Prior to the Rick Rubin-produced "Walk This Way" remix featuring Run-DMC and Aerosmith, there was Larry Smith. The legendary producer was the mastermind behind the rap trio's first two groundbreaking albums, Run-DMC and King of Rock. Russell Simmons and Darryl McDaniels both took to Twitter to honor Smith, who died recently at the age of 63.
Rip to the greatest hip hop producer of all times.... Larry Smith. Produced my biggest and most significant hits..
— Rev Run (@RevRunWisdom) December 19, 2014
Rest In Beats larry Smith Music In Your Heart hip Hop Was Your Gift to The World! No one does it better! — Darryl McDaniels DMC (@THEKINGDMC) December 19, 2014
It was Smith's idea, Rolling Stone notes, to include guitarist Eddie Martinez on the first two DMC albums. The axeman shredded on singles like "Rock Box" and "King of Rock," setting the foundation for the genre bending that would spawn duets like Anthrax and Public Enemy.
Early in his career, Smith was a session musician -- a position that led him to Kurtis Blow. The pair collaborated on a few tunes like "Christmas Rappin'" and Blow's hit record, The Breaks. Smith also went on to work with Whodini, producing the trio's first two albums, Escape and Back in Black.
Combat Jack broke the news on Twitter yesterday (Dec. 19).
Just spoke to his family. RIP Larry Smith, the original King of Beats who passed away last night.
— Reggie Ossé (@Combat_Jack) December 19, 2014
