You Be Illin'
Encyclopedia
"You Be Illin'" is the third single released by Run-D.M.C.
from their third album, Raising Hell. It was released in 1986 through Profile Records
as the follow-up to the rap and roll crossover hit, "Walk This Way
", and was produced by Run-D.M.C. The song performed well on the U.S. charts, peaking at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100
and number 12 on the Hot Black Singles
chart.
The term "be illin,'" more accurately "be illing," means "be uncool and unrelaxed," "be acting crazy," "be 'tripping' or 'bugging,'" or "be acting 'wack,'" according to the Urban Dictionary. The text describes some examples of being "illing" and chides the fictitious individual being addressed for them. Such examples include a man ordering a Big Mac
at a Kentucky Fried Chicken
restaurant, calling out "Touchdown
!" at an NBA
basketball
game featuring Dr. J
, repelling a woman at a party with his bad breath
, and being oblivious to the fact he is eating dog food
for dinner.
Run-D.M.C.
Run–D.M.C. was an American hip hop group from Hollis, in the Queens borough of New York City. Founded by Joseph "Run" Simmons, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, and Jason "Jam-Master Jay" Mizell, the group is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture.Run–D.M.C...
from their third album, Raising Hell. It was released in 1986 through Profile Records
Profile Records
Profile Records was a record label that specialized in many types of urban-oriented music, such as hip hop, active until 1996..- History :In 1980, at 23 years old, after working briefly for MCA, Cory Robbins was looking to start a record label. He invited his songwriter friend Steve Plotnicki to be...
as the follow-up to the rap and roll crossover hit, "Walk This Way
Walk This Way
"Walk This Way" is a song by American hard rock group Aerosmith. Written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, the song was originally released as the second single from the 1975 album Toys in the Attic. It peaked at Number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1977, part of a string of successful hit...
", and was produced by Run-D.M.C. The song performed well on the U.S. charts, peaking at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and number 12 on the Hot Black Singles
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart.
The term "be illin,'" more accurately "be illing," means "be uncool and unrelaxed," "be acting crazy," "be 'tripping' or 'bugging,'" or "be acting 'wack,'" according to the Urban Dictionary. The text describes some examples of being "illing" and chides the fictitious individual being addressed for them. Such examples include a man ordering a Big Mac
Big Mac
The Big Mac is a hamburger sold by McDonald's, an international fast food restaurant chain. It is one of the company's signature products...
at a Kentucky Fried Chicken
KFC
KFC, founded and also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a chain of fast food restaurants based in Louisville, Kentucky, in the United States. KFC has been a brand and operating segment, termed a concept of Yum! Brands since 1997 when that company was spun off from PepsiCo as Tricon Global...
restaurant, calling out "Touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
!" at an NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
game featuring Dr. J
Julius Erving
Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim....
, repelling a woman at a party with his bad breath
Halitosis
Halitosis is a term used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing. Halitosis is estimated to be the third most frequent reason for seeking dental aid, following tooth decay and periodontal disease.- General :...
, and being oblivious to the fact he is eating dog food
Dog food
Dog food refers to food specifically intended for consumption by dogs. Though technically omnivorous, dogs exhibit a natural carnivorous bias, have sharp, pointy teeth, and have short gastrointestinal tracts better suited for the consumption of meat...
for dinner.
Charts
Chart (1986) | Peak position |
---|---|
Billboard Hot 100 | 29 |
Billboard Hot Black Singles | 12 |
Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 44 |