Run DMC The Hip-Hopping trio from Queens, New York, were recently awarded a well deserved Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
The late Jason ‘Jam Master Jay’ Mizell, Joseph ‘Run’ Simmons and Darryl ‘D.M.C’ McDaniels are the first ever rap artists to be honoured.
Upon hearing the news, Reverened Run Twittered he was ‘shocked’, ‘grateful’ and ‘lost for words’. The trio burst onto the world stage in the 1980’s and spread Hip-Hop music, and the culture to a mass, tv watching audience with their Rock guitar infused tracks.
They also were fashionable iconics: from the Kangol bucket hat, Gazelle glasses, to their chunky gold chains. They inspired fans to dress like them.
However, they become famous for wearing the Adidas brand. In fact they had a track called ‘My Adidas’, which led to the Queens trio striking a deal with the German sportswear manufacturers!
After the sad passing of Jam Master Jay in 2002, Run and DMC have collaborated very little since then. It will never be the same without their iconic DJ.
In addition to Jay’s untimely death, DMC discovered he had the neurological disorder, spasmodic dysphonia: causing the involuntary spams of vocal chords.
Having said all that, the history books will always remember Run DMC as Hip-Hop pioneers, fashion trend setters and positive role models: the name Run DMC is not just about the music, it’s about a lot more!