50 Plus Hub
Engraved portrait of Run-DMC
Music · 1980s

Run-DMC

In memoriam 1983–2002
Run, DMC, and Jam Master Jaymembers
First rap gold (1984) and platinum (1985) albumsfirsts
'Walk This Way' bridged rock and hip-hopcrossover
Inducted 2009rock_hall
Jam Master Jay killed October 30, 2002tragedy
The Turning Point

Formed in Hollis, Queens in 1983, Run-DMC stripped hip-hop down to hard beats and rhymes and dressed it in street style. Their 1986 rock-rap fusion 'Walk This Way' with Aerosmith crashed the pop Top 5 and carried rap into the mainstream and onto MTV.

Hollis Originators

Joseph Simmons (Run), Darryl McDaniels (DMC), and Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay) formed Run-DMC in Queens in 1983. Their stripped-down beats and rhymes redefined hip-hop.

Mainstream Breakthrough

1986's Raising Hell and the Aerosmith team-up 'Walk This Way' pushed rap into the pop Top 5 and onto MTV. They scored rap's first gold and platinum albums.

Tragedy and Tribute

DJ Jam Master Jay was murdered in his Queens studio in 2002, a loss that shook hip-hop. Run-DMC was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.

Career Timeline

  1. 1983Run-DMC forms in Hollis, Queens, New York
  2. 1983Debut single 'It's Like That' released
  3. 1984Self-titled debut becomes rap's first gold album
  4. 1985King of Rock becomes rap's first platinum album
  5. 1986Raising Hell and 'Walk This Way' break through
  6. 1986First rap act on the cover of Rolling Stone
  7. 1988'Run's House' keeps them at hip-hop's forefront
  8. 2002Jam Master Jay murdered in his Queens studio
  9. 2009Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Biggest Hits

1986
Walk This WayAerosmith collaboration that hit US No. 4
1986
It's TrickyPlayful Raising Hell single and staple
1986
My AdidasSneaker anthem that sparked a brand deal
1985
King of RockTitle track of rap's first platinum LP
1983
It's Like ThatDebut single that defined their sound
1988
Run's HouseLate-'80s declaration of dominance
Did You Know
  • Their sneaker anthem 'My Adidas' led to a landmark endorsement deal, among the first between a music act and a major athletic brand.
  • DJ Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell, 1965-2002) was fatally shot in his Queens studio, a case that remained in the courts for over two decades.

Portrait: Jeff Pinilla · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

← All star bios