Run-DMC Rap and Rock Their Way to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Run-DMC is made up of the rapping duo of Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels plus their late DJ Jam Master Jay. The three of them gained fame and fortune by bringing their rap to the mainstream in a rocking style. Now the trio have rapped and rocked their way to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Run-DMC performed such hits as "MY Adiddas" and "Tricky" but gained the most notoriety for the music video and song that they performed with rock legends Aerosmith that was a remake of an already popular tune from the past in "Walk This Way." The song and video featured the two groups trying to out-sing one another in what was a pretend feud. The song was an overwhelming success and was accepted by both the rock and rap community. Now Run-DMC is going into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with this year's other inductees that include, Metallica, guitarist Jeff Beck, soul singer Bobby Womack and doo-wop group Little Anthony and the Imperials (source: news.yahoo.com).

When asked about being selected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Darryl McDaniels said, "I'm a rap dude, I'm an MC from Hollis (a neighborhood in New York's borough of Queens), just rockin' the mic, and to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with the Beatles, and (Bob) Dylan, and the rock 'n' roll gods? It's ridiculous! Ridiculous in a good way." He also took a moment to thank those that came before Run-DMC that helped open the doors for them: "I share this nomination and the induction and the whole award with those cats, everyone from the Bronx and Harlem who started this (source: news.yahoo.com)."

It is customary that many of the bands that are being inducted perform during the induction ceremony, which will take place on April 4th, but don't expect to see the rapping duo to oblige. "We can't do it without Jay," McDaniels said. "I want people to remember the last time they saw us together, the three of us." Jam Master Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell, was gunned down in his recording studio in 2002 (source; news.yahoo.com). He will obviously be missed.

It's great to see these three pioneers be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. While others paved the way for their success, they have opened the door for many others themselves. I still remember seeing the video for "Walk This Way" for the first time and how much I loved the song (still do). For me and a whole generation it was the first time we had heard the song. That led me to listening to the original and for a while I enjoyed both rap and rock. While I am now just a rocker, I am now, like I was then, a Run-DMC fan. Congrats guys!