Run D.M.C. have been making music for nearly twenty years. They brought elequence to a burgeoning artform, revolutionising rap with their sound and style. They introduced live instruments, and their ability to overlap and complete one another's lines has yet to be bettered.

Run D.M.C. were formed in 1982 from three friends who grew up in the middle-class New York borough of Hollis, Queens. Darryl McDaniels (D.M.C.) and schoolmate Joseph Simmons (known as DJ Running Things at local block parties, which came to be shortened to Run) were encouraged by Joe's brother Russell Simmons, co-founder of influential label Def Jam, to form a rap duo. They enlisted local DJ Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay) and in 1983 released the hugely influential single "It's Like That"/"Sucker M.C.'s". The B-side was heavily played, though the A-side has recently had it's day in the spotlight when remixed in 1998.

Their most famous song remains "Walk This Way", a joint effort with Aerosmith. This is where most people, including myself, heard them. It was a hit in the UK in 1986, and I've been a fan ever since.

Run D.M.C. are probably the most important rap group of all time. They were the first rap group to reach number one in the American R&B charts. They were the first to make the pop chart top ten, the first to go platinum, and the first, significantly, to be played on MTV. They were the first rap group to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone:

They were the first to receive corporate sponsorship (from Adidas). They advertise GAP:

They brought rap to the masses. They helped kick start the career of the Beastie Boys. They made movies:

(By the way, I now have a copy of Krush Groove, and it's entertainingly bad).

During the early nineties, when the public was less interested in their music, they suffered major personal problems, but returned in 1993 having reaffirmed their religious convictions (Joe has been ordained and is now known as Reverend Run). They are also part of the A Very Special Christmas organisation that raises money for the Special Olympics through CDs released every five years.

I first heard Run D.M.C. when I was 12, and right from the word go they appealed to me. I was one of those ridiculous B-Boys from the home counties, and I've been into rap ever since. I distinctly remember being laughed at for liking Rap over Heavy Metal. But now I've won. Wooohoooohooooohooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry.

They have released 7 albums: Run D.M.C., King Of Rock, Raisin' Hell, Tougher Than Leather, Back From Hell, Together Forever (their greatest hits), and Down With The King. They also appear on the soundtracks for Ghostbusters II, Judgement Night, and Beavis And Butthead. Plus the A Very Special Christmas albums, which I couldn't recommend more.

The new Run DMC album is FINALLY out. Go buy it.

There are very few Run D.M.C. sites out there. Someone seems to be making a proper site at Run-DMC.com, but until that surfaces, the best alternative is Run's House, which would get my wholehearted blessing but for the appalling rap on the opening page. There is also a semi-official site at Arista. If all else fails, I suggest you just go buy the music.

A nice gentleman called Thad, who runs Run's House, Emailed me a while ago. Which I have to say was somewhat embaressing, as I'd rather slagged off his rapping abilities above. Luckily, he didn't mind at all (plus he's replaced the rap with a genuine Run DMC lyric), so I must insist that you pay him a visit. He has all the Run DMC info you need, plus a whole host of Lyrics, and also, most impressively, a fine collection of MP3s, including some very rare stuff indeed. Go visit his site now.