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Victoria Barker
asiaone news

SOME rappers may go to Hollywood to star in TV shows, but American musician Darryl "DMC" McDaniels will have none of that.

The member of legendary hiphop outfit Run DMC instead prefers to be known for his passion: music.

Speaking to my paper at the Singapore office of German sportswear label adidas, McDaniels said: "When people see me at 85 years old, I want them to see me the same way they see Bob Dylan.

"If I do reality television, like every other rapper, the first thing they're gonna remember is 'Oh, he's got a reality show'. I don't want that."

His former groupmate, Joseph "Run" Simmons, 45 - better known these days as Rev Run - stars in smash reality show Run's House, which follows the lives of the musician's family.

To each his own, said McDaniels.

"There's nothing wrong with (reality television). It's just not for me," the 45-year-old said with a shrug.

The affable rap star was here in Singapore to perform last night at the Hard Rock Cafe as part of its 20th-anniversary celebrations.

Run DMC was formed in 1983 by Simmons, McDaniels and Jason "Jam-Master Jay" Mizell, originally performing casually on the streets of New York City.

The trio soon brought a revolutionary new sound to the world of hip-hop with their cocky rhymes and hard-hitting beats in their first single, It's Like That/Sucker MCs.

They released their eponymous debut album the following year, and went on to spawn hit singles like King Of Rock (1985) and You Be Illin' (1986).

The outspoken threesome also made a notable impact on the fashion industry, popularising the concept of streetwear and name-checking their favourite brand, adidas, in their hit 1986 song, My Adidas.

Six albums later, however, Run DMC was forced to retire after Mizell was killed by gunshot in 2002 at the age of 37.

But McDaniels is keeping alive the spirit of the group, which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year.

He currently performs at selected events and appearances, and is in the midst of recording a new solo album, The Origins Of Block Music, to be released some time this year.

One of the singles off that record boasts a stellar line-up of rock's greatest, which sees McDaniels collaborating with Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, and Skid Row vocalist Sebastian Bach.

"What I'm trying to do is make everything fun," McDaniels said animatedly. (Emphasis on "fun".)

"People think 'old school' was a time period, but it was actually a consciousness (and I'm trying to bring that back)."

And though he is "humbled" by the fact that Run DMC has been labelled one of the founding fathers of hip-hop, McDaniels is glad to have made a positive impact on his fans.

"When you say hip-hop, you've got this image of a thug, a drugdealer, a Bentley-driving guy who got shot and went to jail last night," he said.

"But there's a responsibility that comes with that, and (Run DMC) tried to go against everything showbiz promotes."

He added with a laugh: "(Rapper) Busta Rhymes once told me, 'When you and Run walk into a room, you ain't Run DMC. You hip-hop."