Early hip-hop superstars Run DMC formed in 1983 in the Hollis neighborhood of Queens, New York, and are frequently credited with introducing rap to the mainstream. They were the first rap group to be nominated for a Grammy and to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine.
Run DMC was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 4, 2009.People: Metallica 'Psyched' for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction (April 4, 2009)
Fast Facts:
- Formed: 1983
- Studio Albums: 7
- Members: Joseph "Run" Simmons, Jam Master Jay, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels
- Only rap group to perform at 1985's Live Aid concert
- Hometown: Queens, New York
- First rap group to release gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums
- Often associated with the Adidas brand
- Jam Master Jay was murdered in 2002
- Will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009Billboard: Metallica, Run-D.M.C. Lead Rock Hall Inductees (January 14, 2009)
Formation
Run DMC, unlike predecessors such as Grandmaster Flash (for whom group member Run used to DJ), worked on constructing entire albums, rather than singles, and brought a more narrative, lyric-oriented and gritty sound to their music. They group formed at the insistence of Run's brother, Russell Simmons, who had founded the hip-hop label Def Jam with producer Rick Rubin. Run joined with friend Darryl McDaniels as "Run DMC," and later brought in friend Jam Master Jay to DJ for them.
Crossover
Their first single was the blunt, harsh "It's Like That"/"Sucker M.C.'s," on which, notably, they rap over one another and finish one another's lines. More singles followed, and the group began making a clear attempt to overcome the barrier between rock music and hip-hop. (Their second album was called King of Rock!)
"Walk This Way"
They succeeded with their third record, 1986's Raising Hell, which included a cover of the Aerosmith song "Walk This Way," featuring Aerosmith members Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. The song was the first of its kind - combining rock stars and rappers - and made Raising Hell the first rap album to reach #1 on the R&B; charts and to go platinum. The video also became the first rap song ever to air on MTV. Other singles from the album included "You Be Illin'" and "It's Tricky."
The group continued recording together and making albums until the shooting death of Jam Master Jay in 2002, after which the group announced their retirement.
