“It’s Tricky” is an iconic, high-octane 1986 rap-rock masterpiece that helped bring hip-hop music into the global mainstream. Built upon a brilliant, sped-up guitar sample from The Knack’s “My Sharona,” the track features a heavy, syncopated drum machine beat and sharp, rhythmic turntable scratches from Jam Master Jay. The raw, stripped-back production focuses completely on a driving, hard-hitting rock bounce that was engineered to rock both street corners and massive stadium crowds.

The lyrics serve as a boastful, fast-paced celebration of the art of rapping, while detailing the intense difficulty and skill required to maintain a successful hip-hop career without burning out. Rappers Run and D.M.C. trade rapid-fire, high-energy verses with their signature, shouting vocal delivery, turning the phrase “It’s tricky to rock a rhyme” into one of the most famous catchphrases in music history. The track’s infectious rhythm, sharp attitude, and playful music video made it a permanent pillar of golden-era hip-hop culture.