For Run-D.M.C., Authenticity Is Everything

We talk to musical pioneer Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels about the group’s fashion, hip-hop today and more. HYPEBEAST Features - Go in-depth and learn more about the culture. [HYPEBEAST]( [Features]( November 1, 2019 [For Run-D.M.C., Authenticity Is Everything]( We talk to musical pioneer Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels about the group’s fashion, hip-hop today and more. FRANK MICELOTTA ARCHIVE / GETTY IMAGES Founded in 1983 in New York City, [Run-D.M.C.]( paved the way for much of the hip-hop sound that has echoed across the world ever since. The group’s prophetic hits were not only prescient in their sonic style but in how they forged a connection between MC and DJ. The trio — made up of Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons, Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels and the late Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell — catapulted hip-hop into the mainstream. And the group is still going strong, with McDaniels and Simmons having recently played at Las Vegas’ [JBL]( Fest. “Since the ‘80s I’ve stayed true to myself, which has helped me stay authentic to my work, my fans and hip-hop culture in general,” McDaniels told HYPEBEAST during the music festival. “I don’t think this concept has changed much since the ‘80s — fans still gravitate towards artists that are authentically themselves.” But certainly if it wasn’t for Run-D.M.C.’s new school sound, much of today’s industry wouldn’t exist. I don’t think this concept has changed much since the ‘80s — fans still gravitate towards artists that are authentically themselves. Though primarily known as a hip-hop group, Run-D.M.C. also retook ownership of rock n’ roll. The genre has long since been clouded by white musicians despite originating from historically Black musical forms, a fact [Pyer Moss]( recently examined in his [Spring/Summer 2020 show](. The group’s 1984 classic “Rock Box” exemplified this, employing heavy-metal guitar riffs and aggressive rhymes that veered hip-hop’s lens into more socially critical territory. They had laid the foundations for the Roland TR-808 drum machines, with then-manager and Def Jam co-founder [Russell Simmons]( and producer Larry Smith engineering a stripped-down version that allowed for a jolt of energetic fury. The group’s fervent hard-rock rhythms and critically-aligned sixteens laid the bedrock for [Public Enemy]( [Nas]( [The Roots]( [Eminem]( and more to flourish. GETTY IMAGES FOR JBL But it wasn’t just a particular genre of music that the group popularized — it was equally so the accompanying hip-hop lifestyle. “For hip-hop specifically, the look is everything – you want to show that you’re still true to your roots even with your success,” McDaniels said. From laceless [adidas Superstars]( influenced by prison shoes to full-blown tracksuits, D.M.C.’s eclectic take on fashion was far more street than the outlandishness promulgated by block-rocking acts [Grandmaster Flash]( and [Afrikaa Bambaataa](. From the thick gold rope chains and fedoras, their eclectic take on style was as unique as it was daring. The group changed the hip-hop fashion landscape, with their influence still felt today. Recently, Run-D.M.C.’s Darryl McDaniels and Joseph Simmons took to Las Vegas to partake in 2019’s JBL Fest, offering up an energy-pounding showcase of hip-hop’s raw and untethered values. They brought the same authenticity they did nearly 40 years ago, playing out an eclectic collection of D.M.C. staples, rocking the normative style they began with. HYPEBEAST spoke with McDaniels, who shared his thoughts on New York City, authenticity, rap rock, and more. [READ THE FULL INTERVIEW ON HYPEBEAST →]( [banner]( [banner](   [More HYPEBEAST Features]( [[8 Drops You Don't Want to Miss This Week] [FASHION]( [8 Drops You Don't Want to Miss This Week]( [[Nike Serves up More Halloween-Themed Kicks in This Week's Best Footwear Drops] Presented by Armani Exchange [Armani Exchange Revives '90s Design Details for Fall/Winter 2019]( [Get The App Free on iOS and Android]( Follow --------------------------------------------------------------- 2019 HYPEBEAST Limited. All Rights Reserved [Manage Subscriptions]( You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to HYPEBEAST's marketing emails. You can unsubscribe from us any time by clicking [here](. It may take 48 hours to complete the unsubscribe process. Contact subscription@hypebeast.com for assistance on any enquiries. Our Mailing Address: HYPEBEAST, 10F, KC 100, 100 Kwai Cheong Road, Kwai Chung, Hong Kong