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Innovator, Motivator, Philanthropist, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels changed music and made history when he broke down cultural barriers 25 years ago with his legendary band Run-DMC. 30 million record sales later he continues to inspire & impact the world…

 

Darryl “DMC” McDaniels is a legendary music icon. For more than 25 years, it would be hard to overstate his influence on popular culture. From the first rap group to grace the cover of Rolling Stone to the first to appear on MTV, Run-DMC changed music, culture, fashion, language and made American history.

 

30 million record sales later, and nine years after the untimely death of his band mate Jam Master Jay, DMC still continues to create, inspire and motivate. He is the co-author of the critically acclaimed autobiography entitled, King of Rock; Respect, Responsibility and My Life with Run-DMC (2001/St. Martins) and in 2006 released an award winning solo album Checks, Thugs & Rock and Roll.

 

That album featured the hit single “Just like Me” with Sarah McLaughlin, a song DMC wrote after discovering he was adopted, that spoke to his new revelation and began his journey down another life path, in search of his birth mother. While his search struggle was captured in the 2007 Emmy Winning VH1 documentary DMC: My Adoption Journey, the process gave DMC tremendous insight and purpose, prompting him to become an advocate for adoption and children in foster care.

 

In between his work as a musician, published author and speaker, DMC co-founded the Felix Organization- a nonprofit that works with adoptees and foster children. McDaniels has been invited to the White House by President Obama to address various youth groups on responsibility during a Father’s Day celebration and has appeared before Congress and various State legislatures in support of adoptees and foster children. He has received various awards including the Hard Rock’s Love All Serve All Award for his numerous philanthropic endeavors and the coveted CHILDREN’S RIGHTS Champion Award for his tireless work on behalf of foster children through his FELIX ORGANIZATION / Adoptees for

Children, as well as his work providing other year-round opportunities for children in foster care.

 

In 2009 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is currently recording a new album to be released later this year.