Darryl McDaniels
Author & Entertainer
Run-DMC
San Diego, CA USA
“You’ve got to go through to get to.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationDarryl McDaniels
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
I grew up in Hollis, Queens, in New York.
I initially thought I wanted to create comic books because I loved the storytelling aspect—that love for storytelling transferred to music when I realized that’s exactly what 70s folk rock was doing.
When hip hop broke onto the scene, I was sold—all throughout my teenage years, I wrote raps that told stories about myself.
After high school, I was accepted into St. John’s University and enrolled but didn’t end up graduating because I became immersed in the music and entertainment industry.
My friend Joseph “Run” Simmons and I created our first single and it became a national hit.
We created Run-DMC with DJ Jason Mizell, and became the most popular hip hop group at the time.
I eventually started struggling with depression and alcoholism, which intensified when I found out I was adopted—I struggled for years before finally seeking help and turning my life around.
In 2022 I released a children’s book, “Darryl’s Dream,” to tell kids the personal characteristics that make them who they are will help them successfully achieve their dreams.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Author & Entertainer
I'm a rapper and founding member of the hip hop group Run-DMC.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Music
Writing
Communicating / Sharing Stories
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"You won't be successful with hip hop. It's a fad. It'll be over soon."
Challenges I Overcame
Mental Health Issues
Drugs / Addiction
