While the surviving members of Run-D.M.C. may have decided to hang up their microphones as a group following the death of group member Jam Master Jay, DMC (Darryl McDaniels) has decided to launch a solo career. The Queens, N.Y., native has been working on his solo debut, “Checks, Thugs and Rock’n’Roll,” for some time, but has been experimenting with other genres than the classic hip-hop sounds made famous by Run-D.M.C.
“I listen to Creedence Clearwater Revival, Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones — classic rock,” DMC tells Billboard. “This music isn’t old to me, because I never heard it before. For me to keep rapping, we’ve got to dominate the universe now. We’ve already dominated the world in mind and thought. It’s all about the music. I’m a little older now. I want to be the Bruce Springsteen, Roy Orbison of [rap] music. I’m going to keep rapping, but I want to try to make it better for everybody.”
DMC tackles the recent discovery of his adoption on “Kat’s in the Cradle,” which borrows the chorus from Harry Chapin’s classic tune. The hook is sung by former Arista labelmate Sarah McLachlan, who was also adopted.
“I found out I was adopted about a year-and-a-half ago,” DMC reveals. “This record is about that. It’s not something you see on BET or MTV. My mother was 16 years old when she gave me up.
“We made a record that will change music,” he continues. “That’s what I want to do. I’m the missing link. I’ve got to bring something new to the table. I’ve got to make records that mean something.” While he is currently unsigned, DMC says he has plans to launch his own label, DMC (Darryl’s Music Co.).
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