On February 01, 2006, we had the opportunity to speak with DMC, Darryl McDaniels, one of the members of Run-DMC, for a in-depth interview about his life, career, and new album (Checks, Thugs And Rock & Roll). During the 41 minute and 22 second interview, DMC went on to talk about the passing on of his father and musical partner Jam Master Jay, thoughts of suicide, and the recent discovery of his adoption at birth.
ABOUT DARRYL MCDANIELS (RUN-DMC):
Darryl McDaniels or "DMC" as most of the world knows him, first made his start in the music business as one third of the groundbreaking rap group Run-DMC and quickly became the most popular in terms of fans and influence. He has been in the public eye for the past 20 years, since forming the now legendary, defunct group, RUN-D.M.C with Joseph (Rev. Run) Simmons and the late, great Jason (Jam Master Jay) Mizell. Also one of the founding members of this multi-platinum music group, selling over 30 million singles and albums worldwide, it would be hard to overstate his influence on popular culture. He helped transform Rap and Hip Hop into the most popular music in the world, while building a fan base that rivals the biggest acts in Rock 'n' Roll.
What is the significance behind the title of your new album, "Checks, Thugs And Rock & Roll?"
DARRYL MCDANIELS (RUN-DMC):The reason why you would want to do Hip-Hop is because you have something to say. You can make a difference. You can inform people. And you can have fun. So that is why you have Checks. Then you have everybody that wants to be harder than the next man. Everybody needs to be more thugged out than the next guy. If you rap about another rapper, their going to beat you down. So you have all this thuggery going on, which is a part of Hip-Hop, but it is not like that everyday. So what is wrong with Hip-Hop? These rappers are not sayin' much. So what I am sayin' is I am me. I am the Rock and Roll. Rap has become more about things. About what someone is doing. What someone is drinking. And who they are dating. It is no longer about the music no more. So "Checks, Thugs, and Rock & Roll." I am the missing link. It is about the music. Hip-Hop is what it is because it is the new Rock and Roll.
According to a recent press release, it stated that you collaborated with many non Hip-Hop artists such as Sarah McLachlan, Kid Rock, Josh Todd and Joey Kramer. Were you trying to create a different sound on the album? Why did you choose these artists?
DARRYL MCDANIELS (RUN-DMC):When I was doing this album, I was thinking about it like this...With Run-DMC, I had a role and a position to play, but with a solo record, I can be down. I have always loved Rock and Roll music, what some people call classic rock. I love to listen to Pink Floyd, Hendrix, John Fogerty, The Doobie Brothers, and the list goes on. When I listen...I listen to the drums. I listen to the tambourines. I listen to the harmonicas. And I ask myself, what are these instruments? That is the best music I have ever heard. So when I went into this record, "Checks, Thugs, and Rock & Roll," I wasn't going to be the guy to just take those classic rock sounds. I went to get the people: Josh Todd, Joey Kramer, Tom Hamilton, Elliot Easton, Doug E. Fresh. It wasn't like...take the beat, spit some rap on it, and put the record out. We produce. We arrange. We start it from scratch. It was a creative process. I wanted to make some real music and do what real musicians do. I pick those people because they are the best at what they do. You can call them famous. You can call them celebrities. But without all that, they are musicians.
The past 5 years of your life have been really tough with the discovery of your adoption and with the passing of your father and the late Jam Master Jay. Our condolences and hearts go out to you. How have these past major events affected your career, music, and your overall view on life?
DARRYL MCDANIELS (RUN-DMC):About 10 years ago, we were touring as Run-DMC over in Europe and I was questioning if I was here just to be DMC? I am 35 years old now. I can't no longer rap about stuff that I was doing when I was 18 and 25. I've grown. I've evolved. So was I here just to be DMC? If so, what was I supposed to be doing? What am I supposed to be writing? What am I supposed to be talking about? What is my motivation? What is my purpose? So I was over in Europe and life was good. I was getting $100,000 a night per show. I was living, but in my mind...I was like, if this was what there is left for me on this plane of existence then I am ready to move on to my next plane of existence. I was suicidal. I felt like all this stuff wasn't satisfying enough. So I was like...I am going to commit suicide because there is more to life than just being rich and famous. So when I came back from Europe, I get in the car and turn the radio on and Sarah McLachlan's song "Angel" was on the radio. That record saved my life. Money, Fame, Wife, Kids...It is all good, but that record saved my life. It made me realize that it was good to be alive. So I went through this whole process to figure out what do I do now. I am getting older now. How do I grow up now? So I went out to buy that record and every record Sarah McLachlan has ever did. For one whole year in 1997, all I ever did was listen to Sarah McLachlan. So 3 years go by, and I found out that I was adopted. So that was a life-changing moment for me. I realize that that was the void in me. I was about to kill myself because I didn't know that there was piece of me missing. I realized that I had a greater purpose and destiny. If my mother never gave me up for adoption, I would have never moved to Harlem. I would have never been able to meet Run and Jay. This was destiny for me, to write a record to help that little foster kid or that kid questioning if they have a purpose. Or whoever...you have a purpose and reason to be here. So I wanted to encourage, motivate, and inspire. This is the power of music. So moving forward...I go into the studio and worked with Sarah McLachlan. We were both in the studio and she looked at me and said, "Darryl." I was like, "What." She said, "I was adopted too!" It doesn't matter if you are from the ghetto or if you are from Beverly Hills. When you wake up in the morning and look out the window, you have to deal with the world. When you turn the TV on or pick up the newspaper, you need to deal with all those issues. So I talk about what I have been through. Yes, I am an alcoholic. I have been to rehab. So I will make a record about that, as it will help someone out there. I am adopted. So I will make a record about being adopted. So when I make a record, it needs to do 2 things. First of all, it needs to make people think, to motivate, to inspire, and to educate the people again. This is why Bob Dylan wrote what he wrote. This is why John Lennon wrote what he wrote. It is not the parents, politicians, clergy that dictate what goes on. It is the entertainers. The athletes and musicians. However, I am not a role model. I have issues, but I will make a record that someone could relate to.
