Darryl McDaniels facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Darryl McDaniels
McDaniels in 2014
Background information
Birth name	Darryl Matthews McDaniels
Also known as	D.M.C. Easy D
Born	(1964-05-31) May 31, 1964 (age 61) New York City, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop old-school hip hop East Coast hip hop rap rock golden age hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper actor record producer
Years active	1983–present
Associated acts	Run-DMC Jackyl The Notorious B.I.G.

Darryl Matthews McDaniels (born May 31, 1964), known as DMC, is a famous American rapper, actor, and music producer. He helped start the legendary hip hop group Run-DMC. Many people see him as one of the first and most important figures in hip hop music and culture.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Darryl McDaniels grew up in Hollis, Queens, New York City. He was adopted by the McDaniels family when he was just one month old. They raised him as a Catholic. He went to St. Pascal Baylon Elementary School. Later, he attended Rice High School in Harlem, New York City. He also went to St. John's University in Queens.

When he was young, McDaniels enjoyed rock music and folk music. In the 1970s, he became interested in hip hop. He heard recordings by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. In 1978, McDaniels learned to DJ in his parents' basement. He used turntables and a mixer he bought with his older brother. They sold comic books to earn the money. During this time, he called himself Grandmaster Get High.

Forming Run-DMC

Later in 1978, McDaniels sold his DJ equipment. His friend Joseph "Run" Simmons got his own turntables and mixer. When Jam Master Jay joined their group, Run encouraged McDaniels to rap instead of DJ. McDaniels began to prefer rapping. He first used the nickname "Easy D".

In 1981, he changed his name to "DMcD". This was how he signed his schoolwork. Then he shortened it to "D.M.C." This new name stood for "Devastating Mic Control" or "Darryl Mac". "Darryl Mac" was his childhood nickname. It is mentioned in their song "King of Rock".

In 1984, the group released their first album, Run-D.M.C.. Their third album, Raising Hell, was a huge success. It reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart. It also hit No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. This made Run-D.M.C. the most popular hip-hop group at that time. In 1987, Run-D.M.C. wrote "Christmas in Hollis". This song was for the album A Very Special Christmas. The music video for "Christmas in Hollis" was filmed in Hollis, Queens. DMC's mother even appeared in the video.

Later Career and Discoveries

McDaniels performing with his backing band in 2011

In 1997, McDaniels started feeling very sad. He was unhappy with constant touring and being away from his family. He also noticed his voice was changing. Doctors later said he had spasmodic dysphonia. This is a voice problem that causes throat muscles to spasm. He thought it was from his powerful rapping style.

McDaniels also had different ideas for music than his bandmates. He liked artists like The Beatles and Bob Dylan. He wanted a softer sound for his voice. Run wanted to keep the hard rock sound Run-D.M.C. was known for. Because of these differences, McDaniels was on only three songs for their album Crown Royal (2001).

A song called "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan helped McDaniels feel better. It inspired him to think about his life and career. He says McLachlan and her album Surfacing saved him. With a new outlook, McDaniels decided to write his life story. While researching his early years, his mother, Bannah, told him a secret. Darryl had been adopted when he was three months old. His birth mother was named Bernada Lovelace. He also learned he was born in Harlem, Manhattan, not Hollis, Queens.

This news made him want to find his birth mother. He worked with the VH1 network on a documentary about his search. His autobiography, King of Rock: Respect, Responsibility, and My Life with Run-DMC, came out in January 2001.

In February 2006, VH1 showed the documentary, DMC: My Adoption Journey. The show ended with McDaniels meeting his birth mother, Berncenia. He thanked her for her choice. He said that if he hadn't been adopted, Run-D.M.C. would never have existed. In March 2006, McDaniels released his solo album, Checks Thugs and Rock N Roll. The first song, "Just Like Me", features Sarah McLachlan. She told McDaniels that she was also adopted.

McDaniels spoke to the New Jersey State Legislature. He supported a law to help adopted adults get their original birth certificates. This law was signed in 2017. Since he was born in New York, he hired a private investigator to find his birth family there.

Other Projects and Appearances

McDaniels is in the video game Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (2008). He sings Run-D.M.C.'s songs "King of Rock" and "Walk This Way". You can also unlock him as a guitarist in the game.

In 2009, McDaniels performed in The People Speak. This documentary film uses performances of letters and speeches from everyday Americans. It is based on historian Howard Zinn's book A People's History of the United States.

In 2011, McDaniels and producer Wade Martin started a record label called IME Records.

McDaniels signs copies of his comic book, DMC #1, at a November 6, 2014 appearance at Midtown Comics in Manhattan.

In 2014, McDaniels started his own comics company, Darryl Makes Comics. Their first book is DMC. It is a 90-page graphic novel set in 1985. In the comic, McDaniels is a superhero. He wears his famous Adidas sneakers, fedora hat, and rope chain. The comic was written by McDaniels and Damion Scott. Different artists drew each chapter. This was to show how different people might see DMC. The book also features graffiti art by artists like MARE 139. This makes the 1985 New York City scenes look real.

In January 2015, McDaniels worked with the band Generation Kill. Their project was called DMC Generation Kill. It was produced by former Guns N' Roses guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal.

On December 17, 2016, DMC made a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live. He was part of a funny version of Run-DMC's "Christmas in Hollis."

On February 17, 2016, the heavy metal band Solus Deus released their EP The Plague. DMC sang on the song "Anacrime."

Since 2017, DMC has joined the rock cover supergroup Royal Machines as a guest. He performs songs like "Walk This Way" and "Sweet Emotion" with them.

On September 15, 2017, Italian rapper Caparezza released his album Prisoner 709. It has a song called "Forever Jung" with DMC singing. American rapper DeLiverance's 2018 song "Slave To The Rhythm" also features DMC.

On August 13, 2018, DMC performed "Walk This Way" with the band O.A.R..

In February 2021, McDaniels released a song and animated video. It was called "Let's All Get the Vaccine." It encouraged people to get the COVID-19 vaccination.

In January 2022, McDaniels released his picture book, Darryl's Dream. It was published by Random House.

In January 2024, McDaniels launched his own cookie brand, DMC Cookies. In June 2024, he appeared in a music video. He played a music producer for Fantastic Cat's song "So Glad You Made It."

Charity Work

The Felix Organization In 2006, McDaniels and Sheila Jaffe started The Felix Organization. Sheila Jaffe is also adopted and an award-winning casting director. This organization helps children in the foster care system.

Since it began, The Felix Organization has helped over 10,000 children. Their main program is Camp Felix. This is a summer camp in Putnam Valley, New York. The organization also runs two teen camps on the East Coast. Camp Felix West helps youth in foster care in Los Angeles.

Other Charity Work In September 2006, McDaniels received an "Angels in Adoption" award. This was for his work with children in foster care. It also recognized his efforts to promote adoption. He is on the Board of Directors for Children's Rights. This group works to improve child welfare systems across the country.

Personal Life

McDaniels lives in Wayne, New Jersey. He has openly discussed his experiences with sadness. He has appeared on shows like Live From the Barrage to talk about it.

Discography

With Run-D.M.C.

Further information: Run-D.M.C. discography

• Run-D.M.C. (1984)
• King of Rock (1985)
• Raising Hell (1986)
• Tougher Than Leather (1988)
• Back from Hell (1990)
• Down with the King (1993)
• Crown Royal (2001)

Solo

• Checks Thugs and Rock n Roll (2006)
• Back from the Dead EP (2017)

With Fragile Mortals

• The Dark Project (2016)

Filmography

Television Appearances

Video Game Appearances

See also

In Spanish: Darryl McDaniels para niños