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 record producer
Years active	1983–present
Associated acts	Run-DMC Jackyl The Notorious B.I.G.

Darryl Matthews McDaniels (born May 31, 1964), better known by his stage name DMC, is an American rapper and record producer. He is a founding member of the famous hip hop group Run-DMC. McDaniels is known as one of the pioneers who helped make hip hop music popular around the world.

Early Life and Music

McDaniels grew up in the Hollis neighborhood of Queens, a part of New York City. He was adopted by the McDaniels family when he was a baby. As a kid, he went to Catholic school and later attended St. John's University in Queens.

McDaniels loved listening to rock music and folk music. He became interested in hip hop after hearing artists like Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. In 1978, he taught himself how to DJ in his parents' basement. He used turntables and a mixer that he and his brother bought after selling comic books. During this time, he used the stage name Grandmaster Get....

Career with Run-DMC

Becoming a Rapper

A year later, McDaniels' friend Joseph "Run" Simmons got his own DJ equipment. After another friend, Jam Master Jay, joined them, Run encouraged McDaniels to try rapping instead of DJing. McDaniels discovered he liked rapping more and changed his nickname from "Easy D" to "D.M.C." This name stood for "Devastating Mic Control" or "Darryl Mac," a childhood nickname.

Rise to Fame

In 1984, the group, now called Run-DMC, 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, making Run-DMC the most popular hip-hop group at the time.

In 1987, the group recorded the famous holiday song "Christmas in Hollis". The music video was filmed in their home neighborhood of Hollis, Queens, and DMC's mother even made an appearance.

Facing Challenges

McDaniels performing with his backing band in 2011

By 1997, McDaniels started facing personal challenges. He was unhappy with the constant touring and being away from his family. He also developed a vocal disorder called spasmodic dysphonia, which affected his voice. He believes it was caused by his powerful, aggressive rapping style over many years.

At the same time, he had creative disagreements with his bandmates. McDaniels was a fan of artists like The Beatles and Bob Dylan and wanted to make slower, softer music. However, Run wanted to stick with the group's famous hard rock sound. Because of these disagreements, McDaniels only appeared on three songs of their 2001 album, Crown Royal.

A New Direction

Finding Inspiration

Feeling down, McDaniels heard the song "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan on the radio. The song moved him so much that it inspired him to rethink his life. He has said that McLachlan's music helped him through a difficult time.

With a fresh outlook, McDaniels decided to write his life story. While researching his childhood, his mother, Bannah, told him he was adopted. He learned his birth mother's name was Bernada Lovelace and that he was born in Harlem, not Queens. This news inspired him to search for her. His journey was filmed for a VH1 documentary. His autobiography, King of Rock: Respect, Responsibility, and My Life with Run-DMC, was released in 2001.

Solo Career and Helping Others

In 2006, the documentary DMC: My Adoption Journey was released. It showed McDaniels reuniting with his birth mother, Berncenia. That same year, he released his first solo album, Checks ... and Rock N Roll. The first single, "Just Like Me," featured Sarah McLachlan.

McDaniels also became an advocate for adoptees' rights. He supported a law in New Jersey that helps adopted adults find their original birth certificates.

Ventures Outside of Music

Darryl Makes Comics

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 comic book company called Darryl Makes Comics. He has been a lifelong fan of comic books, especially Marvel Comics. He said, "Comics did for me what hip hop did for me as I got older; it empowered me, inspired me and educated me."

His first graphic novel, DMC, is set in 1985. In the story, McDaniels is a superhero who protects his city. The character wears DMC's signature fedora hat and Adidas sneakers. The book was a success and praised for its art and authentic feel of 1980s New York City.

Other Projects

McDaniels has appeared in video games like Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and in the documentary film The People Speak. He has also collaborated with many artists from different genres, including rock and heavy metal bands.

In 2021, he released a song called "Let's All Get the Vaccine" to support public health. In 2022, he published a children's picture book titled Darryl's Dream.

Charity Work

In 2006, McDaniels co-founded The Felix Organization with Sheila Jaffe, who was also adopted. The organization helps children in the foster care system. Its main program is Camp Felix, a summer camp in New York. For his work, McDaniels received an "Angels in Adoption" award from a congressional group.

Personal Life

McDaniels lives in New Jersey. He has been open about his personal struggles and has worked to help others by sharing his story.

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

With Fragile Mortals

• The Dark Project (2016)

Filmography

Film

TV

Video game appearances

See also

In Spanish: Darryl McDaniels para niños