Run-D.M.C.

Hip-hop trio Run-DMC were one of the most commercially and critically successful hip-hop acts of the 80s, and are credited by many as helping to popularise the then-underground genre. Run-DMC were the first rap act with a Top 5 single ("Walk This Way"), platinum ("King Of Rock") and multi-platinum ("Raising Hell") albums, the first rappers to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, and the first to be nominated for a Grammy.

Founded in New York City in 1983, they comprised DJ Run, D.M.C. and Jam Master Jay. Their debut single was the classic "It's Like That", which was later covered by Jason Nevins and enjoyed by a new generation. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1984 and is widely thought to be one of the greatest hip-hop debuts ever. King Of Rock (1985) was similarly appreciated, and indicated a move towards including rock and metal sounds within their music. Their peak came in 1986 with the release of third album Raising Hell. Its first single was a collaboration with Aerosmith over their song "Walk This Way", which reached No.4 in the pop charts - an unprecedented chart position for a hip-hop song. Raising Hell is often said to be one of the best hip-hop albums ever.

Tougher Than Leather (1988) sold platinum but didn't reach the heights of Raising Hell, and later albums contined to sell without impressing critics too much. In 2002, Jam Master Jay was murdered in his recording studio. DJ Run and D.M.C. have since decided to pursue solo careers.