The contribution of this group to the development of black music of the world is enormous and, of course, undeniable. Run DMC in today's time is rightfully considered the skirmisher of modern rap culture. In the eighties, it was the most famous of the existing hip-hop bands, which managed to direct the underwater flow of ghetto sounds into the mainstream movement. At the very beginning of 2004, the most authoritative music publication of the time Rolling Stone assigned them forty-eighth place in the ranking of the greatest performers of the twentieth century. Undoubtedly, this was a huge breakthrough, which was difficult to overestimate.
Group foundation
The trinity of the creators of the group met in the well-known rap fans Hollis. This area of New York was a relatively peaceful black commune of the city. The talented Joseph Simmons, as a teenager, thanks to his older brother Russell, received the long-awaited DJ position with the famous local rap artist Curtis Blow. Returning to Hollis, he constantly gave to listen to the recordings of his performances to his best friend Darryl McDaniels, whom he later even became addicted to rap.
The young musicians were regulars in hip-hop venues and soon met the famous Two-Fifths Park DJ Jason Mizell. A creative push followed very soon. The first brainchild of children was loud and vividly called ORANGE KRUSH.
After graduation, clearly and definitively defining his creative goals, the Hollis trio changed its name to Run DMC. The translation of the group’s name came down to adding the stage names of two leaders - Joseph Simmons (Dj Run) and Darryl McDaniels (DMC). Russell almost immediately took up the promotion of his brother’s young project.
Music career
The first single of the novice team, unfortunately, did not succeed. The relative popularity of Run DMC came to the musicians only at the end of 1983, thanks to the amazing track It's Like That. I must say, against the backdrop of the then rap music, this work really stood out. Than? First of all, the unusual aggressiveness of rhymes and bit minimization. By the way, the first album was released at the same time, entitled in honor of the name of the group.
The debut album was almost immediately recognized by the audience and became a hit, and today it is even considered a classic of the hip-hop genre. Next they released the next two singles, confirming the high class of the band Run DMC.
The albums of this rap team for the first time gained popularity among “white” listeners, which is very indicative. So the guys became pioneers of "black" music on MTV. Run DMC started using electric guitars in hip-hop music, which was a revolutionary approach for this genre.
In 1986, the group recorded together with Aerosmith the song Walk This Way, which almost instantly occupied the tops of most world charts. This composition has become a symbol of true creative brotherhood and tolerance, saying that there are no racial barriers in the cultural space.
Nineties
In the nineties, the activity of this group unexpectedly declined. Jason Mizel temporarily leaves the group and releases a solo album. McDaniels at this time suffers from alcoholism, and Simmons is accused of rape.
After three years of solo wanderings, Run DMCs nevertheless come together and record an album called Down With The King, in which Christian themes are raised. After the release of the last disc, the group again leaves the field of view of its fans and media radars, now for many years. Once again rumors flowed about their breakup.
Last years
In 2002, the group again unites and gives a tour in concert with Rick Rubin in the USA, and also participates in national rap concerts. At the end of October 2002, Jason Mizel was found dead in his own studio, with three sons left. Killers to this day are not installed.
Run DMC will forever go down in the history of world music as the main trendsetters of hip-hop culture.