Why does this specific remix (and its "Raxon E" variants) still destroy clubs today?
The "Raxon E" edits typically push this into hard house or UK hardcore territory, raising the BPM from 128 to 140+, making it an ideal track for the final 30 minutes of a rave.
In the late 1990s, a seismic shift occurred on dancefloors worldwide. If you walked into a club between 1997 and 1999, you would have witnessed a strange, beautiful phenomenon: punks with spiked hair moshing next to househeads in designer jeans, all while a thumping bassline dropped over a scratchy, anti-drug rap verse.
The track responsible for this chaos goes by many names. To the uninitiated, it is simply “The ‘It’s Like That’ Remix.” To crate diggers and Beatport historians, it is the holy grail of the Big Beat era. But the search string that unlocks this specific corner of music history is: "Run DMC Jason Nevins Its Like That Raxon E."
Let’s break down why these four keywords—and that mysterious "Raxon E"—represent one of the most important crossover moments in hip-hop and electronic music.
"It's Like That" by Run–D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins is more than a remix—it is a bridge between the golden age of hip-hop and the peak of the big beat/club culture era. And while the spotlight rightly shines on Run, D.M.C., Jam Master Jay, and Jason Nevins, the story is incomplete without acknowledging Raxön Records. That small German label took a white-label whisper and turned it into a chart-topping roar, proving that sometimes, the underground isn't just the foundation—it's the engine of pop music itself.
If you're looking to purchase the original Raxön pressing, check Discogs or specialized vinyl auction sites. For the official release, the track appears on Run–D.M.C.'s Greatest Hits (1998) and countless electronic compilations.
The Evolution of a Classic: Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins (Raxon Edit)
Music history is often written in remixes, but few tracks have seen a transformation quite as dramatic as "It’s Like That." Originally released in 1983 as the debut single from
, it was a raw piece of social commentary that helped define the "new school" of hip-hop. Fast forward to 1997, and a house DJ named Jason Nevins
turned that gritty street anthem into a global dance floor phenomenon that sold five million copies and famously blocked the Spice Girls from the top of the charts.
Now, the track is entering a third era through a heavy-hitting edit by Egyptian-born, Barcelona-based techno powerhouse The Raxon Touch: A Modern Techno Reinvention While the 1997 Nevins remix was pure hip-house energy,
has stripped it back and infused it with his signature "precision-tooled" techno sound. This version, often referred to as the "It's Like That (Raxon Edit),"
has become a legendary "unreleased" weapon in the sets of top-tier DJs. Hypnotic Atmosphere
: Raxon replaces the 90s house chords with driving, sinister synths and a much darker, club-ready energy. Festival Pedigree : The edit gained massive traction after being played by Maceo Plex during iconic sets like Awakenings Festival 2023 Minimalist Power
: It retains the iconic "It's like that / And that's the way it is" vocal hook but places it over a gritty, rolling bassline that fits perfectly in a 2026 techno set.
dropping Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins - It's Like That (Raxon Edit) run dmc jason nevins its like that raxon e
’s edit of the legendary Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins collaboration takes the high-energy 1997 hip-house classic and strips it down for modern techno floors. While the original Jason Nevins remix was defined by its "pounding house" and "big-beat" energy, Raxon infuses his signature melodic techno and driving basslines into the production. The Sound: Deep, Hypnotic, and Modern
Raxon keeps the iconic "It’s Like That" vocal hooks but swaps the bright, 90s-style synths for a darker, more hypnotic atmosphere.
Bassline: He introduces a thick, driving low-end that is tailor-made for club systems, moving away from the more "eurodance" feel of the 90s version.
Energy: The edit maintains the "unrelenting forward motion" of the original but focuses on a "stripped-back" aesthetic.
Impact: High-profile DJs like Sven Väth have used the edit to "blow the roof off" festivals like Time Warp. Where to Listen
You can find various versions and playlists featuring the edit across several platforms:
SoundCloud: The full edit is available via IDJunkie on SoundCloud.
Live Sets: Raxon has shared clips of the edit being played "b2b" with Maceo Plex on Instagram.
Curated Playlists: The track is frequently featured in Techno Remixes of Popular Classics collections.
Overall, Raxon successfully bridges the gap between old-school braggadocio and modern club tools, proving the timelessness of the original 1983 Profile Records release.
Here are a few options for a social media post featuring the Raxon Edit of "It's Like That" by Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins . Option 1: Energetic Club/Hype Post
Perfect for DJs or electronic music fans sharing the latest dancefloor weapon. Headline: Retro energy meets modern techno. ⚡️
Body:Taking it back to 1997 with a lethal modern twist. Raxon just breathed new life into the iconic Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins classic "It's Like That." Those legendary vocals over hypnotic, heavy-hitting beats—this one is purely for the late-night sets. Artist: Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins Version: Raxon Edit Vibe: Peak-time techno / Hypnotic dancefloor hit
Hashtags: #RunDMC #Raxon #ItsLikeThat #TechnoRemix #ClubMusic #ElectronicMusic Option 2: Short & Punchy (Instagram/TikTok) Ideal for a quick video clip or story.
Caption:It’s like that, and that’s the way it is. 🗣️🔥 Raxon absolutely nailed this edit of the legendary Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins track. Guaranteed to set the floor on fire.
Listen to the Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins - It's Like That (Raxon Edit) on SoundCloud. Revived Run–D
Hashtags: #RaxonEdit #RunDMC #JasonNevins #Techno #HouseMusic #ClassicRemix Option 3: Music Discovery Post
Best for a blog, group, or curator focusing on the track's evolution. Headline: The Evolution of a Classic: "It's Like That" 🎶
Body:From the street-oriented 1983 original to the chart-topping 1997 Jason Nevins remix, "It's Like That" has always been a game-changer. Now, Raxon has stepped in with a modern edit that’s been doing serious damage in sets by Maceo Plex and more. It retains that iconic character while adding layers of hypnotic, driving production.
Check it out and let us know—original, 90s remix, or the Raxon edit? 💿
Hashtags: #MusicHistory #RunDMC #Raxon #RemixCulture #TechnoEdits #DJLife Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins - It's Like That (Raxon Edit)
Stream Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins - It's Like That (Raxon Edit) by IDJunkie | Listen online for free on SoundCloud. SoundCloud·IDJunkie
The remix was initially a club white label (an unmarked vinyl record). But word spread fast. In 1998, the track was officially released under the title It's Like That (Jason Nevins Remix). The results were astronomical:
For a generation of European kids, this was their first introduction to hip-hop. It bridged the gap between The Chemical Brothers’ Block Rockin’ Beats and The Beastie Boys’ Intergalactic.
Before understanding the remixes, you must understand the source.
Now, we arrive at the most confusing part of the keyword: "Raxon E."
You will not find "Raxon E" on the official liner notes of the 12" vinyl. So, who or what is Raxon E?
There are three prevailing theories among collectors:
Regardless of the origin, "Raxon E" has become a ghost term in the DJ community. If you find an MP3 labeled "Run DMC - Its Like That (Raxon E Remix)," you are likely listening to a high-energy, pitch-shifted, or slightly distorted version of the Jason Nevins remix that circulated on Soulseek in 2003. It is a digital artifact—a zombie keyword kept alive by nostalgia.
The evolution of "It's Like That" represents one of the most fascinating cross-generational journeys in electronic and hip-hop history. Originally a 1983 social commentary by Run-D.M.C., the track became a global dance phenomenon through Jason Nevins in 1997, and has recently been reimagined as a high-impact techno tool by the Barcelona-based producer Raxon. The 1983 Blueprint: Run-D.M.C.’s Street Realism
The journey began on August 10, 1983, when Run-D.M.C. released "It's Like That" as their debut single. Produced by Russell Simmons and Larry Smith, the track was a revolutionary departure from the disco-heavy rap of the late '70s. It introduced a "new school" aesthetic:
Minimalist Sound: Stripped-back beats and hard drum machine patterns. Why does this specific remix (and its "Raxon
Social Message: Lyrical themes focused on unemployment, inflation, and urban struggle.
The "Versus" Hook: The back-and-forth lyrical delivery between Run and DMC set the template for future hip-hop duos. The 1997 Explosion: Jason Nevins’ Dancefloor Revolution
Fourteen years later, the track underwent a radical transformation. American DJ Jason Nevins took the original vocal stems and fused them with a high-energy house beat. Released in October 1997, the "Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins" version became an international juggernaut:
Commercial Success: It topped the charts in over 30 countries, including a six-week run at #1 in the UK.
Cultural Crossover: The remix bridged the gap between hip-hop and the burgeoning European house scene, famously accompanied by a breakdance-battle music video that defined the era's aesthetic. The Modern Rebirth: The Raxon Edit
As the sound of the dancefloor shifted toward harder, more emotive techno, the track found a new champion in Raxon. Born in Egypt and now a staple of the Barcelona scene with releases on Kompakt and Ellum, Raxon’s "Edit" has become a staple of modern techno sets.
Sonic Profile: Raxon strips away the bright house piano of the Nevins era, replacing it with driving, hypnotic beats and a dark, "architectural" synth line.
Club Impact: Often played as an unreleased "secret weapon," this version preserves the iconic vocal hook while framing it within a 130+ BPM techno structure suitable for late-night warehouse sets.
Availability: While it has circulated as a highly sought-after ID, unofficial streams and edits on platforms like SoundCloud have kept the hype alive among the underground community. Legacy of a Classic
The longevity of "It's Like That" proves that a great vocal and a simple, honest message—"and that's the way it is"—can thrive in any decade. Whether through the lens of 80s street rap, 90s house, or 2020s techno, the track remains a foundational pillar of modern music culture.
The track you're looking for is the Raxon Edit of the legendary 1997 remix "It's Like That" Run-DMC vs. Jason Nevins While the original Jason Nevins remix
was a global house hit in the late '90s, Raxon’s version is a modern, hypnotic techno reinterpretation that has gained massive traction in the underground club scene. Key Details about the Raxon Edit: It is largely known as an unreleased "white label" or "ID"
track, though it has been widely shared and streamed on platforms like SoundCloud High-Profile Support: The edit has been a staple in sets by major techno figures. Sven Väth famously played it during his Time Warp Germany set in April 2024. Live Performances:
Raxon himself has showcased the edit during live performances, including a notable b2b set with Maceo Plex Futur Festival
It retains the iconic vocal hooks and synth stabs of the Nevins version but layers them over a driving, modern techno groove. Further Exploration Watch a live clip of the track being played at Time Warp on
Check out the track's reception and modern techno context in this article on Techno Remixes of Popular Classics Listen to the full unreleased version on SoundCloud or a specific where this track was played?