They still wanna be down with the King! Happy birthday to Darryl "DMC" McDaniels. The Devastating Mic Controller turns 54 today (May 31).

Of course, Run-D.M.C.'s legacy is well-documented. With Run as the slick-talking rhymer, DMC was the booming, larger-than-life King of Rock. Run-D.M.C. and Jam-Master Jay took the charts by storm in the 1980s, racking up platinum plaques, touring arenas and turning hip-hop into commercially-viable mainstream music and proving that rappers could sustain careers beyond a handful of hit singles.

However, the success didn't comfort McDaniels in the late '90s. The rigors of touring, combined with alcoholism and being away from his family, started wearing on him. The veteran rapper became depressed and suicidal, but he reevaluated his life after being moved by Sarah McLachlan's song "Angel."

McDaniels has been doing better since that dark place. Run-D.M.C. hasn't recorded since Jam-Master Jay's 2002 murder, but DMC released an autobiography and a solo album called Checks Thugs and Rock n Roll in 2006.

He has also started his own comic book imprint. You can check out his new venture at his official website Darryl Makes Comics.

Watch D.M.C. Discuss Pete Rock, Kid Cudi and Rappers' Emotional Wellness

Watch Run-D.M.C.'s "Run's House" Video

Watch Run-D.M.C.'s Krush Groove "It's Like That" Scene

 

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