Tougher Than Leather

This article is about the Run-D.M.C. album. For the film, see Tougher Than Leather (film). For the Willie Nelson album, see Tougher Than Leather (Willie Nelson album).

Tougher Than Leather
Studio album by
Run-D.M.C.
ReleasedMay 17, 1988
Recorded1987–1988
StudioUnique Recording Studios, New York City[1]
Genre
Length40:26
Label
Producer
Run-D.M.C. chronology
Raising Hell
(1986) 		Tougher Than Leather
(1988) 		Back from Hell
(1990)
Singles from Tougher than Leather
  1. "I'm Not Going Out Like That"
    Released: January 24, 1988
  2. "Mary, Mary"
    Released: March 8, 1988
  3. "Run's House"
    Released: April 15, 1988
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Robert ChristgauB+[4]
Pitchfork Media6.4/10[5]
Rolling Stone[3]

Tougher Than Leather is the fourth studio album by American hip hop group Run-D.M.C., released on May 17, 1988, by Profile Records. The album was produced by the group members themselves, Davy D. and Rick Rubin.

While the new record did not maintain the same popularity as its predecessor, it obtained platinum status and spawned the favorites "Run's House" and "Mary, Mary". Despite being given a mixed reception at the time of its release, it is now hailed as a seminal classic in hip-hop and many see it as an underrated album.

Tougher Than Leather peaked at number 9 on the US Billboard 200, and number 2 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA on July 19, 1988.[6]

The album features three the Billboard singles: "Run's House", "Mary, Mary" and "I'm Not Going Out Like That". "Run's House" and "Mary, Mary" also hit the UK Singles Chart.[7]

The album was reissued by Arista Records in 1999 and 2003. An expanded and remastered edition was released in 2005 and contained 4 previously unreleased songs.[8]

  1. ^ https://www.facebook.com/UniqueRecordingStudios/photos/a.649655181769411/649657261769203/?type=3&theater [user-generated source]
  2. ^ Henderson, Alex. Tougher Than Leather at AllMusic. Retrieved 2011-06-28.
  3. ^ Rolling Stone 14 July 1988
  4. ^ Christgau, Robert. Run D.M.C.. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  5. ^ Pitchfork Media Run D.M.C. review
  6. ^ "American certifications – Run-D.M.C. – Tougher Than Leather". Recording Industry Association of America.
  7. ^ "Official Singles Chart - Run-D.M.C." officialcharts.com. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  8. ^ "Run-D.M.C. - Tougher Than Leather (2005 expanded deluxe edition)". discogs.com. Retrieved May 1, 2019.