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Jason Nevins (born 1974) is an American DJ, producer and remixer, who is most widely known for his pop dance productions.

Career[link]

In the early 1990s, Nevins began releasing singles under various monikers through various dance labels, but achieved global recognition in 1998 with his production of Run-DMC's "It's Like That" originally from 1983, which was released under the title 'Run-DMC vs. Jason Nevins', reaching #1 in over 30 countries, including the German Top 100 and the UK Single Charts.^[1] It went on to sell five million copies.^{[citation needed]} The single also halted the Spice Girls (then record) run of six consecutive #1s with their first six singles, holding the Spice Girls' seventh release, "Stop", at #2.

Nevins followed up "It's Like That" with a string of hip-house remixes, with Run-DMC's "Tricky", 2 Live Crew's "We Want Some..." and Cypress Hill's "Insane In The Brain"; all featuring on his 1999 Sony album, Uni-Vs-Al (Universal). In 2001, he started to add a rock vibe to his remixes and productions, working on tracks for artists as varied as N.E.R.D, Duran Duran and The Bloodhound Gang. Nevins has also revisited producing his own work, with a release on the UK based Sanctuary Records, entitled The Funk Rocker, in October 2004, and reached airplay in Europe with his pseudonym, UKNY, with the track "I'm In Heaven", featuring vocals by Holly James. "Heaven" went to #9 Pop in the UK chart. Also off the Sanctuary album, "Im The Main Man", which featured parts from T Rex's Marc Bolan landed a Coors Light Beer advert throughout the Uk & Ireland. Coors launched the massive ad campaign using Nevins' track as the music for their commercial.

Nevins has had numerous songs and remixes used in films, television advertisements and video games. In 2007, Nevins collaborated with Dannii Minogue on "Touch Me Like That", with a video being shot at Pinewood Studios in London.

Discography[link]

Productions & Songwriting[link]

• Vicci Martinez - "I Can Love" (Universal Republic)[Produced & Co-written]
• Vicci Martinez - "Hold Me Darlin'" (Universal Republic)[Produced & Co-written]
• Runner Runner - "Unstoppable" (Capitol)[Co-written]
• Duran Duran "(Reach Up For The) Sunrise" - additional production on the album version [Additional Production]
• Jason Nevins feat. Greg Nice - "Candyman" (Ultra)[Produced & Co-Written]
• Jason Nevins - "Open Ur Mind" (Ultra)[Produced & Co-Written]
• Jason Nevins vs. Dannii Minogue - "Touch Me Like That" (AATW)[Produced & Co-Written]
• Jason Nevins feat. Holly James - "Im In Heaven" (Free2Air/ Edel)[Wrote & Produced]

Albums (as artist)[link]

• 1993: Red/Green CD
• 2000: Uni-Vs-Al (Universal)
• 2003: Pushing It Hard
• 2005: The Funk Rocker
• 2006: Pushing It Harder: The Lost Tapes

DJ Mixed compilations[link]

• 2007: High School Musical 2: Non-Stop Dance Party (Disney Records)
• 2009: Ultra.Dance, Vol. 10 (Ultra Music)
• 2009: Ultra Weekend 5 (Ultra Music)

Official remixes[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Jason Nevins official website
• Jason Nevins on Myspace
• αCharts.us entry

Run–D.M.C. was an American hip hop group from Hollis, Queens, New York, founded by Joseph "Run" Simmons, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, and Jason "Jam-Master Jay" Mizell. The group is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture.

Run–D.M.C. were one of the most well-known hip hop acts in the 1980s who, along with LL Cool J, signified the advent of the new school of hip hop music. They were the first group in the genre to have a gold album (Run–D.M.C., 1984) and be nominated for a Grammy Award.^[1] They were the first to earn a platinum record (King of Rock, 1985), the first to earn a multi-platinum certification (Raising Hell, 1986) the first to have videos on MTV, the first to appear on American Bandstand and the cover of Rolling Stone.^[2] The group was among the first to highlight the importance of the MC and DJ relationship.^[3][4] In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked them number 48 in their list of the greatest musical artists of all time.^[4]

In 2007, Run–D.M.C. was named "The Greatest Hip Hop Group of All Time" by MTV.com^[5] and "Greatest Hip Hop Artist of All Time" by VH1.^[6] On April 4, 2009, rapper Eminem inducted them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In doing so, Run–D.M.C. became only the second hip hop group in history to be inducted, after Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

The initials "D.M.C." are widely accepted to refer to Darryl McDaniels' initials.^{[citation needed]} In the 1985 album King of Rock's title track, McDaniels says the initials have two meanings: "Devastating Mic Control" and "D for never dirty, MC for mostly clean." He also makes a third reference "The 'D's for Doing it all of the time, the 'M's for the rhymes that all are Mine, The 'C's for Cool - cool as can be."

Career[link]

Early years[link]

The three members of Run–D.M.C. grew up in Hollis, Queens.^[4] As a teenager, Simmons was recruited into hip-hop by his older brother, Russell, who was then an up and coming hip-hop promoter. Simmons appeared onstage as a DJ for rapper Kurtis Blow, who was managed by Russell. Known as "DJ Run, Son of Kurtis Blow", Simmons soon began performing with Kurtis Blow.^[7] Previously, McDaniels had been more focused on athletics than music, but soon began to DJ after purchasing a set of turntables. Simmons convinced McDaniels to start rapping, and though McDaniels would not perform in public, he soon began writing rhymes and was known as "Easy D."

Simmons and McDaniels started hanging around Two-Fifths Park in Hollis in late 1980, hoping to rap for the local DJs that performed and competed there, and the most popular one known to frequent the park was Mizell, then known as "Jazzy Jase". Mizell was known for his flashy wardrobe and b-boy attitude, which led to minor legal troubles as a teen. Thereafter, he decided to pursue music full-time and began entertaining in the park soon after. Eventually, Simmons and McDaniels rapped in front of Mizell at the park, and the three became friends. Following Russell's success managing Kurtis Blow, he helped Run record his first single, a song called "Street Kid." The song went unnoticed, but despite the single's failure, Run's enthusiasm for hip-hop was growing. Simmons soon wanted to record again—-this time with McDaniels, but Russell refused, citing a dislike for D's rhyming style.^[7] After they completed high school and started college in 1982, Simmons and McDaniels finally convinced Russell to let them record as a duo, and they recruited Mizell (who now called himself Jam-Master Jay) to be their official DJ. A year later, in 1983, Russell agreed to help them record a new single and land a record deal, but only after he changed McDaniels' stage name to 'DMC' and marketed the group as "Run–D.M.C.", a name which, incidentally, the group hated at first. DMC said later, “We wanted to be the Dynamic Two, the Treacherous Two — when we heard that shit, we was like, �?We’re gonna be ruined!’ ”^[8]

After signing with Profile Records, Run–D.M.C. released their first single "It's Like That/Sucker MCs", in late 1983. The single was well received, peaking at #15 on the R&B charts.^[9] The trio performed the single on the New York Hot Tracks video show in 1983. Emboldened by their success, Run–D.M.C. released their eponymous debut Run–D.M.C. in 1984. Hit singles such as "Jam-Master Jay" and "Hard Times" proved that the group were more than a one-hit wonder, and the landmark single "Rock Box" was a groundbreaking fusion of raw hip-hop and hard rock that would become a cornerstone of the group's sound and paved the way for the rap rock movement of the late 1990s.

Run–D.M.C.'s swift ascension to the forefront of rap with a new sound and style meant that old school hip hop artists were becoming outdated. Along with pushing rap into a new direction musically, Run–D.M.C. changed the entire aesthetic of hip hop music and culture. Old school rappers like Afrika Bambaataa and Melle Mel of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five tended to dress in the flashy attire that was commonly attributed to rock and disco acts of the era: tight leather, chest-baring shirts, gloves and hats with rhinestones and spikes, leather boots, etc. Run–D.M.C. discarded the more glam aspects of early hip hop's look (which ironically, was later readopted in 1990 by more "pop" rappers MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice) and incorporated a more 'street' sense of style such as fedoras, leather jackets, and unlaced Adidas shoes.^[1] The group's look had been heavily influenced by Mizell's own personal style. When Russell Simmons saw Jay's flashy, yet street b-boy style, he insisted the entire group follow suit.^[10] Run said later:

That embrace of the look and style of the street would define the next 25 years of hip hop fashion.

[edit] King of Rock, Raising Hell and mainstream success

After the success of their first album, Run–D.M.C. looked to branch out on their follow-up. The release of King of Rock in 1985 saw the group furthering their rap-rock fusion on songs like "Can You Rock It Like This" and the title track; while "Roots, Rap, Reggae" was one of the first rap/dancehall hybrids. The music video for the single "Rock Box" was the first ever rap video to air on MTV and received heavy rotation from the channel. The song was the group's most popular hit at that point and the album was certified platinum. Run–D.M.C. performed at the legendary Live Aid benefit shortly after Rock Box was released.

In late 1985, Run–D.M.C. were featured in the hip hop film Krush Groove, a fictionalized re-telling of Russell Simmons' rise as a hip-hop entrepreneur and his struggles to get his own label, Def Jam Recordings, off of the ground. The film featured a young Blair Underwood as Russell, along with appearances by old-school legend Kurtis Blow, The Fat Boys, teen pop act New Edition, LL Cool J, Prince protegee Sheila E., and hip hop's first successful white rap group the Beastie Boys, who were signed to Simmons' Def Jam label. The movie was a hit and further proof of hip hop's continued mainstream visibility.

Returning to the studio in 1986, the group teamed with producer Rick Rubin for their third album. Rubin had just produced LL Cool J's debut album Radio. They later released their third album titled Raising Hell which became the group's most successful album and one of the best-selling rap albums of all-time. The album was certified double-platinum and peaked at number three on the charts.

They were almost done with the album, but Rubin thought that it needed an element that would appeal to rock fans as well. This spurred the lead single "Walk This Way", a cover of the classic hard rock song by Aerosmith. The original intention was to just rap over a sample of the song, but Rubin and Jay insisted on doing a complete cover version. Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were called to join Run–D.M.C. in the studio to add vocals and lead guitar, respectively. The song and video became one of the biggest hits of the '80s, reaching number four on the Hot 100, and cemented Run–D.M.C.'s crossover status. It also resurrected Aerosmith's career.^[12] The single "My Adidas" led to the group signing a $1.6 million endorsement deal with athletic apparel brand Adidas. Adidas formed a long-term relationship with Run–D.M.C. and hip hop.^[13]

The success of Raising Hell is often credited with kick-starting hip hop's golden age, when rap music's visibility, variety, and commercial viability exploded onto the national stage and became a global phenomenon. Their success paved the way for acts like LL Cool J and the Beastie Boys. The group toured in the wake of the album's success, but the Raising Hell Tour was marred by violence, particularly fights between rival street gangs in places like Los Angeles. Though Run–D.M.C.'s lyrics had been angry, menacing, violent, hostile, confrontational and aggressive, they typically denounced crime and ignorance, but the media began to blame the group for the incidents. In the wake of the violence, Run–D.M.C. would call for a day of peace between the gangs in L.A.

A detailed description of the lead-up to Run-DMC's call for a day of peace comprises the introduction to "Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC" by Bill Adler (Consafos Press 2002).^[14] Referring to the book's original 1987 publication in a Rolling Stone review pegged to the book's republication in 2002, the critic Jon Caramanica wrote, "It might well be the most comprehensive biography ever written about a pop act while it was still in its prime."^[15]

[edit] Tougher Than Leather, changing times

After spending 1987 on tour supporting Raising Hell, Run–D.M.C. released Tougher Than Leather in 1988. The album saw the group discarding much of its rap rock leanings for a grittier, more sample-heavy sound. Despite not selling as well as its predecessor, the album boasted several strong singles, including "Run's House", "Beats to the Rhyme", and "Mary Mary." Though at the time considered a disappointing follow-up to the blockbuster Raising Hell, the album has grown in stature. In the 2000 liner notes for the album's re-release, Chuck D. of Public Enemy would call the album "...a spectacular performance against all odds and expectations."^[16]

Later in 1988, the group made their second film appearance in Tougher Than Leather, a would-be crime caper that was directed by Rick Rubin and featured special guest performances by the Beastie Boys and Slick Rick. The film bombed at the box office, but strengthened the indirect relationship between Run–D.M.C. and the Def Jam label.

Though the group itself was never signed to the label, they were managed by Russell Simmons, produced by Rick Rubin (who was co-founder of Def Jam, along with Simmons), and often shared concert tour spotlight with acts on the label's roster.

Amidst the changing times and sliding sales, Run–D.M.C. released Back from Hell in 1990. The album was the worst-reviewed of their career, as the group tried to re-create itself musically with ill-advised forays into New Jack Swing (a then-popular style of production that sonically merged hip hop and contemporary R&B) and sometimes-preachy lyrical content. The two singles released, the anti-drug, anti-crime song "Pause" and street narrative "The Ave", had little success, and the group began to look outdated. Reeling from their first taste of failure, personal problems began to surface for the trio. McDaniels, who had been a heavy drinker in recent years, was losing control to alcoholism. Jay was involved in a life-threatening car accident and survived two gunshot wounds after an incident in 1990. In 1991, Simmons was charged with raping a college student in Ohio, though the charges were later dropped.^[17] He was also battling depression and would frequently mix poison^{[citation needed]} with Coca Cola—his signature drink—later coined "The Jimmy Simmons".

With so much personal chaos and professional uncertainty, the members turned to faith to try and steady their lives. Both Simmons and McDaniels joined the church, with Run becoming especially devoted following his legal troubles and the toll it took on his finances.^[18] Needing to start from scratch, they just spent time enjoying themselves with one another.

After a three-year hiatus that seemingly saw rap music move on without them, the rejuvenated Run–D.M.C. returned in 1993 with Down With the King. Building on the gritty sound of Tougher Than Leather, and adding some subtle religious references, the album featured guest appearances and production by several hip hop notables (including Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, and Jermaine Dupri). Buoyed by the title track and first single, the album entered the charts at #1 and number 7 on the pop charts, Run D.M.C. had returned to the airwaves.^[12]

Even though the album went platinum, the song proved to be their last hit. Jam-Master Jay also found success on his own; he had founded his own label JMJ Records, and discovered and produced the group Onyx, which had tremendous success in 1993 following the release of their hit single, "Slam." Later that same year, Run became an ordained minister, and in 1995 the iconic group appeared in The Show, a Def Jam-produced documentary that featured several of hip hop's biggest acts discussing the lifestyle and sacrifices of the industry.

Later years, break-up[link]

Over the next few years, the group did very little recording. Mizell produced and mentored up and coming artists, including; Onyx, and 50 Cent, who he eventually signed to the JMJ label. Simmons got divorced, re-married, and began to focus on his spiritual and philanthropic endeavors by becoming a reverend. He also wrote a book along side his brother Russell.^[1] McDaniels, also married, made an appearance on the Notorious B.I.G.'s 1997 double-album Life After Death, and focused on raising his family.

Though the group continued to tour around the world, over a decade of living a rap superstar lifestyle was beginning to take a toll on McDaniels. He was beginning to tire of Run–D.M.C., and there was increased friction between him and Simmons, who was eager to return to recording. (Simmons had at this time adopted the moniker "Rev. Run" in light of his religious conversion.) While on tour in Europe in 1997, McDaniels ongoing battle with substance abuse led to a bout of severe depression, which spurred an addiction to prescription drugs. McDaniels' depression continued for years, so much so that he contemplated suicide.^[19]

In 1997, producer and remixer Jason Nevins remixed "It's Tricky" and "It's Like That". Nevins' remix of "It's Like That" hit number 1 in the United Kingdom, Germany, and many other European countries. A video was made for "It's Like That", although no new footage of Run–D.M.C. appeared in it. In 1999, Run–D.M.C. recorded the theme song for WWE wrestling stable D-Generation X entitled "The Kings". They also made an appearance in a rare version of the music video "Bodyrock" by Moby. Their version of "The Kings" was included on the album, WWF Aggression (2000).

Soon after, the group finally returned to the studio, but in an increasingly tense environment, as Simmons and McDaniels' differences had begun to show. In the wake of the exploding popularity of rap rock artists like KoRn, Limp Bizkit, and Kid Rock, Simmons wanted to return to the aggressive, hard rock-tinged sound that made the group famous. McDaniels — who had become a fan of thoughtful singer-songwriters like John Lennon, Harry Chapin, and Sarah McLachlan — wanted to go in a more introspective direction. Appearing on VH1's popular documentary series Behind The Music in early 2000, McDaniels confirmed that he was creatively frustrated and highlighted some songs that he was recording on his own. The continued friction led to McDaniels sitting out most of the group's recording sessions in protest.

Simmons, in defiance, recorded material anyway, inviting several guest stars such as Kid Rock, Jermaine Dupri, Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind, Method Man, and fellow Queens MCs Nas and Prodigy of Mobb Deep to contribute to the project. The resultant album, Crown Royal, was delayed due to the personal problems, and when it was finally released in 2001, it featured only three appearances by DMC. Despite no major singles, the album initially sold well. However, many critics blasted the lack of DMC's involvement, and fans questioned whether this was a 'true' Run–D.M.C. album, only being released as one for contractual purposes. Some positive reviews were published: Entertainment Weekly noted that "on this hip-hop roast, new schoolers Nas and Fat Joe pay their respects with sparkling grooves....Run's rhymes are still limber."^[20]

After Crown Royal, the group embarked on a worldwide tour with their "Walk This Way" compatriots, Aerosmith. The tour was a rousing success, celebrating the collaboration between the two acts and acknowledging the innumerable amount of rap and rock acts that had been influenced by their seminal hit 15 years prior. Even though he had little to do with the album, McDaniels was relishing the stage; he had been suffering from an inoperable vocal disorder that had rendered his once-booming voice a strained mumble. Performing allowed McDaniels to come out of his depression and he appeared revitalized on the tour. There was even talk of Run–D.M.C. finally signing with the Def Jam label, which by then was no longer held by its original founders.

Simmons, however, had been growing increasingly tired of hip-hop. His family was growing, and he was assisting with his brother Russell's Phat Farm clothing imprint, making Run–D.M.C. less of a priority. Aerosmith was beginning to discuss extending the successful tour, but while on the bus headed to another performance, Simmons announced that he was leaving and was not interested in returning. To the others' shock, Run was reported as having said, "Yo, tomorrow, we're gonna tell [Aerosmith] we ain't gonna do the tour. We're gonna go home. Y'all have to figure out what y'all are gonna do. Because I don't want to perform no more."^[21] Despite the protests of McDaniels, Mizell, and Tyler, Simmons was adamant. Their touring career at the time seemed over, and it was uncertain whether the trio would ever record again.

On October 30, 2002, Jam-Master Jay was shot and killed at his recording studio in Queens.^[22] Outside the studio where the murder occurred, fans and friends gathered and left Adidas sneakers, albums, and flowers for the legendary DJ. Mourners respected him as a family man who stayed out of trouble. The homicide has yet to be solved, echoing the unsolved murders of fellow hip hop titans The Notorious B.I.G. and 2Pac. In the aftermath, Run and DMC announced that the group was officially disbanding, and they retired the Run–D.M.C. moniker.^[23]

Biopic[link]

Following the success of Notorious, it has been announced that a Run–D.M.C. biopic is in production. The film is rumored to depict the life and story of the group beginning from their inception in Hollis, Queens, and leading up to the 2002 murder of Jam-Master Jay.^[24]

Post-breakup[link]

In 2004, Run-DMC were one of the first acts honored on the first annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors, alongside legends like 2Pac and the Sugarhill Gang. The Beastie Boys paid tribute. Simmons did not attend the show; he was recording his first solo album, Distortion. It was released in 2005 to strong reviews and moderate sales.^{[citation needed]}

McDaniels also released a solo album, 'Checks Thugs and Rock N Roll', which was slightly less successful.^{[citation needed]} He had recently discovered that he was adopted, which lead him to be the center of the VH1 program My Adoption Journey, a documentary chronicling his re-connection with his biological family. McDaniels was also featured in the 2008 video game, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, making appearances in the songs "Walk this Way" and "King of Rock". He frequently contributed to VH1 programs such as the I Love The... series, and he released the song "Rock Show" featuring singer Stephan Jenkins.

Simmons also turned to television, starring in Run's House, a reality show that followed his life as a father and husband. The show has become one of the most popular on MTV^{[citation needed]}, and it made reality TV stars out of his daughters Vanessa and Angela.

In June 2007, McDaniels appeared with Aerosmith performing "Walk This Way" for their encore at the Hard Rock Calling festival in London, England. Simmons joined Kid Rock's 2008 Rock N Roll Revival Tour, performing "It's Like That", "It's Tricky", "You Be Illin'", "Run's House", "Here We Go", "King of Rock" and "Walk This Way" with Kid Rock. They also covered "For What It's Worth" at the end of the show.

In 2007, Mizell's wife, Terry, Simmons, and McDaniels also launched the J.A.M. Awards in Jay's memory. Jay's vision for social Justice, Arts and Music was promoted by many recording artists, including Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, Raekwon, Jim Jones, M.O.P., Papoose, Everlast, DJ Muggs, Kid Capri, De La Soul, Mobb Deep, EPMD, Dead Prez, Biz Markie and Marley Marl. In October 2008, Mizell's one-time protege 50 Cent announced plans to produce a documentary about his fallen mentor.^[25]

In 2008 Run–D.M.C. was nominated for 2009 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On January 14, 2009, it was confirmed that Run–D.M.C. would be one of the five inductees to the Rock Hall.^[26] On April 3, 2009, Run–D.M.C. became the second rap act to be awarded the honor (after Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, who were inducted in 2007).^[27] It was also announced that Simmons and McDaniels will perform with The Roots at their annual "picnic" show on June 5, 2010.

Legacy[link]

Adidas sneakers with the Run–D.M.C. logo

Allmusic.com's Stephen Thomas Erlewine states that "...More than any other hip-hop group, Run-D.M.C. are responsible for the sound and style of the [hip-hop] music."^[28] Musically, they moved hip hop and rap music away from the funk and disco-oriented sound of its beginnings, into an altogether new and unique sonic imprint. Their sound is directly responsible for intentionally transforming rap music from dance-and club-oriented funk grooves like "Rapper's Delight" and "The Breaks" to an aggressive, less-danceable approach. Characterized by sparse, hard-hitting beats—as typified on hits like "It's Like That", and "Peter Piper"—this would form the foundation of hardcore hip hop (particularly hardcore East Coast hip hop).

As such, Run–D.M.C. is considered the originators of the style, and hardcore hip hop would dominate the next two decades of rap music, from the bombastic, noisy sound of Public Enemy and stripped minimalism of Boogie Down Productions to the thump of early Wu-Tang Clan and Nas. Their influence was not limited to the East Coast, however. L.A.'s N.W.A., on their landmark 1988 album Straight Outta Compton, showed heavy influences from Tougher Than Leather-era Run–D.M.C., and Chicano rap act Cypress Hill were definitely influenced by Run–D.M.C.'s fusion of rap and rock.

Early on, the group rarely sampled and rarely looped anything over their skeletal beats, and the funky minimalism of major producers, such as Timbaland and The Neptunes, is drawn from Run–D.M.C.'s fundamental sound. Rap rock fusion proved to be influential among rock artists, with '80s bands like Faith No More, Anthrax (whose collaboration with Public Enemy on "Bring the Noise" was directly influenced by "Walk This Way"^{[citation needed]}) and the Red Hot Chili Peppers adding elements of rap to alternative rock and heavy metal. Most notably, the rap rock genre became popular in the late 1990s, with bands like Rage Against the Machine, KoRn, Sublime, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park and, most recently^[when?], Hollywood Undead gaining worldwide popularity by furthering Run–D.M.C.'s template of aggressive rhymes over hard rock riffs.

Aesthetically, they changed the way rappers presented themselves. Onstage, Old school rappers had previously performed in flashy attire and colorful costumes, typically had a live band and, in the case of acts like Whodini, had background dancers. Run–D.M.C. performed with only Run and DMC out front, and Jam-Master Jay on the turntables behind them, in what is now considered the 'classic' hip hop stage setup: two turntables and microphones. They embraced the look and style of the street by wearing jeans, lace-less Adidas sneakers, and their trademark black fedoras. The group shunned both the over-the-top wardrobe of previous rap stars like the Furious Five and Afrika Bambaataa, and the silk-shirted, jheri curled, ladies' man look of rappers like Kurtis Blow and Spoonie Gee. Followers of their style included LL Cool J and the Beastie Boys; seemingly overnight, rappers were wearing jeans and sneakers instead of rhinestones and leather outfits. From Adidas track suits and rope chains to baggy jeans and Timberland footwear, hip hop's look remained married to the styles of the street.

According to the Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll:

Historically, the group achieved a number of notable firsts in hip hop music and are credited with being the act most responsible for pushing hip hop into mainstream popular music, initiating its musical and artistic evolution and enabling its growth as a global phenomenon. Run–D.M.C. is the first rap act to have reached a number of major accomplishments:^[29]

• A #1 R&B charting rap album
• The second rap act to appear on American Bandstand (the Sugar Hill Gang appeared first on the program in 1981)
• The first rap act to chart in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 more than once
• The first rap artist with a Top 10 pop charting rap album
• The first rap artist with gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums
• The first rap act to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine
• (one of) The first rap act(s) to receive a Grammy Award nomination
• The first rap act to make a video appearance on MTV
• The first rap act to perform at a major arena
• Signed to a major product endorsement deal (Adidas)
• The second rap act to be inducted into the Rock and roll hall of fame

Discography[link]

• Run–D.M.C. (1984)
• King of Rock (1985)
• Raising Hell (1986)
• Tougher Than Leather (1988)
• Back from Hell (1990)
• Down with the King (1993)
• Crown Royal (2001)

Filmography[link]

• Krush Groove (1984)
• Tougher Than Leather (film) (1988)
• Who's The Man (1993)

Bibliography[link]

• Adler, B(ill), “Tougher Than Leather: The Authorized Biography of Run-DMC,” New American Library, 1987.
• Adler, Bill, “Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC,” Consafos Press, 2002. (This title is an update of “Tougher Than Leather: The Authorized Biography of Run-DMC.”)
• Brown, Terrell, “Reverend Run (Run-DMC),” Mason Crest Publishers, 2008.
• McDaniels, Darryl (with Haring, Bruce), “King of Rock: Respect, Responsibility, and My Life with Run-DMC,” Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press, 2001.
• Reverend Run, The (with Taylor, Curtis L.), “It’s Like That: A Spiritual Memoir,” St. Martin’s Press, 2000.
• Ro, Ronin, “Raising Hell: The Reign, Ruin, and Redemption of Run-DMC and Jam Master Jay,” Amistad, 2005.
• Thigpen, David E., “Jam Master Jay: The Heart of Hip-Hop,” Pocket Books, 2003.

See also[link]

• List of best-selling music artists

Notes[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Run–D.M.C. discography at Discogs
• Official website of DMC
• Jam-Master Jay, 1965–2002 – Harry Allen reflects on the passing of JMJ and the impact of Run–D.M.C.

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2012)

Mary Mary
Mary Mary performing at the White House in 2005
Background information
Also known as	The Campbell Sisters
Origin	Inglewood, California, United States
Genres	Contemporary Gospel, R&B, soul, jazz
Occupations	Singers, songwriters
Instruments	Voice
Years active	1998–present
Labels	C2, Columbia
Associated acts	Warryn Campbell
Website	Mary-Mary.com
Members
Erica Atkins-Campbell Trecina "Tina" Atkins-Campbell

Mary Mary is an American gospel music duo, consisting of sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell (born (1972-04-29)April 29, 1972)^[1] and Tina Atkins-Campbell (born (1974-05-02)May 2, 1974).^[1] The duo are often credited along with Kirk Franklin for broadening the fan base of urban contemporary gospel in the 2000s by introducing elements of soul music, hip hop, funk and jazz. Mary Mary broke onto the music scene with their popular song "Shackles (Praise You)"—which is considered one of the pioneering songs of urban contemporary gospel music.^[2]

Their debut album Thankful (2000) was certified Platinum. The duo has released three Gold albums: Incredible (2002), and Mary Mary (2005), which all charted No. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums. They have also received three Grammys, among other awards.

Early years[link]

The sisters were born Erica Monique Atkins and Tina Evette Atkins. The Atkins sisters grew up as part of a large family of nine children in Inglewood, California. Their parents are mother, Thomasina, an evangelist and choir director at the Evangelistic Church of God in Christ, and father, Eddie, a youth minister.

Due to their proximity in age, the two sisters grew up closer to one another than to any of their seven siblings.^[1] The Atkins children are: Darrel (born 1965; the only living boy – as the second boy had died as a child); Maliea (born 1967); Erica and Tina (born 1972 & 1974); Delisa (who was originally a third member); Thomasina (born 1979); Alana (born 1985) and Shanta (born 1986). Thomasina and Alana sometimes sing back up for their big sisters.^[1]

The sisters quickly entered the world of church choirs, traveling gospel shows, and some television productions. All eight Atkins children were on the Bobby Jones Gospel show on BET.

The sisters had their sights set on making music a career and enrolled at El Camino College to study voice. There they ran up against the divide between academic music studies and the popular musical world. "We had to study classical and sing arias, which was fine," Erica told the Times, "but the teachers would tell us if we sang anything else it would damage our instrument".

The sisters toured with the 1995 Michael Matthews traveling gospel show Mama I'm Sorry and Sneaky. Each sister subsequently toured as a backup singer for a variety of R&B acts including Brandy.

Music career[link]

A meeting with producer Warryn Campbell led to their song publishing deal with the giant EMI music conglomerate and a series of songs that landed on movie soundtracks. They wrote "Dance" and performed it with Robin S. for the soundtrack to the 1998 film Dr. Dolittle; they performed "Let Go, Let God" for The Prince of Egypt. Several of their songs were recorded by 702. The sisters' profile in the gospel industry was raised when their songs "Time To Change" and "Yeah" were recorded by Yolanda Adams on Mountain High... Valley Low. At the same time, Mary Mary as a musical entity took shape. They have won multiple awards, including three Grammys. On December 23, 2010, Mary Mary along with Bebe & Cece Winans featuring the West Angeles Church of God in Christ Choir performed on The Tonight Show.^[3]

[edit] Thankful (2000)

The duo was subsequently signed to Columbia Records/C2 Records and decided to perform under the name Mary Mary, honoring Mary, the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. They were first gospel act to record for the industry giant Columbia Records since Tramaine Hawkins in the mid-1990s. Their first single, "Shackles (Praise You)" became a crossover hit, being popular with gospel, R&B, and pop audiences. It was a Top 5 R&B and Top 10 pop hit, and peaked at No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It became the first gospel song in five years to crack the R&B top ten and gained wide exposure on the MTV video cable channel. The album was a huge success because it offered a younger, hipper version of gospel that audiences could relate to. Their debut album, Thankful was released in May 2000. It peaked at No. 1 on the Gospel album chart and at No. 59 of the overall Top 200 chart, and was certified Platinum for shipments of one million copies in the USA. It went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. The second single "I Sings" features rapper BB Jay. Both singles were also hits in the UK and Europe, and to this day remain popular with Christian youths in the US, Latin America, and Europe. Their only Top 10 UK hit to date is "Shackles (Praise You)", which reached No. 5 in the UK Singles Chart in June 2000. The follow-up "I Sings" peaked at UK No. 32.^[4]

[edit] Incredible (2002)

With their second album Incredible, the duo was able to maintain their success. Soon after its July 2002 release it was No. 1 on the Gospel chart and was able to enter the Top 20 of the Top 200 album chart. Incredible was later on certified Gold for 500,000 copies sold in the United States. The album's singles were In The Morning and I Try. While this album charted higher than their debut, sales were lower. The duo attributed the lower sales to less aggressive promotion due to label switchovers and the advent of music piracy.

[edit] Mary Mary and A Mary Mary Christmas (2005–06)

After taking time off to have children, Mary Mary released their self-titled third album, Mary Mary, in July 2005. It became the duo's first album to enter the Top 10 on Billboard and was later on certified Gold for sales of 500,000 copies. The first single "Heaven" contained a sample from seventies soul trio the Honey Cone's "Want Ads". Heaven made history and broke chart records as it had an unprecedented nine week run as the No. 1 record on Billboard's Gospel Radio chart. The second single, "The Real Party" debuted at No. 43 on the Gospel Radio Chart. The third single, "Yesterday", also became a hit, especially on the Adult R&B charts where it peaked at No. 10. On the R&B/Hip Hop chart, the song became their second biggest hit since "Shackles" in 2000, reaching the No. 50. The album's final single, "Believer" indicated testimonies of being a Christian. The song hit No. 33 on the Gospel Radio chart.

On October 10, 2006, the duo released their fourth studio album, a Christmas project entitled A Mary Mary Christmas.

[edit] The Sound (2008)

On October 21, 2008, the recording group released their fifth studio album, The Sound.^[5][6] The lead single "Get Up" was released digitally via iTunes on July 15, 2008. The Sound saw Mary Mary achieve even greater success in the mainstream market; the album sold over 37,000 copies in its first week, and was their best charting album to date, debuting No. 7 on the Billboard 200, No. 2 on the US R&B chart, and topping the gospel and CCM charts. The album held the No. 1 position on the Billboard Gospel Album chart for over six months since its release.^[7] Warryn Campbell again returned to produce the album and saw collaborations with Kierra Sheard, David Banner, Marvin Winans, Daryl Coley, Andrae Crouch, Rance Allen, Dorinda Clark Cole, Joe Ligon, Walter Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins, and Karen Clark Sheard. In Spring 2009 "God In Me" began achieving crossover success (as Shackles had nine years earlier), reaching No. 5 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and No. 1 on the Hot Dance Club Play.

The duo (along with Warryn Campbell) was nominated as songwriters at the 52nd Grammy Awards in the Best Gospel Song category for "God in Me" while the Israel Houghton song they were featured on "Every Prayer" was also nominated. They went on to win the award. After the awards, they were invited to participate in the remake of We Are The World to benefit Haiti after the earthquake. The album also won Mary Mary four Stellar Awards on January 16, 2010.

[edit] Something Big (2011)

In 2009, Mary Mary commenced recording their sixth studio album. Originally titled OMG, the project was renamed Something Big after R&B singer Usher had a hit single, "OMG" in 2010. The album was released on March 29, 2011. The duo released the lead single, "Walking," in the fall of 2010. A video was shot in January 2011 in Santa Ana, CA.^[8] Mary Mary debuted the title track "Something Big" on the BET Celebration of Gospel 2011, while "Something Bigger" served as a B-side to "Walking". The second single from the album was "Survive." The video debuted on July 27, 2011.

[edit] Go Get It (2012)

On February 13, 2012, Mary Mary debuted their new single, "Go Get It", from the album of the same name, in a special performance in Los Angeles, California. The performance also rounded out the final episode of their upcoming reality TV series. The album is slated for a May 2012 release. This album will feature one other new track, along with remixed and remastered Mary Mary hits.

Discography[link]

• 2000: Thankful
• 2002: Incredible
• 2005: Mary Mary
• 2006: A Mary Mary Christmas
• 2008: The Sound
• 2011: Something Big
• 2012: Go Get It

Music videos[link]

See Mary Mary videography

Awards[link]

Personal life[link]

Both sisters are married to unrelated men with the last name Campbell.^[9]

Tina is married to Teddy (who has a daughter Cierra (b 1994) from a previous relationship—that lives in Chicago with birth mom and visits her father every summer). Their daughter Laiah Simone Campbell was born on Tuesday, September 9, 2003.^[10] Second daughter Meela Jane was born on June 11, 2007.^[11][12] On October 20, 2009 their son Ted Jr was born.^[13][14] Tina and her husband are currently expecting their fourth child together due in August 2012.^[15]

Erica married their record producer Warryn Campbell on May 26, 2001. On September 13, 2004, Erica gave birth to their first child, Krista Nicole Campbell. On April 24, 2010, she gave birth to the couple's second child, Warryn Campbell III.^[16] On Tuesday July 19, 2011 Erica announced on Good Morning America that she is pregnant with their third child.^[17] She gave birth early to a girl, Zaya Monique, on January 24, 2012.^[18]

Literature[link]

In November 2003, the sisters released their biography Transparent.^[19]

In April 2010, the sisters released the book, Be U via Simon & Schuster.^[20]

Controversy and criticism[link]

Although the Campbell sisters have been in the urban Gospel industry for years, they began to be criticized for their "worldly" sound beginning with the song "God in Me", and allegations that the song promoted "prosperity gospel". ^[21]

The controversy began when they worked with T-Pain for "God in Me". Since then the sister duo has said in interviews that they would like to work with more secular artists, including T.I. ^[22]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Mary-Mary.com - Official Website