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Run-D.M.C.
Run-D.M.C.

Origin

Queens, New York, U.S.

Genre

Hip hop, rap rock

Years active

1983-2002

Label

Profile, Arista/BMG

Associated acts

Beastie Boys, The Fat Boys, Kurtis Blow, Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons, Larry Smith

Past members

Run-D.M.C. was an American hip hop trio from Hollis, Queens, New York, founded in 1983 by Joseph "Run" Simmons, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, and Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell. The group is widely accepted as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop. Run-D.M.C. was one of the most well-known hip hop acts in the 1980s who, along with LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, and Public Enemy signified the advent of the new school of hip hop music. They were the first group in the genre to have a gold album (Run-D.M.C., 1984) and be nominated for a Grammy Award. They were the first to earn a platinum record (King of Rock, 1985), the first to earn a multi-platinum certification (Raising Hell, 1986), the first hip hop group played on MTV, the first to appear on American Bandstand and the cover of Rolling Stone. Run-D.M.C. was the only hip hop act to perform at Live Aid in 1985. The group broke up in 2002 after the murder of Jam Master Jay.

The group was among the first to highlight the importance of an MC and DJ relationship. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked them number 48 in their list of the greatest musical artists of all time. In 2009, rapper Eminem inducted them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In doing so, Run-D.M.C. became the second hip hop group in history to be inducted, after Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

Discography[]

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