Darryl McDaniels; Kanye West.Photo:getty (2)
getty (2)
BeforeKanye Westhad Yeezy —Run-DMChad Adidas.
Speaking to PEOPLE at Garden of Laughs benefit in New York City on Wednesday night, Run-DMC’sDarryl McDanielsreflected on Run-DMC’s first performance at Madison Square Garden — where they had an iconic Adidas moment that connected rap music and sneakers for years to come.
“We held a sneaker up and we became the first non-athletic entity to receive a major endorsement from a sports apparel company,” McDaniels, 59, tells PEOPLE exclusively, before rapping about the impact this moment had on rap artists to follow — like West with his Yeezy shoe brand.
“No pearls, no braids… still get paid. I’m one of the reasons why Yeezys can be made. And that’s fact,” he says.
McDaniels adds, “I still remember it like yesterday. It was crazy. And what was crazy about performing here, 1986 at the Garden, we walked to the Garden from the hotel. So it was like being in our own neighborhood, having a cookout at the Garden.”
In aFebruary interviewwith McDaniels, he told PEOPLE that Adidas were “all I can wear” and recalled how “happy” he was when he got his first pair. After Run-DMC scored a deal with the brand — he quickly realized that their relationship was about bringing people together.
“When you put those sneakers on, it’s not about the product itself,” he continued. “It’s about the person with those sneakers on, hip-hop has given us the confidence to be enthusiastic about who you are.”
Darryl McDaniels in New York City in September 2023.Noam Galai/Getty
Noam Galai/Getty
This year’s sold-out Garden of Laughs benefit was the biggest fundraiser to date, raising more than $2 million for theGarden of Dreamsfoundation.
Elsewhere in his conversation with PEOPLE, McDaniels reflected on the 40th anniversary of Run-DMC’s debut album, which they celebrated on Wednesday.
“It feels great, but it feels like yesterday. Most people say, ‘Oh, that was a long time ago.’ It was a long time ago, but I still remember going to the studio to make that first album,” he says.
In addition to his music, McDaniels has been outspoken about the importance of mental health — and he plans to continue to push the message.
“The reason why is, first of all, as DMC, the mighty king of rock, the greatest thing to happen not to just hip hop, to music, [was] admitting that he’s vulnerable and confused and afraid and I’m an alcoholic and I got OCD. They’re seeing how powerful it is to admit when you think you’re weak,” he explains.
He adds, “So they’re like, ‘Wow, if DMC could do it, then maybe I can.’ My greatest achievement isn’t Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Grammys. I’m living, breathing proof that you could beat and defeat whatever it is that you’re struggling against.”
source: people.com
