When and where was Run-DMC formed?
Run-DMC was formed in 1983 in Hollis, Queens, New York City by Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell. All three members grew up in the same Hollis neighborhood.
Questions about Run-DMC
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What were Run-DMC's chart and certification firsts in hip-hop?
Run-DMC became the first hip-hop group to earn a Gold record with their 1984 debut album, the first to go platinum with King of Rock in 1985, and the first to achieve a multi-platinum record with Raising Hell in 1986. They were also the first hip-hop act to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone and the first to have a music video broadcast on MTV.
How did Run-DMC's collaboration with Aerosmith on Walk This Way happen?
Producer Rick Rubin felt that Raising Hell needed something to appeal to rock fans. The original plan was to rap over a sample of Aerosmith's song from their album Toys in the Attic, but Rubin and Jam Master Jay pushed for a full cover. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry came into the studio to contribute vocals and guitars, and the resulting single peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.
How much was Run-DMC's Adidas endorsement deal worth?
The single "My Adidas" led to a $1,600,000 endorsement deal with Adidas. This deal has been described as the beginning of what became known as hip-hop fashion.
Who killed Jam Master Jay and when was the case resolved?
Jam Master Jay was shot and killed on the 30th of October 2002 at his recording studio in Queens. The murder remained unsolved until August 2020, when Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. were arrested. They were convicted in February 2024. A third suspect, Jay Bryant, was charged in May 2023 and arranged for a separate trial.
When was Run-DMC inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Run-DMC was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on the 3rd of April 2009, becoming the second hip-hop act to receive the honor after Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, who were inducted in 2007. In 2016 the group also received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.