Everyone knows Run DMC are legendary hiphop icons. Duh.

But do you know what all they broke down and broke out of, back in the day? These cats are ACCOMPLISHED.

Along with his friends Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels, and the late Jason “Jam-Master Jay” Mizell, joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons founded Run DMC in 1983.

With their first single titled “It’s Like That/Sucker MCs”, they were the first artists to cross over from the American hip hop scene to a mainstream audience, who were mostly into pop stars like Michael Jackson and Rick Springfield back then.

As I said before, they were the first of the firsts in hip hop.  Check out their game play:

1.  The first major rap group on American Bandstand
2.  The first rap group to have their song listed in the Top 40 chart
3.  The first rap group to enter Billboard Hot 100 more than once
4.  The first rap group to reach top ten on a pop chart
5.  The first rap group to release an RIAA-certified gold, platinum and multi platinum album.
6.  The first rap group to appear on “Rolling Stone” magazine cover
7.  The first rap group to be nominated for the Grammy Awards
8.  The first rap group appearing on MTV in a video
9.  The first rap group to sign a sneaker deal (now we know why the Simmons love sneakers so much!)

So after more than two decades of the group’s existence, Run DMC is now the second Hip-Hop group to be welcomed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!  Joel Peresman, the President & CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation,  says:

“This year’s class of inductees truly represents what the Hall of Fame is all about. From classic artists that began their careers in the 50’s and 60’s to those that have defined the modern sound of rock and roll.  These artists demonstrate the rich diversity of rock and roll itself.  We are proud to honor these artists and celebrate their contribution to rock and roll’s place in our culture,”.

They contribute to urban style too, even 25+ years later.  Check out Run DMC rockin it:

Wow he looks like his son JoJo Simmons in that first photo!

I LOOOOVVEEEE REV. RUN’S SWAAAGG!!!

About those untied sneaks, do you know where Rev. Run picked that up?

Well in an old interview, he once said that he knew that in prisons, they don’t allow shoe strings so most of the convicts wear stringless sneakers.  Rev. Run adopted that into his fashion statement -which of course was followed immediately by thousands (if not millions) of Run DMC fans.

Let’s not forget about Rev Run’s brother, Russell Simmons, who also managed Run DMC and according to wikipedia,  “has been instrumental in bringing the powerful influence of hip-hop culture to every facet of business and media since its inception in the late 1970s and has been listed as the most influential mogul in hip hop.”

Fast forward to 2009. Rev Run’s got daughters Vanessa and Angela Simmons with their successful Pastry Shoes business, uncle Russell Simmons who’s now known for his philanthropy, media and retail apparel ventures.  And don’t forget their fabulous aunt Kimora Lee Simmons who we all love.

Congratulations to Rev. Run and Run DMC:  it’s about time.