#rundmc

Run-DMC is a legend in the hip-hop industry. They repped heavy in the golden age of hip hop. Undeniably, their contribution to the industry has earned them OG status. While hip hop has evolved and new artists have emerged, the OG’s still hold mad weight. And yesterday, Darryl “DMC” had something deeper he wanted to rap about.

What Darryl Has to Say

According to Darryl, what is lacking in the industry are artists who spit about fundamental issues such as addiction and mental health. Darryl contends the current generation barely touches these issues.

“The big problem is nobody in this current generation of rappers is constantly making records about the issues. Think about it,”

That’s keeping it real.

A Pervasive Problem

There is a blatant problem in the community. The culture is losing too many to addiction and unaddressed mental health issues. This is a point no one will deny, as the record speaks for itself. Two artists Daryl mentions in his message to drive his point home are Mac Miller and Juice Wrld, both of whom he feels could have benefited from a change in the script. That is a great point. And there is no denying that things must change somewhere. But with who?

Darryl is A Voice of Many

Darryl is not the only artist who has been vocal about artists’ use of their platform. A few days ago, Soulja Boy hopped on social media, calling out OGs for their ineptness in giving back to the younger generation. It is an argument which at this point, has been on repeat. At this point, isn’t it past time for finger-pointing?

Whose responsibility is it?

The argument of personal responsibility will always arise as some people feel it’s not their burden to carry. However, Darryl’s sentiments are worth consideration. As he argues, if artists can rap about drugs, shouldn’t there be some accountability regarding the dangers of such ? In the OG’s words,

“Harmful, addictive, and unhealthy behaviors are often “celebrated,” if Future is going to “make that song about Percocet,” the very next song should be about the dangers.

But is he wrong?

Darryl Looks at Accountability

Although Darryl’s frustration was evident, he didn’t forget his responsibility. While calling out for a need, he bore complete honesty about his role.

So I’m like, ‘Yo. This is my culture. These are my people.’ Their age don’t mean anything. What I’m doing now, as the OG, I’ve been doing this since 1983. Nobody wants to step up and take responsibility for making sure another Juice WRLD and Mac Miller doesn’t happen again. Then I guess that I was given a microphone for a reason.

And that garners respect.

What to Make of All This

While many may disagree, there is extreme relevancy to the issue Darryl “DMC” brings forth. However, the world is not always going to understand. So, it will take people who are unafraid to step up and be an example. Kudos to Darryl for speaking up. However, it is with a sincere hope that his words inspire others to do more and take it one step further by becoming the change so desperately needed.

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Written by Renae Richardson

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Thirty-five years ago, Steven Van Zandt and his protest group Artists United Against Apartheid united to record “Sun City”.

What is Sun City?

“Sun City” is a 1985 protest song Van Zandt wrote in opposition to the Apartheid in South Africa. Sun City is a resort that was the target of a United Nations cultural boycott in protest of apartheid. Despite this, many American and British artists played at Sun City, effectively endorsing South Africa’s racist regime.

The track featured an all-star recording ensemble of artists from every genre of music, from Run DMC to Miles Davis and Bono, who all sang on the track. Van Zandt says it took two weeks to mix and wasn’t a break-out hit at first. “We hit our own apartheid on radio. Radio felt it was too black for white radio and too white for black radio,” said Van Zandt.

“The industry didn’t want hip-hop on the record”, said Steven Van Zandt

Van Zandt met resistance from the industry when it came to who would be on the song. According to him, industry executives were unpleased with his intentions to incorporate rappers on the track. (Hip-hop) was a very, very, very controversial thing at the time – rappers were not respected,” said Van Zandt.

Run DMC, DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Afrika Bambaataa, and Kurtis Blow were among the hip-hop artists who appeared on “Sun City,”. “When rap started I thought this was extremely important and we need to really endorse this and put them on the ‘Sun City’ record even though the industry was really in disbelief that I would put Melle Mel next to Miles Davis and Run DMC next to Bob Dylan,” Van Zandt said. “They didn’t understand it.”

Artists United Against Apartheid

Those hip hop acts joined with rock, R&B, jazz and Latin stars Bruce Springsteen, Clarence Clemons, Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, George Clinton, Bono, as well as many more. All in all, the album and single raised over a million dollars for anti-apartheid causes.”It completely re-energized the whole anti-apartheid movement,” Van Zandt recalled, “which had kind of hit a wall at that point and was not getting much traction.”.