Down with the King (song)

"Down with the King"
Single by Run–D.M.C. featuring Pete Rock & CL Smooth
from the album Down with the King
B-side	Down with the King (Instrumental)
Released	March 2, 1993
Format	CD single and 12" single
Recorded	1992
Genre	Hip hop, new jack swing
Length	5:00
Label	Profile Records
Writer(s)	Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, Corey Penn, Peter Phillips, James Rado, Gerome Ragni, Galt MacDermot
Producer(s)	Pete Rock
Certification	Gold (RIAA)
Run–D.M.C. chronology "Ooh, Whatcha Gonna Do" (1993) "Down with the King" (1993) "Can I Get It, Yo" (1994)

"Down with the King" was the second and final single from Run–D.M.C.'s sixth studio album Down with the King. It featured Pete Rock & CL Smooth with Pete Rock producing the song.

After three unsuccessful singles from the group's previous album, "Down with the King" became Run-D.M.C.'s second-biggest hit after "Walk This Way", peaking at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming their only single to reach the top spot on Hot Rap Singles chart.

The music video, which was directed by Marcus Raboy, received heavy airplay and featured cameos from Eazy-E, Redman, Kris Kross, Jermaine Dupri, Onyx, Salt-n-Pepa, KRS-One, EPMD, A Tribe Called Quest, Kid Capri, Das EFX, P.M. Dawn and Naughty by Nature. The song contains samples of Galt MacDermot's "Where Do I Go" from the original Broadway cast recording of the rock musical Hair and Run–D.M.C.'s 1988 single "Run's House". Pete Rock and CL Smooth's verses contain reused lyrics from Run DMC's 1983 single "Sucker M.C.'s". "Down with the King" was certified Gold by the RIAA on May 11, 1993.

Single track listing

A-Side

1. "Down with the King"- 5:00

B-Side

1. "Down with the King" (Instrumental)- 5:18
2. "Down with the King" (Radio Version)- 4:15

Charts

Chart (1993)	Peak position
Billboard Hot 100	21
Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks	9
Billboard Hot Rap Singles	1
Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales	12
Billboard Rhythmic Top 40	33