Wishing a happy 53rd birthday to one of hip-hop's founding fathers - Joseph (Rev. Run) Simmons, born on this day in 1964 in Hollis, Queens. Younger brother to Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons and artist Danny Simmons, and son to school system administrator/professor Daniel and homemaker Evelyn, Joe and his brother survived a turbulent yet dynamic environment in growing up to each find their own creative callings.
After attending a 1977 Harlem show by pioneeering DJ Eddie Cheeba, Joe decided to pursue a career in music. He first found success behind the turntables, serving as DJ to MC Kurtis Blow, whom brother Russell was managing early on. With a stronger desire to perform and connect with the crowd, Simmons found himself on the mic, and often engaged in on-stage verbal duels with Blow. High school friend Daryl McDaniels soon approached Joe with the idea of forming a rap duo, joined shortly thereafter by fellow high school friend Jason Mizell as their DJ. The trio of Joe (adopting the new moniker "Run", Daryl (DMC) and Jason (Jam Master Jay) became Run-DMC and quickly made waves in a blossoming hip-hop scene.
After landing a record deal with Profile Records in 1983, Run-DMC released their self-titled debut album the following year and became one of the genre's first and most recognizable acts. A consistent run of success through the latter half of the decade put Run-DMC down as one of the more influential groups to the artists that followed - and they are still heralded to this day. The group did little recording during the 90's into the millennium as personal and professional evolvement led to differences in the group's direction. While the group struggled to find common ground in the late 90's, hopes for a continued resurgence were forever dashed with the murder of Jam Master Jay in 2002. As a result, Simmons and McDaniels decided to disband the group permanently and retire the Run-DMC moniker.
Joe, now known as Rev. Run, became an ordained Pentecostal minister towards the end of Run-DMC's heyday, and has been active since in the religious community. He has also collaborated with brother Russell in various projects through the Def Jam label, Russell's Phat Farm clothing line, and in supporting charitable activities. Rev. Run has also published a book, became the subject (with his family) of the MTV reality show Run's House, and has been involved with various other tv projects. The father of six continues to stay active as an inspirational role model for many.
Growing up in the 80's wasn't easy - I may have wanted my MTV early on, but the music quickly became stale for me. Through punk music and hip-hop I found a new attitude, and Run-DMC played a strong role in that. I can still remember listening to Raising Hell while on the bus headed to away high school football games...the songs got in your blood. It was new, fresh, and inspiring - and the music has left a strong legacy.
The 1986 crossover smash cover of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" brought Run-DMC to the rest of the suburban white kids I grew up with, and I was proud to have already known about them...still am.
Happy birthday, Rev. Run...
