Rock Box

Infobox Single
Name = Rock Box


Cover size =
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Caption =
Artist = Run-D.M.C.
Album = Run-D.M.C.
A-side =
B-side =
Released = 1984
Format = Cassette single
Recorded = 1984
Genre = Rap rock
Length = 5:33
Label = Def Jam
Writer = Darryl McDaniels Joseph Simmons Jason Mizell
Producer = Jam Master Jay Eddie Martinez Russell Simmons Larry Smith
Audio sample? =
Certification =
Last single = "Hard Times" (1984)
This single = "Rock Box" (1984)
Next single = "King of Rock" (1984)
Misc = "Rock Box" is a 1984 hit single by Run-D.M.C.. It is the fourth and final single and the longest track from their self-titled debut album, originally released through Def Jam Records, Inc. The heavy rock guitar riff and solos are original compositions performed by Eddie Martinez, also seen playing the electric guitar in the music video. DJ Jam-Master Jay programmed the song's hip-hop beat.

Music video

The video features a man at the beginning asking "What is rap music?" When the song starts the group is seen performing on stage at a party. The song itself doesn't start until the 1-minute-13-second marker.

The video then shows the members of Run-D.M.C. exiting a limo in front of a dance club. At different parts of the video a young boy can be seen following the members dancing along with people in the club. At the end of the video, still photographs are taken and freeze on the screen, with a camera shutter sound effect in the background, as the instrumental outro plays in the background.

The video, for the most part, is filmed in black and white, interspersed with a television showing dances in color. It is known to be the first hip-hop music video to air on MTV.

Other uses

The song was featured on the fictional pirate radio station Wildstyle on the "Vice City" chapter of the Grand Theft Auto series. Satirizing R&B's use of old rap beats, its instrumental was used Chris Rock's song "Champagne," and "Rock Box" was also used in an episode of "Everybody Hates Chris", in which the main character and his principal were snowed in at school.

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-hRqN0h9Y8 Link to video on YouTube]