To millions of people around the world he is know as DMC "the king of rock" there is none higher. His
pioneering ground breaking work with the legendary Run Dmc brought Hip hop to the masses and proved
you didn't need a band to rock. RUN DMC was the first ever Rap group to be on the cover of rolling
stone. They were the first to have a number 1 rap album,the first rap artist to go platinum, and for those
of you who remember when Mtv played music videos, they were the first rap group to have a video on
Mtv. Recently i got a chance to speak with Darryl McDaniels aka: DMC!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First off i just want to say thank you, and tell you how awesome it is to speak with you. I See you a lot on
tv and you always come across as sincere and an all around good guy. It stands as testament to this
observation that you took the time to speak to an unknown indie webzine.
MAYHEM
Growing up, what were some of the bands/artist you were into?
DMC
I was into the Beatles, Elton John, The RollingStones, and a lot of the Classic Rock artist. I liked other
groups like War and Graham Central Station, Parliment Funkadelic, but mostly rock n roll.
MAYHEM
How did these artist effect the development of your sound?
DMC
As you know i am The King Of Rock, hardrockinhiphoppin microphone killa!
MAYHEM
You (Run Dmc) helped bring Hip hop to the national level, and in the process made it a legitimate form of
music. Did it ever cross your mind when you were first starting out how revolutionary this new music was,
and how popular it would become?
DMC
We just knew it was huge in our hood, and the same way it affected us in the parks and basements of our
streets, we felt it would feel just as good to all.
MAYHEM
Describe the progression from the basement and house parties to the big stage. What was it like?
DMC
There's no difference between 100 peeps in a basement, 1000 peeps in the park or 100,000 in a
stadium, we live to rock the house.
MAYHEM
Given the nature of the beginning of Rap, and how it was just supposed to be a "fad" like disco. What
advice Would you have for kids, be it aspiring Mc's or musicians who may be in their basements or
garages right now?
DMC
You better love it for the artform, if you dont you aint really reppin true Hip Hop, and above all be original,
bring something new, dont be a follower.
MAYHEM
How different is it today, as far as promotion and getting your music heard, in relation to how you got
started?
DMC
Today theres a chance to have promotional dollars behind you, and if you dont have that, technology, we
just had presence and presentation and had to show up and prove and break down doors.
MAYHEM
Would you agree that now more than ever, the power to make and distribute music is in each of our
hands?
DMC
Thats a true statement, i tell all peeps who wanna be heard and seen, you have the opportunity to use
whats available to make some noise, Hip Hop is about doing the best with what you have.
MAYHEM
One of the things i liked best about RUN-DMC was that the music had a feel good vibe, but still conveyed
an underlying message. How conscious were you of your message, and the listeners it would reach?
DMC
When you step to the mic in Hip Hop, you have a responsibility, it has nothing to do with showbiz! You
represent a culture and a people.
MAYHEM
In todays music it doesn't seem like there is to much of a message, how do you feel about the current
state of music?
DMC
Todays music has no balance or substance, theres nothing to motivate innovation and creativity, theres
some good stuff, but nothing that is great.
MAYHEM
Currently who do you feel "embodies" Hip Hop?
DMC
There are a whole lotta peeps who embody the total essence of Hip Hop, we just dont get to hear em.
MAYHEM
You've done some pretty interesting collaborations. In the past with Aerosmith, and recently with Sara
McLaughlin. I read somewhere that Rick(Rubin) had to talk you guys into doing the Aerosmith song. How
did the Sarah McLaughlin collaboration come about?
DMC
Sarah's song(angel) saved my life, i was depressed, alcoholic and suicidal and her song Angel made me
realize fame and fortune means nothing without significance. at age 35 i found out that i was adopted and
in the fostercare system and didnt know my whole life. I realize i was given the foundation of Hip Hop to
rep and inspire all the at risk youth of the world who are just like me. I called sarah up told her what her
song did for me, and we need to do song together for the same reasons, when we finished the song, she
turns to me and said, D, iwas adopted too..... and i did not know that when i approached her. Its real
deep why those things happened to get me and her together to create that song, and video.
MAYHEM
Speaking of collaborations, are there any bands or artists, that if given the opportunity you would like to
work with?
DMC
My first single off my new album is crazy, its me, Sebastin Bach, Travis Barker on drums and Mick Mars of
Motley Crue on guitars. Its called She gets me High. I would like to work with Bono and or U2 together
though.
MAYHEM
To the public you are DMC. most people only see the fame side of you, but on the flip side you've delt
with allot of personal struggles. What helped you overcome these hardships?
DMC
My friends in the world, who others call fans, they are my friends because i am them, no different, and
theyve told me over the best advice ive ever received..... D keep doing what YOU do, dont worry we love
you just the way you are!
MAYHEM
What do you want the people to know about Darryl, that they might not know?
DMC
That i am just like you, and yall are just like me!
OK the serious part is over now for some random nonsense!!
MAYHEM
Has a sucka Mc ever called you sire?
DMC
Sucker MCs run the other way when they see me coming, they probaly call me way worst things!
MAYHEM
Has Aerosmith ever thanked you for reviving their carreer
DMC
Steven Tyler and Joe Perry and the rest of my boys are the most humble, down to earth, and thankful
dudes i know, we appreciate what we did for each other!
MAYHEM
Do you still have the infamous glasses you wore in the early days of Run DMC?
DMC
Man, i have a pair somewhere, i sent a pair out to be reproduced..... and... wow... i.. never.. got.. em..
back! Time to make a call!
MAYHEM
How tricky is it to rock a rhyme?
DMC
Its not that tricky to D, its easy to D, cause DMC, mcs easily!
MAYHEM
Better cereal Count Chocula or Cap n Crunch?
DMC
Capt N Crunch is king of the bunch!
MAYHEM
would you rather listen to Cds or Records?
DMC
Records are so part of the wonderful music experience, taking it out of the cover, puttin it on the
tutrntable, droppin the needle down............ hardcorgasmic i say!
MAYHEM
Is it a Hoagie a Sub sandwhich or a Grinder?
DMC
Its a sub where i come from.
MAYHEM
George Clinton or James Brown?
DMC
I was watching last nite, George Clinton talk about James Brown who talked about Afrika Bambaata! So
for me its, JamesBrownGeorgeClintonandAfrikaBambaata all together!
MAYHEM
you were on reading rainbow and on the Ghost Busters soundtrack. who's cooler LeVar Burton or Dan
Aykroyd?
DMC
Dan is, not was, a muthafu____! Dans the man!
MAYHEM
Finally.....Seeing as how This will be mostly read in Wisconsin. Better Cheese Swiss or Cheddar?
DMC
Whatever Wisconsin says, thats the cheese for me.
*********CHECK OUT DMC's SOLO STUFF ON HIS MYSPACE www. myspace. com/dmc
