DMC schools wannabe MCs

“If you pay your money to see these so-called rappers in concert and they don’t have a DJ,… “If you pay your money to see these so-called rappers in concert and they don’t have a DJ, you better ask for your money back – because it’s not really rap without a DJ!” Darryl McDaniels exclaimed.

McDaniels, also known as DMC from legendary hip-hop group Run DMC, taught a hip-hop 101 lesson in the William Pitt Union yesterday to 20 Pitt students, then gave a large lecture on the craft and artistry of hip-hop.

In the first session, McDaniels – who had turned in his Adidas jumpsuit and fedora for a Harley Davidson T-shirt, jeans and black boots – spoke for almost two hours to fans and aspiring musicians about the history of hip-hop and his personal experience.

On a white board, he defined rap as “words to be spoken over a beat played by a DJ for an MC.”

He elaborated that rap is the music of the hip-hop culture, which also includes break-dancing, graffiti and fashion, among other things.

“Hip-hop and rap music is the total expression of the life the b-boy or the b-girl lives, regardless of race, creed, color, religion and location,” McDaniels said.

“Run DMC did what we did because we knew what you wanted – be original, be different, be truthful, be creative, be innovative. Don’t be afraid to say what you want to say.”

“Unfortunately, we are at a very bad time for hip-hop music. People are claiming we’re running out of ideas. No, you’re just afraid to convey new ones,” McDaniels said.

“Real rap is supposed to accept the rapper who raps about lilies and lollipops,” he said.

“It’s all about the presentation.”

McDaniels stressed that hip-hop has two facets: information and identification.

“I have something to say. I need to be heard, but I want to be uniquely known for being the person who communicated that.

“If you want to be great in hip-hop, it’s not easy and it’s not hard,” he said.

“Look at what everyone else is doing and do something else.”

McDaniels explained how he first began working with Run DMC’s other frontman, Joseph “DJ Run” Simmons.

The pair began working together when Run came to his house to play basketball and noticed McDaniels had a turntable.

Run’s brother, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, told Run that when he graduated high school, he would let him make a record.

When Run read some lyrics McDaniels had written in English class, he told him he would put him on the record when the time came.

In the summer before he attended St. John’s University, the duo recorded their first single, “Sucker MC’s.”

McDaniels was in his college cafeteria when the record came on, and students began dancing.

Soon after, the duo went on tour and recorded a full album.

Run DMC became the first rappers to reach the top ten on the Billboard charts and to grace the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine.

At the end of the first session, McDaniels posed for pictures with students and chatted and signed autographs.

He even signed one girl’s Adidas sneakers.

In attendance were several student musicians, including rapper Nick Pratt, a.k.a. Yung Neo, rap producer Melvin Goins and R’B singer, Felicia Renae.

Pratt, a junior from Fort Worth, Texas, said he has started “the college boy movement,” where he raps about the things he and his peers are going through as Pitt students.

In his newest song “Half Price,” Pratt says of certain campus sports celebrities: “Being the man on campus must be nice, but deep inside we know you really half price.”

McDaniels, 43, who released a solo album called “Checks, Thugs and Rock and Roll” in 2006, plans to continue making records, writing books and making movies about hip-hop.

“Once a rapper always a rapper,” said McDaniels. “Does Bruce Springsteen stop because he’s 50? Do the Rolling Stones stop because they’re 80?”