Run DMC

Run-DMC was an American hip-hop group formed in Hollis, Queens, New York City, in 1983 by Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell. Widely recognized as pioneers of new-school hip-hop and key figures in the genre's golden age, Run-DMC redefined the relationship between MCs and DJs and brought hip-hop into mainstream culture. The group was among the first to reach major commercial success, earning the first Gold and Platinum records in hip-hop with albums like Run-DMC and King of Rock. Their 1986 album Raising Hell went multi-platinum and featured the iconic collaboration with Aerosmith on Walk This Way, helping bridge hip-hop and rock audiences. Run-DMC broke industry barriers as the first hip-hop act to appear on MTV, American Bandstand, and the cover of Rolling Stone, and to be nominated for a Grammy Award. Their influence earned them induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Rolling Stone, MTV, and VH1 have ranked them among the greatest artists in music history, and their legacy continues as essential figures in hip-hop’s development and global reach.