35 Facts About Darryl McDaniels

Darryl McDaniels is a founding member of the hip hop group Run-DMC, and is considered one of the pioneers of hip hop culture.

Darryl McDaniels was born to an unwed mother who surrendered him to the New York Foundling home.

Darryl McDaniels was a ward of the Foundling, in foster care, until placed with the McDaniels when he was one month old and eventually adopted by them.

Darryl McDaniels later attended Rice High School in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City.

Darryl McDaniels subsequently attended St John's University in Queens, New York City.

Darryl McDaniels listened to rock music and folk music in his youth; he first became interested in hip hop music in the 1970s after listening to recordings of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

In 1978, Darryl McDaniels taught himself to DJ in the basement of his parents' home, using turntables and a mixer that he bought with his older brother, Alford, after having a comic book sale in their neighborhood.

Later that year, Darryl McDaniels sold his DJ equipment, after his friend Joseph "Run" Simmons acquired his own turntables and mixer.

Gradually, Darryl McDaniels came to prefer rapping to mixing records, and adopted the nickname of "Easy D".

Darryl McDaniels was known to drink up to eight 40-ounce bottles of malt liquor a day and was arrested twice for public intoxication and driving while intoxicated.

Darryl McDaniels became extremely unhappy with the routine of touring and performing, and with being away from his wife and newborn son.

Darryl McDaniels began to rely heavily on prescription drugs and alcohol to ease the pain.

Darryl McDaniels was later diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, a vocal disorder which causes involuntary spasms of the larynx muscles.

Darryl McDaniels believes it was caused by the aggressive way in which he performs his lyrics compounded with the years of heavy drinking.

Meanwhile, Darryl McDaniels began to have creative differences with his bandmates in Run-D.

Darryl McDaniels learned that he was born in Harlem, Manhattan, not Hollis, Queens, as he had always believed.

Darryl McDaniels began working with the VH1 network on a documentary chronicling his quest.

The program ends with Darryl McDaniels reuniting with his birth mother, who turned out to be named Berncenia and despite previous beliefs, was not, in fact, of Dominican descent.

Darryl McDaniels thanked her for her choice because, had he not been placed for adoption, Run-D.

In March 2006, Darryl McDaniels released his solo album, Checks Thugs and Rock N Roll.

Darryl McDaniels testified before the New Jersey State Legislature in support of legislation to restore adopted adults' access to their original birth certificates.

The legislation Darryl McDaniels supported was signed by Governor Chris Christie and became effective on January 1,2017.

Darryl McDaniels is featured in the video game Guitar Hero: Aerosmith singing Run-D.

In 2009, Darryl McDaniels performed in The People Speak, a documentary feature film that uses dramatic and musical performances of the letters, diaries, and speeches of everyday Americans, based on historian Howard Zinn's nonfiction book A People's History of the United States.

In 2011, Darryl McDaniels joined forces with producer Wade Martin to open the record label IME Records.

The book is written by McDaniels and Damion Scott, and edited by Darryl Makes Comics' Editor-in-Chief, Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez and Senior Editor Rigo "Riggs" Morales.

In February 2021, Darryl McDaniels released a song and animated video, "Let's All Get the Vaccine," to encourage the COVID-19 vaccination.

In January 2022, McDaniels released his picture book, Darryl's Dream, published by Random House.

In January 2024, Darryl McDaniels released a cookie brand DMC Cookies.

In June 2024, a music video for Fantastic Cat's "So Glad You Made It" features Darryl McDaniels acting in the role of a music producer.

In September 2006, Darryl McDaniels received the Congressional Angels in Adoption award for his work with children in foster care and promotion of adoption.

Darryl McDaniels sits on the Board of Directors of Children's Rights, a national watchdog organization that reforms failing child welfare systems.

Darryl McDaniels has openly discussed his history of alcoholism and drug abuse.

Darryl McDaniels has been very frank about his battles with depression, including an appearance on Live From the Barrage, speaking at length about it.

Darryl McDaniels has written pieces in Men's Health and BlackDoctor, where he talked about his memoir, Ten Ways Not to Commit Suicide.