Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels

Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, an American rapper and founding member of the influential hip-hop group Run-DMC, has made significant contributions to the music industry. McDaniels, who grew up in the New York City neighborhood of Hollis, Queens, first developed an interest in hip-hop in the 1970s, teaching himself to DJ and eventually transitioning to rapping. Run-DMC's third album, "Raising Hell," reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, cementing their place in hip-hop history.

Throughout his career, McDaniels has been open about his struggles with depression, alcoholism, and drug abuse. He also has been diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, a vocal disorder that has affected his performance style. Nevertheless, he has continued to create music and contribute to the industry in various ways, including launching his own record label, IME Records, in collaboration with producer Wade Martin and venturing into the comics industry with his own publishing imprint, Darryl Makes Comics. McDaniels' first book under this imprint is a 90-page graphic novel set in 1985 featuring him as a superhero.

In addition to his music and comic book ventures, McDaniels has also made appearances on television shows such as "Saturday Night Live" and in video games like Guitar Hero: Aerosmith. He has collaborated with numerous artists, including Adoptee Zara Philips, with whom he released the song "I'm Legit," and has also worked with the band Generation Kill on a project called DMC Generation Kill. In his music, McDaniels has often addressed important social issues, such as COVID-19 vaccination, which he promoted with a song and animated video titled "Let's All Get the Vaccine."

McDaniels' accomplishments extend beyond music and entertainment. He has written his autobiography, "King of Rock: Respect, Responsibility, and My Life with Run-DMC," and a children's book called "Darryl's Dream." Additionally, he authored “Ten Ways Not to Commit Suicide," giving him another platform to talk about his past struggles with depression and helping those, especially men of color, remove the shame of asking for help. He also partnered with U Will, the app that allows college students immediate access to a therapist.

McDaniels testified before the New Jersey State Legislature in support of legislation to restore adopted adults' access to their original birth certificates and has co-founded The Felix Organization, a non-profit that serves children in the foster care system. For his work with this organization, McDaniels received the Congressional Angels in Adoption award.

Over the years, McDaniels' work has been widely recognized. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009 and has received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contributions to the recording field. In 2024, McDaniels was featured in the "Kings From Queens: The Run DMC Story" docuseries that details the groups influence on music, fashion, and culture.