| "Iron Man" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Sir Mix-a-Lot featuring Metal Church | |
| from the album Swass | |
| Released | 1988 |
| Recorded | 1988 |
| Studio | Lawson, Seattle, Washington |
| Genre | Rap metal |
| Length | 4:20 |
| Label | Nastymix |
| Songwriters | |
| Producer | Sir Mix-a-Lot |
"Iron Man" is a song by American rapper Sir Mix-a-Lot featuring the heavy metal band Metal Church. It appears on Sir Mix-a-Lot's debut studio album Swass (1988) and was released as a single in 1988. The track reworks Black Sabbath's 1970 riff and chorus with newly written rap verses and live metal instrumentation.
Sir Mix-a-Lot recorded "Swass" in Seattle. For "Iron Man," he collaborated with local metal musicians credited as Metal Church to supply guitar, bass, and drums behind his rap verses. Contemporary industry reports document the single's promotion in 1988. [1] [2]
"Iron Man" features a direct interpolation of the main riff and chorus from Black Sabbath's 1970 song " Iron Man ", written by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward. Sir Mix-a-Lot recontextualizes the metal instrumentation with his rap verses, blending the heavy riff with hip-hop rhythms. Retrospective reviews highlight the track as an early example of rap-metal fusion that pays homage to classic heavy metal while innovating within hip-hop. [3] [4]
CMJ New Music Report praised the track as "a bold fusion of rap and metal that stretches genre boundaries." [1] Cash Box highlighted its appeal across formats: "Mix-A-Lot's 'Iron Man' successfully blends rap verses with heavy riffs, making it stand out on both urban and rock playlists." [5]
BlabberMouth reported that in a 2003 interview, Sir Mix-a-Lot said, "In retrospect, I really don't like that song... It was an obvious attempt at trying to capitalize on what Run-DMC was doing." [6]
Rolling Stone included it in a list of "10 Classic Covers of Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne," noting its "unique blend of rap and metal elements." [7]
Albumism described the track as "pure rap-fueled heat," showcasing Mix-a-Lot's rugged lyrical style. [3]
Magnet Magazine noted that the track "cemented Sir Mix-a-Lot's playful approach to merging metal and rap in the late 1980s." [8]
RapReviews described the album track as "a creative fusion that helped define the Seattle rap scene of the late 1980s." [4]
The single was promoted to radio and shops in 1988; trade notices and station reports show adds and writeups in mid-1988. [1] [5]
| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot Rap Songs [9] | 17 |
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Track listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | 1988 | 12" single | Nastymix | A. "Iron Man" (Album Version) – 4:20 B. "Iron Man" (12" Remix) – 5:10 C. "Iron Man" (Instrumental) – 4:18 |
| Format | Label | Year | Track listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7" single | Nastymix | 1988 | A. "Iron Man" (Album Version) – 4:20 B. "Iron Man" (Instrumental) – 4:18 |
| Format | Label | Year | Track listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12" single | Nastymix | 1988 | A. "Iron Man" (Album Version) – 4:20 B. "Iron Man" (12" Remix) – 5:10 C. "Iron Man" (Instrumental) – 4:18 |
| Format | Label | Year | Track listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12" promo | Nastymix | 1988 | A1. "Iron Man" (Album Version) – 4:20 A2. "Iron Man" (Radio Edit) – 3:45 B1. "Iron Man" (12" Remix) – 5:10 B2. "Iron Man" (Instrumental) – 4:18 |