Run-DMC was an American rap group formed in 1982 by Joseph Simmons (Run), Darryl McDaniels (DMC), and Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay). Managed by Russell Simmons, they rose from Queens, New York, introducing "new-school" rap and a casual hip-hop style with black leather jackets and Adidas. Run-DMC achieved several milestones, including being the first rap act to have a gold album, appear on MTV, and secure an endorsement deal with a major corporation. Their hits included "Walk This Way" and "It's Tricky". Though their activity decreased in the 1990s, the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009 and received a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement in 2016. In 2002, Jam Master Jay was murdered. Two men were convicted of his murder in 2024.

When and where was Run-DMC formed?

Run-DMC, who brought hip-hop to the mainstream, was an American rap group with members Joseph Simmons (Run), Darryl McDaniels (DMC), and Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay). The group formed in 1982 in Hollis, a predominantly African American section of Queens, New York City. Managed by Russell Simmons, Run's brother and cofounder of Def Jam, they debuted in 1983 with the single “It’s Like That”/“Sucker MCs”. Run-DMC was known for its unique sound and fashion, setting trends with casual hip-hop attire like black leather jackets, unlaced Adidas shoes, and black denim pants. They achieved several milestones, including being the first rap act to have a gold album and appear on MTV.

What kind of music did Run-DMC make?

Run-DMC was an American rap group that brought hip-hop into the musical and cultural mainstream, introducing what became known as “new-school” rap. Their groundbreaking single, "It's Like That”/“Sucker MCs," featured a spare, forceful rhythm track and overlapping vocals. They fused rap and rock melodies, which can be heard in their remake of Aerosmith’s "Walk This Way". Other hits included "King of Rock," "My Adidas," and "It's Tricky". Jam Master Jay provided the hard, pounding beats and scratching of records on his turntable that were an integral part of the stripped-down sound pioneered by the group.

Why is Run-DMC considered important in hip hop history?

Run-DMC brought hip-hop into the mainstream, ushering in what became known as "new-school" rap. Their groundbreaking single, "It's Like That/Sucker MCs," featured a spare, forceful rhythm track and overlapping vocals. They were the first rappers to have a gold album, the first rap act to appear on MTV, and they gained popularity with a largely white audience through their fusion of hip-hop and rock on hits like "Rock Box" and "Walk This Way". Their hit song "My Adidas" led to the first endorsement deal between hip-hop artists and a major corporation. Run-DMC's success demonstrated the commercial potential for rap, which other labels then exploited to greater effect.

What are some famous songs or albums by Run-DMC?

Run-DMC was an American rap group that brought hip-hop to the mainstream. Some of their hit songs include " Walk This Way " (1986) and " It's Tricky " (1987). They dropped their groundbreaking single " It's Like That "/"Sucker MCs" in 1983. In 1984, they released their gold album Run-D.M.C. They were also the first rap act to appear on MTV. Other hits include " King of Rock " (1985) and " My Adidas " (1986).

How did Run-DMC influence popular culture beyond music?

Run-DMC significantly influenced popular culture, bringing hip-hop into the mainstream. The group's style set the standard for hip-hop artists, trading in the flashy costumes of funk acts for a more casual look of black leather jackets, unlaced Adidas, and black denim. Their hit song "My Adidas" led to the first endorsement deal between hip-hop artists and a major corporation. Run-DMC's remake of Aerosmith’s "Walk This Way" was the first rap hit to make the Top Five on the pop chart, gaining acceptance from various radio formats and becoming an MTV staple.

Run-DMC

Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

Run-DMC members perform outdoors wearing Adidas sneakers, gold chains, and black hats, with one member on drums and city buildings in the background.

Quick Facts

Also spelled:: Run-D.M.C.

Awards And Honors:: Grammy Award (2016); Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (2009)

Related People:: Jam Master Jay

See all related content

Run-DMC

American rap group

Also known as: Run-D.M.C.

Written by

Greg Tate

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Oct. 9, 2026 •History

Top Questions

Who were Run-DMC?
Run-DMC was an American rap group formed in 1982 by Joseph Simmons (Run), Darryl McDaniels (DMC), and Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay). Managed by Russell Simmons, they rose from Queens, New York, introducing "new-school" rap and a casual hip-hop style with black leather jackets and Adidas.

Run-DMC achieved several milestones, including being the first rap act to have a gold album, appear on MTV, and secure an endorsement deal with a major corporation. Their hits included "Walk This Way" and "It's Tricky". Though their activity decreased in the 1990s, the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009 and received a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement in 2016. In 2002, Jam Master Jay was murdered. Two men were convicted of his murder in 2024.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Run-DMC
2. Jam Master Jay
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
When and where was Run-DMC formed?
Run-DMC, who brought hip-hop to the mainstream, was an American rap group with members Joseph Simmons (Run), Darryl McDaniels (DMC), and Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay).

The group formed in 1982 in Hollis, a predominantly African American section of Queens, New York City. Managed by Russell Simmons, Run's brother and cofounder of Def Jam, they debuted in 1983 with the single “It’s Like That”/“Sucker MCs”.

Run-DMC was known for its unique sound and fashion, setting trends with casual hip-hop attire like black leather jackets, unlaced Adidas shoes, and black denim pants. They achieved several milestones, including being the first rap act to have a gold album and appear on MTV.
1 Britannica Source
1. Run-DMC
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What kind of music did Run-DMC make?
Run-DMC was an American rap group that brought hip-hop into the musical and cultural mainstream, introducing what became known as “new-school” rap. Their groundbreaking single, "It's Like That”/“Sucker MCs," featured a spare, forceful rhythm track and overlapping vocals.

They fused rap and rock melodies, which can be heard in their remake of Aerosmith’s "Walk This Way". Other hits included "King of Rock," "My Adidas," and "It's Tricky". Jam Master Jay provided the hard, pounding beats and scratching of records on his turntable that were an integral part of the stripped-down sound pioneered by the group.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Why is Run-DMC considered important in hip hop history?
Run-DMC brought hip-hop into the mainstream, ushering in what became known as "new-school" rap. Their groundbreaking single, "It's Like That/Sucker MCs," featured a spare, forceful rhythm track and overlapping vocals.

They were the first rappers to have a gold album, the first rap act to appear on MTV, and they gained popularity with a largely white audience through their fusion of hip-hop and rock on hits like "Rock Box" and "Walk This Way". Their hit song "My Adidas" led to the first endorsement deal between hip-hop artists and a major corporation.

Run-DMC's success demonstrated the commercial potential for rap, which other labels then exploited to greater effect.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Run-DMC
2. Profile Records: “Run This Way”
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What are some famous songs or albums by Run-DMC?
Run-DMC was an American rap group that brought hip-hop to the mainstream. Some of their hit songs include "Walk This Way" (1986) and "It's Tricky" (1987). They dropped their groundbreaking single "It's Like That"/"Sucker MCs" in 1983. In 1984, they released their gold album Run-D.M.C. They were also the first rap act to appear on MTV. Other hits include "King of Rock" (1985) and "My Adidas" (1986).
2 Britannica Sources
1. Run-DMC
2. Profile Records: “Run This Way”
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How did Run-DMC influence popular culture beyond music?
Run-DMC significantly influenced popular culture, bringing hip-hop into the mainstream. The group's style set the standard for hip-hop artists, trading in the flashy costumes of funk acts for a more casual look of black leather jackets, unlaced Adidas, and black denim. Their hit song "My Adidas" led to the first endorsement deal between hip-hop artists and a major corporation. Run-DMC's remake of Aerosmith’s "Walk This Way" was the first rap hit to make the Top Five on the pop chart, gaining acceptance from various radio formats and becoming an MTV staple.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Run-DMC
2. Profile Records: “Run This Way”
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Run-DMC, was an American rap group that brought hip-hop into the musical and cultural mainstream, introducing what became known as “new-school” rap. Run-DMC’s hit songs included “Walk This Way” (1986) and “It’s Tricky” (1987). Its members were Joseph Simmons (Run), Darryl McDaniels (DMC, or D.M.C.), and Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay).

The members

Joseph Simmons (Run): b. November 14, 1964, New York, New York, U.S.
Darryl McDaniels (DMC, or D.M.C.): b. May 31, 1964, New York, New York, U.S.
Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay): b. January 21, 1965, New York, New York, U.S.—d. October 30, 2002, New York City

Formed in 1982 in Hollis—a middle-class, predominantly African American section of the New York City borough Queens—Run-DMC was managed by Russell Simmons, who was the brother of group member Run and was cofounder of Def Jam, one of the most successful Black-owned record companies. Run, whose nickname came from his quick turntable manipulation, began his musical career as a deejay for old-school rapper Kurtis Blow. Later Run, DMC, and Jam Master Jay began performing in New York City clubs. In 1983 Profile Records released the group’s groundbreaking single “It’s Like That”/“Sucker MCs,” which featured a spare, forceful rhythm track and overlapping vocals (group members interweaving lines and words). Not only was their sound different, so, too, was their dress. Whereas earlier rap stars fashioned their looks after the spangled superhero costumes of 1970s funk acts like Parliament-Funkadelic and Rick James, Run-DMC appeared in their signature bowler hats, black leather jackets, unlaced Adidas athletic shoes, and black denim pants, establishing the more casual look of hip urban youth as de rigueur stage wear for rappers.

(Read about Run-DMC’s role in the rise of sneaker culture.)

British musical group Culture Club on the set of the "Karma Chameleon" video, 1983; (left to right) Roy Hay, Jon Moss, Boy George and Mikey Craig.

Britannica Quiz

80s Music Quiz

They were the first rappers to have a gold album—Run-D.M.C. (1984)—and the first rap act to appear on MTV, becoming popular with the cable channel’s largely white audience via their fusion of hardcore hip-hop and screaming guitar solos on hits such as “Rock Box” (1984) and a 1986 remake of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way” (featuring the song’s hard-rocking originators). Other hits by Run-DMC included “King of Rock” (1985), “My Adidas” (1986), which led to the first endorsement deal between hip-hop artists and a major corporation, and “It’s Tricky” (1987). Although the group never officially disbanded, their recording and performing activities decreased significantly in the 1990s. In 2002 Jam Master Jay was fatally shot at a recording studio in Jamaica, Queens. Run-DMC was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009 and received a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement in 2016.

Greg Tate

Run-DMC

Thank you for signing up!