The remix of "It's Like That" by Run-DMC and Jason Nevins blends hip-hop with dance and electronic elements. The song structure typically includes:
If you’re a DJ:
Raxon (sometimes credited as Raxon E.) is an Egyptian-born, Berlin-based DJ and producer known for his deep, hypnotic tech-house productions. With releases on labels like Kompakt, Diynamic, and his own imprint, Raxon has built a reputation for blending driving rhythms with atmospheric textures.
Unlike Jason Nevins’ big beat/breakbeat interpretation, Raxon’s style leans into: RUN DMC- Jason Nevins - It-s Like That -Raxon E...
Released in 1983, Run–D.M.C.’s “It’s Like That” was a stark, socially conscious rap track driven only by percussion and scratching—a stark contrast to the disco-infused hip-hop of the era. Fifteen years later, DJ and producer Jason Nevins stripped, looped, and rebuilt the acapella into a driving house/big beat hybrid. The resulting single, credited as “Run–D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins,” reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart (1998) and topped charts across Europe, reintroducing Run–D.M.C. to a new generation.
The Run–D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins remix of “It’s Like That” is more than a cash-in remix; it is a historically significant document of how hip-hop’s vocal delivery can be recontextualized within electronic dance music without losing its original message. It proved that golden-era rap could conquer the rave generation, paving the way for EDM’s eventual embrace of rap vocals. For instructors and students, the track offers a clear, accessible case study in remixology, tempo adaptation, and genre fusion.
Raxon (real name likely Raxon E. Mercado or simply a mononym) is a techno DJ/producer from the Dominican Republic, currently signed to labels like Drumcode (Adam Beyer’s label) and Terminal M (Monika Kruse’s label). He is known for driving, hypnotic techno with Latin percussion underpinnings. The remix of "It's Like That" by Run-DMC
His typical sound:
In the history of crossover hits, there are milestones, and then there are earthquakes. In 1997, a DJ from Long Island named Jason Nevins took a twelve-year-old acapella from the legendary hip-hop trio RUN DMC and laid it over a pounding, filtered, big-beat house track. The result, officially titled "It's Like That (RUN DMC vs. Jason Nevins)" , became a global phenomenon, topping charts from the UK to New Zealand.
But in the decades since, the digital underground has kept the track’s spirit alive. Search for "It's Like That" on niche DJ forums or streaming platforms today, and you’ll encounter a peculiar, shadowy suffix: "Raxon E..." Raxon (sometimes credited as Raxon E
Who is Raxon? Why is his name glued to the Jason Nevins remix? And how does this obscure edit fit into the 30-year legacy of what many call the greatest hip-house remix of all time?
This article dissects the DNA of the original, the genius of Jason Nevins, and the modern reinterpretations—specifically the elusive Raxon Edit—that keep RUN DMC’s message resonating on techno floors.