On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we look at the one and only kings of rock, the immortal Run-DMC. Composed of DJ Run (Joseph Simmons), DMC (Darryl McDaniels), Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizzel), this trio set the world of Hip Hop on fire and managed to take it from streets and dance clubs to the entire world. Without Run-DMC, Russel Simmons, and their unique take on style and marketing, the rap world would be an entirely different place.

The three of them met each other as teens in Hollis, Queens, New York. When Run was only 17, he worked with the legendary Kurtis Blow thanks to his promoter/producer brother Russel Simmons. Eventually, Run, DMC, and JMJ wanted to record together, but it took them some convincing to get Russel on board. He changed their name to Run-DMC, insisted they keep a street looking style, and the rest was rap history.

They started release hit after hit, becoming the first rap albums to make national attention and even get played on MTV. They had a lucrative deal with Adidas since that was their signature style. They were part of the recording and touring stable of Def Jam records along with LL Cool J, the Beastie Boys, and the Fat Boys. They starred in movies, rejuvenated the career of Aerosmith, and merged rock and rap in ways nobody had done sense.

So why did they break up? What made Run change his stage name? What helped cure DMC of his years long depression? Why did they team up with the unlikely Aerosmith? Why was Jam Master Jay Murdered? Did it have to do with a 50 Cent beef or a massive drug deal? Listen, laugh, learn.

 

Visit our Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Run-DMC

https://www.rundmc.com/

https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/run-d-m-c/

http://www.oldschoolhiphop.com/artists/emcees/rundmc.htm

https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6296910/how-run-dmc-changed-rap-game-in-1984

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102675250

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/02/aerosmith-run-dmc-and-story-behind-walk-way/582220/

https://www.npr.org/2020/08/17/903335189/two-men-charged-in-cold-case-murder-of-jam-master-jay

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam_Master_Jay

https://www.songfacts.com/facts/run-dmc