Surely You Can't Be Serious Podcast

Before hip-hop dominated the charts, Run-D.M.C. kicked down the door. With the help of visionary producer Rick Rubin, the trio created Raising Hell, a landmark album that blended rap and rock, broke barriers on MTV, and forever changed the sound of popular music.

Jason and Dee are joined once again by 80s rap expert and author David Wright (aka DefDave) for a track-by-track breakdown of this groundbreaking 1986 classic. From the history-making collaboration on "Walk This Way" to unforgettable tracks like "My Adidas," "Peter Piper," and "It's Tricky," the crew explores the stories, production, lyrics, and cultural impact behind every song.

How did Raising Hell help transform hip-hop from an emerging genre into a global phenomenon? Which tracks still hold up nearly 40 years later? And does this album deserve the title of the greatest rap record of the 1980s?

Lace up your Adidas, turn the volume up, and join us for an encore look at one of the most influential albums in music history.

Throw your hands in the air and get ready for a history lesson with a heavy beat! Jason and Dee are joined once again by 80s rap expert and author David Wright (aka DefDave) to trace the incredible rise of hip-hop—from its birth at a Bronx block party in 1973 to its explosion into the mainstream with Run-D.M.C. in 1986.

Discover the pioneers who laid the foundation, the DJs and MCs who transformed a local movement into a global phenomenon, and the cultural moments that forever changed popular music. Then, the spotlight turns to Run-D.M.C., the groundbreaking trio that shattered barriers, redefined what rap could be, and helped bring hip-hop to MTV, radio, and audiences around the world.

Packed with fascinating stories, music history, and plenty of laughs, this encore episode sets the stage for our deep dives into Licensed to Ill and Raising Hell. Whether you're a lifelong hip-hop fan or just discovering the genre's roots, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

In 1986, the Beastie Boys crashed onto the music scene with Licensed to Ill, a loud, hilarious, and groundbreaking album that helped take hip-hop from the streets to the suburbs—and straight onto MTV.

Jason and Dee are once again joined by 80s rap expert and author David Wright (aka DefDave) for a track-by-track deep dive into the Beastie Boys' iconic debut. Together, they unpack the stories behind every song, explore the band's unlikely rise from New York hardcore punks to rap superstars, and ask the big question: were the Beastie Boys just a party-fueled novelty act, or were they artists who changed music forever?

From "Rhymin & Stealin" to "Time to Get Ill," every track gets the Surely You Can't Be Serious treatment, complete with music history, behind-the-scenes stories, plenty of laughs, and more than a few 80s pop culture detours.

So dust off your VW emblem, grab a copy of Licensed to Ill, and... Hold it now, HIT IT!

The story of the Beastie Boys didn't begin with Licensed to Ill—it started years earlier in the New York punk scene before they became one of the most influential groups in hip-hop history.

In this special encore presentation from our 2021 four part series, Jason and Dee are joined by 80s rap expert and author David Wright (DefDave) for an in-depth look at the rise of the Beastie Boys. From hardcore punk hopefuls to global superstars, we trace the unlikely journey that led to the release of Licensed to Ill, the groundbreaking album that helped bring hip-hop into the mainstream alongside Run-D.M.C.'s Raising Hell.

Over the course of this series, we'll explore the band's incredible origin story, break down Licensed to Ill track by track, and examine how these landmark albums reshaped rap and popular music forever. Along the way, we'll tackle the ultimate question: which album stands as the defining hip-hop classic of 1986?

Whether you're hearing this series for the first time or revisiting it with us, this is one encore worth turning up.

For more from David Wright, visit galahadsdoom.com.

Break out the bell-bottoms and celebrate America's Bicentennial with Jason and Dee as they count down their Top 5 Songs of 1976—plus two honorable mentions! But there's a twist: the guys aren't giving away the answers right away. Instead, they drop clues, share stories, and challenge listeners to see if they can identify each song before the big reveal. From chart-topping classics to unforgettable favorites, it's a musical guessing game packed with nostalgia, laughs, and plenty of 1976 memories. Can you name the songs before Jason and Dee do? Tune in and join the Bicentennial fun on this all-new episode of the Surely You Can't Be Serious podcast!