← Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight
Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight
"The Heart and Soul of Darryl "DMC" McDaniels"
00:22:23
Loading summary
Transcript52 lines
- [00:00]
Host 1
Please welcome aboard the Johnson family.
- [00:03]
Host 2
The whole fam's here for the Disney Cruise. So you know, we came to play. And listen, the adults are gonna have a ball. First we're chilling in the infinity pool, onto massages at Sense's spa, then gliding into Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge for a toast. We're even gonna kick back with Mickey on Disney's private island. That's how we get down. Cause Disney Cruise Line is where we came to play.
- [00:30]
Host 1
Where'd you get those shoes? Easy. They're from dsw. Because DSW has the exact right shoes for whatever you're into right now. You know, like the sneakers that make office hours feel like happy hour, the boots that turn grocery aisles into runways, and all the styles that show off the many sides of you, from daydreamer to multitasker and everything in between. Because you do it all in really great shoes. Find a shoe for every you at your DSW store or DSW.com Are you.
- [01:01]
Host 3
Still quoting 30 year old movies? Have you said cool beans in the past 90 days? Do you think Discover isn't widely accepted? If this sounds like you, you're stuck in the past. Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide. And every time you make a purchase with your card, you automatically earn cash back. Welcome to the now it pays to Discover. Learn more@discover.com credit card based on the February 2024 Nilsson report.
- [01:29]
Grant
I'm Grant and I'm your new Bachelor. ABC Mondays. Is this real? Is he real? The bachelor is back and the ladies are head over heels.
- [01:37]
Contestant 1
Tall, handsome, smart.
- [01:39]
Host 1
He's perfect.
- [01:40]
Grant
It's an all new season of romance. I'm 110% ready to fall in love. My love story is going to happen. And of course drama.
- [01:48]
Host 1
These other girls are dating my boyfriend.
- [01:49]
Grant
You act like you don't care.
- [01:51]
Contestant 1
He knows how I feel.
- [01:52]
Grant
I did not know how hard this was going to be. The Bachelor Mondays, 8, 7 Central on AB and stream on Hulu.
- [01:59]
Buzz Knight
Taking a walk.
- [02:00]
Grant
There has to be with or without knowing. There are so many similarities that will. That is the reason why the collaboration is happening in the first place. It was meant to be. It was predestined. So that I think that is the special, unique, characteristic catalyst of making a collaboration something that will be authentic and effective.
- [02:31]
Buzz Knight
Welcome to another exciting episode of Taking a Walk. Music history on foot. Today we're thrilled to have a true hip hop legend joining us. Darrell DMC McDaniels of the groundbreaking group run DMC. Darryl McDaniels is not just a founding member of one of the most influential hip hop groups of all time. He's also a multifaceted artist whose impact extends far beyond music. From his humble beginnings in Hollis, Queens to becoming a pioneer who helped bring hip hop to the mainstream, DMC's journey is an inspiring and fascinating one. In this episode, Buzz will talk with Darrell about his remarkable career, including Run DMC's Rise to Fame, their groundbreaking collaborations, and their induction into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame. Here's Buzz Knight with DMC on taking a walk.
- [03:25]
DMC
Dee, thanks for taking a walk here.
- [03:28]
Grant
I love taking a walk. I'm very good at walking this way. I love that.
- [03:34]
DMC
So if you were to take a walk with someone, living or dead in the world of music, who would that be with? And where would you take that walk?
- [03:47]
Grant
Man, if I was to take a walk with someone in music, living or dead, who would it have to be? Probably just John Lennon of the Beatles. Because one thing I liked about John Lennon is outside of all the media and the Beatles breaking up and stuff like that, he was very. He was very courageous. And the guy that sleeps naked in the bed with his wife to protest the war, that's somebody that I would like to get some advice from.
- [04:23]
DMC
It's a statement, right?
- [04:24]
Grant
Oh, for sure. No, it's a huge statement. It's a huge. And it goes along with all the artists, you know, that are these celebrities. But not from a political or divisive or aggressive attacking standpoint, to just make songs about the issues from the Dillons, from the Fogarties and stuff like that. But it would have to be John Lennon. And from the point of. I love what he did after he left the Beatles.
- [04:53]
DMC
Where do you think maybe you guys would take your walk?
- [04:57]
Grant
Me and John Leonard, we would probably walk through the streets of New York City for sure. And, you know, if we was to do that, it's crazy. If he was still alive, imagine DMC and John Lennon just walked down Houston or just walk down. We saw DMC and John Lennon in a village, just walking and talking.
- [05:22]
DMC
Now I have chills. Just kind of envisioning that. And I think if that were to have happened, there would be some collaboration that would occur with you two gents.
- [05:33]
Grant
Do you 100? For sure, for sure. I would. I would have definitely collaborated with John Lennon for sure.
- [05:42]
DMC
Because you guys speak from the heart in a similar way. And.
- [05:47]
Grant
And we both wear glasses. I still wear glasses. I got contacts in. That would be crazy. Me and John Lennon said, we're about to Drop a record right now. That's crazy. I know. You know, in some. In another timeline or another dimension that's happening. Yeah, for sure.
- [06:06]
DMC
So what for you is the most magical creative day possible, as you sort of look at what you know is beautiful about life?
- [06:17]
Grant
My most magical creative day is probably going to a school and speaking to kids and telling them my story and having them go, wow, my mind is totally blown. Because it's not about selling records and making videos. That's my most magical creative day because that's always new to me. It's me connecting with the younger generation who only knows me through their mothers and fathers. And I've been around so long, their grandmothers and grandfathers know me. But it's amazing for me to go connect with them because a lot of them don't know Run dmc, But even from elementary and middle school kids, I'll go, how many of y'all know who I am? And it's about seven hands will go up out of 30. And then I'll tell them, y'all know more than you think y'all know. And I'm about to prove that right now, you know who I am. Matter of fact, we connected. What do we know? All I gotta do is start going, this speech is my recital. I think it's very vital to rock. And the whole class, the teachers and the principals be like, oh, my God, that's unbelievable. Join. Right? So they know the music in the song, but the reason why it's magical to me, they get to know me. I tell them I'm a kid, I'm 60, but I'm the same kid I was in the third grade, just like you. And they really resonate with that because now they can see, you mean who I am right now is going to be valuable to who I am when whatever career I am and I get it, I'll prove it to them.
- [08:02]
DMC
You know, I watched you in real time on our Music Save Me podcast with you and Lynn Hoffman and the artist Dylan Cartlidge from Glass Note how we connected you to. So those who listening to this, make sure you listen to that music Saved Me episode because it's pretty incredible. And as I observed that, I started thinking you and your ability to collaborate is also something really magical. What is the magic for you and the secret to collaboration?
- [08:39]
Grant
Oh, wow. Well, collaboration only is effective when one side or both of the collaborating parties has to have been inspired by or touched some way by the artist. It doesn't even necessarily have to be artistically. There has to Be with or without knowing. There are so many similarities that will. That is the reason why the collaboration is happening in the first place. It was meant to be. It was predestined so that. I think that is the special, unique characteristic catalyst of making a collaboration something that will be authentic and effective. And what I mean by that, there's so many collaborations throughout the history of collaborations that don't work because it wasn't authentic. And that happens with music. Oh, let's put this artist with this artist and nothing happens. And it's almost like when these artists passed away and they'll take the artist's lyrics that's left over and they'll go, oh, we gonna get Taylor Swift on this one. We gonna get Pharrell on this one. We're gonna get LL on this one. Oh, they never work. Cause it wasn't meant to be. They did that with a. I don't wanna say no names. They did that with a bunch of incredible artists. It happens a lot in hip hop. They did it and it has. Because it wasn't meant to be. No, leave that alone. You would have been better to just put the lyrics of the deceased artists out by themselves and loop them, as opposed to try collaboration. Because collaboration starts because of inspiration, which I just said. So collaboration leads to an elevation of something that it has nothing to do with a record sale or radio play. And that collaboration, the purpose of collaboration is for elevation and transformation of the people that receive the work. Now, like I said, throughout this collaboration, that's the worst thing you say as soon as you hear it, because it wasn't authentic. The Run DMC collaboration was very authentic. And we didn't. Me and Run didn't even know it was that deep. Now, if me and Run would have did the Walk this Way record over. Because we were inspired not by Aerosmith, we were just inspired by the album with the toys on it, number four. And the reason why it was number four was the rival DJ. The DJs would scratch the title of the record off the label so the rival DJ wouldn't see what beat you was playing. So all me and Run knew was the record that went with those guitars. We want to make that over. It was Rick Rubin who says, make the record over the way the band originally did that. So me and Run could have did it, that record over. Word for word to wait. But the beauty of the power, or the transformative evolution power of it was Rick went and got them to do it with us. So when you saw them in a video with Us. That was the game changer which led to what the evolution and the transformation and creation. Collaboration is all about. Creation, Run DMC and Aerosmith Collaborating gave birth to Rage against the Machine, limp bizkit, corn blowing 182 sum 41 so when it's not authentic, it's dead or it's powerless. Let me say that you recently had.
- [12:51]
DMC
A collaboration with the one and only Carlos Santana.
- [12:56]
Grant
Yes. Which came out of nowhere. And it was crazy.
- [12:59]
DMC
Talk about that collaboration, what it was like, and how that felt.
- [13:05]
Grant
Well, Santana is a real spiritual dude. That was like making. That was like making a record with the wise man who lives up on the mountain. But that came about through my friend, the drummer Narada, who has drums for everybody from Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, whatever. He saw what I was doing. It's funny, he saw what I was doing with the kids and with my organization, stuff like that. And he throws this big Christmas party every year to raise funds for charities. So he brought me on, we performed some of my records or whatever like that. We even performed the record that I did with Sarah McLachlan, which I talked to Lynn about. The Just Like Me song, what we did to Harry Chapin, Remix over and see, it's all about connection and similarities. Just from being around him, he was like, I gotta do something with you. And, you know, I thought it was just gonna be me and him. He comes back and says, yo, I got him called Carlos Santana. I mean, Santana was what dmc, I love that guy. I love what those guys are about. And then at first, it was going to be a record. It was going to be a tribute to Santana's wife. He was doing it. But the emotion, the collaboration, grew into a bigger purpose. He had to make it more universal. So what he was trying to express for his wife, Santana's, was to know we got to make sure everybody feels this. So collaboration is about participation. It's something that is not just for you or the two entities alone. It's for the universe. And that's how that came about.
- [14:58]
DMC
I love it.
- [14:59]
Grant
So I was on it. I was like, crazy. And then I was intimidated because I was like, I gotta make sure my rhyme is tight. And the other thing that's important about collaboration is don't get too intimidated. Collaboration works purpose. When you just do what you do. Don't. Don't let me try to do what Santana does. Santana ain't got to do what D does when we just do what we do, even though it's familiar to both of us, it Creates something new for everybody to experience. So collaboration is about new experiences for all parties involved, the creators and the receiver of the collaboration.
- [15:37]
DMC
Well, you as a creator had a recently new experience. And I want you to talk about your children's book. What that.
- [15:44]
Grant
Oh, yes.
- [15:45]
DMC
Was like and how the spirit of that, obviously at its core is your special love for. For children and connecting with them. But talk about this project and what it means to you, because we are all.
- [15:59]
Grant
We are all those kids that we are always. We are always the kids that we always are. I don't say were. We are always the kids that. So that came about because at first I was doing the paid college lecture set, you know what I'm saying? And I would go into the universities and it was a story, the Run dmc, hip hop culture, comic books. It was everything. Me and most of the cases thinking, I'm just coming here to talk about my Run DMC career. But then I go into being in Catholic school and being teased and bullied on and what it was like growing up in New York, 70s and 80s to walk this way. My Adidas and all of that. So this was on a page college lecture set. When I would finish, all of the people that hired me was like, the educators, you got to take this to the high schools. So you know me and Lynn knows me, okay? So I go to the high schools. Not for the paid, because I don't want to take money out of the school. So I go. The very same thing that I just did at the colleges that I got paid for. All of the issues, all the circumstances I do at the high schools. Teachers, parents. Oh, my God, what did he say to them? My kids attitude change, this and that. So now the high school principals and educators, you got to take this to the middle schools. So the very thing that I took to the high schools and the colleges and the high schools take to the middle schools. Yo, what's up? Yo, I'm Darryl McDaniels. I grew up in Queens, New York. Run DMC, those people, you gotta take this to the elementary schools. So when I was going into the elementary schools, I don't go in there and go, hi, kids. I'm the first rapper. No, I go in there and I'm Daryl McDaniels. But I knew I needed something that the kids. Because the middle schools, high schools and the colleges and everybody else, they got my albums, they got the videos. They know it's tricky. Even if the middle school kids don't know Run DMC themselves, their mothers and fathers and Grandmothers and grandfathers gave them a 410 lesson of know it all run DMC. So the kids are familiar with me. The younger elementary school kids don't know, you know, say, because they're. They are kindergarten, the fifth grade. But here's what they do know. Because of TikTok, because of Sonic the Hedgehog movies, any animated features that always put Tricky in there. They know me. So the kids, this generation of kids, I'm not Run dmc. Dmc. I'm DMC the. It's Tricky TikTok, Sonic the Movie man. So once they. He's the guy that did. So now I got him. So now I can go talk to them like they're my. I can talk to them like people I'm talking about. I sit there with first graders, second grader, third graders, fourth graders, and fifth graders. Yo, what's up, y'all? My name is Daryl, and I always do Q and A with him. So when I do Q and A, the questions isn't, do you know Taylor Swift? Do you know Justin Bieber? Or whatever. The question. So how did you feel when you got teased, bullied, and picked on? How did you feel when your mother told you, you have to go to be you? Can't stay up to wait. Can't stay up late to watch the movie. So I'm talking to them. I'm 60, but talking to them about the life that they're living presently. So the book came about because I would go to these elementary schools and speak and the two teachers who are now principals in their districts, Shawnee and John A. Warfield. I went and spoke at this school. They brought me back. And the second time I went back, they was like, d, this is crazy. You got to do a book. And I was like, no, I don't want to commercialize. And he did good at doing. He was like, okay. Brought me back a third time. And he was like, do you have to do a book? And I said, okay, here's the deal. I'll do the book, but I need you all to do it with me. Why? Because the teachers are with the kids on the front line. They know day to day how these kids. I got the story, but how do I communicate it to them? So we came up with an idea to do a book about me in the third grade. Getting teased Will he then picked on so the same way my generation had my albums and videos, the kids have the album. It's visual. It's a 3D experience. They can hear me speak to hear me read it they could hold it in their hands and then they could open up. So they get in a 3D experience that my story isn't a story about somebody or something that's out of their reach. I'm in the classroom, right with them. I'm in the lunchroom with them. I'm after school. So when they see my story, even as though it's dmc, that it's tricky TikTok man from the movie, they see me on their level, that I'm not above them or better than them. I'm one of them and they're one of me. So the book was a way to have something that the kids could hold, feel and see and live with. And the first book that's out now is called Daryl's Dream. It's available at every bookstore on Amazon. The next book we're putting out, we got two books coming. The next book is Young DMC's Christmas in Hollis, a Christmas book for next year. And then the next book about with the lesson is Daryl's Decision, where Daryl's in a situation in school, we have to make a decision between right and wrong. So out of that, I'm doing a whole series of book dealing with the issues that the kids all go through. And what's good about my book is a lot of the things that the kids are experiencing with my story will give them coping mechanisms when they get teenagers and adolescents, whether it's self esteem, adversity, how to communicate and deal with each other. If you start developing now, they will be able to dive into those coping mechanisms when they get into middle school, high school, and even when they become adults.
- [22:08]
DMC
Well, Dee, in closing, this is a perfect close. What would the wise D of today advice wise tell the young D of many years ago if you could kind of relive and give that advice?
- [22:24]
Grant
Oh, wow. Well, the first. I told this to a bunch of people on the radio. What I would do, the first thing I would say is that you don't have to do drugs to be cool. What I mean by that was my. My journey started with that. The addiction and stuff was like, I smoked my first joint because with me and Nathan, I was 12, Nathan was 8, Dexter was 15. So when he introduced the joints to us, to joint to us, we thought we had to do it to be cool and accepted. When I realized it's powerful when I hear Chuck D, a public enemy, go, I never got high a day in my life. When I hear Henry Rollins of Black Flag say, I never got higher, and I'm like, How can y'all be so powerful and credible? I'm realizing that's why they are. So I would tell Daryl, you don't have to do things that you don't want to do to be cool and impress people people or fit in. Because that's where a lot of my issues started. I wanted to be accepted and I wanted to be a troublemaker. Like I spoke. Lynn said it perfectly. Yeah, when I was with the therapist, all you had to do is say no. That's the best advice. You don't have to do anything that you don't feel good about doing.
- [23:52]
DMC
Dee, thank you for all. You continue to give us and inspire us and your generosity. And thanks for being on Take a thank you.
- [24:01]
Grant
Thank you for having me.
- [24:03]
Buzz Knight
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Taking a Walk podcast. Share this and other episodes with your friends and follow us so you never miss an episode. Taking a Walk is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts.
- [24:22]
Contestant 1
This is Jenny Garth from I Do Part two. Did you know that Future Health can help make weight loss resolutions come true? Future Health makes access to qualified doct that know GLP ones easier than ever and for less than $3 a day. Get started with a quick 3 minute survey at tryfh.com $3 a day and a 3 minute survey. Try fh.com Future Health is not a healthcare services provider. Meds are prescribed at providers discretion. Results may vary. Sponsored by Future Health Whether you're ordering.
- [24:55]
Host 4
Wings for the game, whipping up a seven layer dip, or ordering pizza, there's something about football that makes you want to eat. And this football season, Uber Eats has the best deals on game day food no matter what you're craving from two for one Pizza. To buy one get one Wings. Uber Eats will be dropping new deals each week all season long. Uber Eats Official on demand delivery partner of the NFL.
- [25:17]
Buzz Knight
Order now.
- [25:18]
Host 4
Terms and conditions apply. See app for details.
- [25:22]
Host 5
Did you know that parents rank financial literacy as the number one most difficult life skill to teach? Meet Greenlight, the debit card and money app for families with Greenlight, you can send money to kids quickly, set up chores automate allowance, and keep an eye on what your kids are spending with real time notifications. Kids learn to earn, save and spend wisely and parents can rest easy knowing their kids are learning about money with guardrails in place. Try Greenlight Risk free today@greenlight.com iheart hey.
- [25:53]
Ryan Seacrest
It'S Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. This new year makes sure you take some time to take care of yourself and your family now. Through January 28th save up to 25% on all your favorite personal care essentials. Shop in store or online and stock up on all your favorite items like Tresemme Shampoo, Axe Deodorant, Dove Bar Soap, Dove Men's Body Wash and Dove Dry Spray. And Save up to 25%. Offer ends January 28th. Restrictions apply. Promotions may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.