, unique blend of rap and rock, and distinctive style helped bring hip-hop from the underground to mainstream audiences. Instead of relying on the bright, commercial synth
: While the Nevins remix is a staple on Spotify , the Raxon Edit has largely circulated through SoundCloud and DJ sets, maintaining a sought-after underground status.
Fast-forward to 1997, when American producer Jason Nevins completely reimagined the track . Nevins took the unmistakable vocal delivery and laid it over an aggressive, high-energy house beat. The result was an explosive crossover single.
This enduring evolution from a socially charged rap record to a global house anthem, and finally to a niche techno edit, is a testament to the power and timelessness of the original vocal. It proves that a great song never truly ages; it simply changes its outfit for the next generation's dancefloor.