Run-DMC

Run-DMC was an American hip hop group from Hollis, Queens, New York City, founded in 1981. The group is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture and one of the most famous hip hop acts of the 1980s. Run-DMC was composed of Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell. Simmons and McDaniels were the MCs (vocalists), with Mizell as the DJ.

Run-DMC is credited with breaking hip hop into the mainstream, achieving multi-platinum success and impacting popular culture. Their minimalist sound, characterized by stripped-down beats, aggressive rhymes, and a rock-influenced style, marked a significant departure from the funk and disco-influenced sound of earlier hip hop. Their signature look, consisting of Adidas sneakers, black leather jackets, and fedora hats, also became a defining style within hip hop culture.

Key achievements and contributions of Run-DMC include:

• First hip hop group to achieve gold record status: Their 1984 self-titled debut album.
• First hip hop group to achieve platinum and multi-platinum status: With albums like King of Rock (1985) and Raising Hell (1986).
• First hip hop act to have a music video played on MTV: "Rock Box" (1984).
• Pioneering use of sampling: Incorporating rock elements and other genres into their music.
• Crossing over into the rock audience: Collaborating with Aerosmith on "Walk This Way" (1986), a song that revitalized both groups' careers and helped bridge the gap between hip hop and rock music.

Run-DMC's influence extends to numerous artists and genres, shaping the landscape of popular music. Their impact is recognized through their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, making them only the second hip hop act to receive the honor. The group officially disbanded after the death of Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell) in 2002, although Simmons and McDaniels have occasionally performed separately.