April 8–15, 1999

music

The Once and Future Kings

Run and D.M.C. are still the Kings of Rock.

		Good To Be The Kings: McDaniel (DMC), Mizell (Jam Master Jay) and Simmons (Run).

by a.d. amorosi

These days, kids might know Run-D.M.C. more from their recent Gap commercial than from hits such as "King of Rock," "Walk this Way" or "Mary Mary." But they were the first hip-hop group to be on MTV; scored some of rap's earliest platinum records and brought sportswear merchandising to rap's table. (They also inspired this writer to buy his only pair of sneakers. A week after "My Adidas" hit the airwaves, I picked up a pair in white and orange.)

"We never knew about being the first MTV rap act because we didn't have MTV in Hollis, [Queens]," says Darryl McDaniel, a.k.a. D.M.C. He's on the phone from a hotel room near New York's LaGuardia Airport, waiting to catch a plane to New Orleans.

The middle-class neighborhood where McDaniel grew up was filled with hard-working families, drugs, crime, church and everything else you'd find in a big city. McDaniel credits that neighborhood diversity with their common sense.

"Having more than just poverty to look at taught us that going to school is cool. Compared to jail, yeah. Imagine sitting in school being mad at homework or sitting in prison all your life being mad—see you in class."

School, more specifically kindergarten, is where McDaniel met Joseph Simmons, better known as Run. ("That's why we never get mad at each other," says McDaniel. "I just look at Joe and think kindergarten.")

Their upbringing also gave Run-D.M.C. a distinctive style—an understanding of the 'hood as well as a sense of positivity.

"We wanted to represent from a human perspective," says McDaniel. "Not white, not black. We were Everyman in Adidas sneakers."

He also admits that many people forget the group, which also includes DJ Jam Master Jason Mizell, is still together since they aren't on the charts. Since their '93 born-again album Down with the King, they continue to tour, doing 15 to 20 shows a month, without a record or video. Though audiences often yell "Here come the old men" before they hit the stage, McDaniel, 35, wears his history with pride.

"Today everybody looks, sounds and acts and represents the same," he says. "The guys from [the group's new label] Arista said just the other day the good thing about Run-D.M.C. was that we never made a record to get a crowd. We never had to make anything to get [something] or appear as [something] or become [something]. We just were and are. That's why we last. We do that artform that was born before 'rap' was made, playing records live and boasting and toasting, no glitter, no playback, in basement parties and parks."

That's not to say Run and D.M.C. are the same kids they used to be. McDaniel is a husband and a father; Simmons is a minister. Don't be surprised, either, if you don't recognize McDaniel—he's dropped 100 pounds, gotten contacts and doesn't wear leather all the time.

Oh, and at the moment, McDaniel is writing songs, not just rhymes, but complete tunes.

"It's so exciting, I just do it all on tape, one take. I think my real desire now is to learn an instrument and to play what I'm hearing."

Though these songs won't make it onto Run-D.M.C.'s upcoming album Run-D.M.C. is Run-D.M.C. (due for summer release), he's enjoying the new medium of expression and cites influences such as the Beatles, Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones.

"They inspire me to be a better songwriter, to grow old within my music," he explains. "We want to last as long as they all do."

Run-D.M.C. will be appearing twice in the coming weeks: 103.9 Philly Jam III features Run-D.M.C., Mase's Harlem World, The Roots, Cam'Ron and Funkmaster Flex on Friday, April 9, 7:30 p.m. at the Electric Factory, 215-336-2000; University of Pennsylvania Spring Fling presents Run-D.M.C., Mighty Mighty Bosstones and D-Generation, Friday, April 16, 7 p.m., Hill Field, 34th & Walnut Sts., 215-898-3900.