Rev Run

Well known as the "Run" in Run-D.M.C., Rev Run is a respected rapper from hip-hop's golden age who broke out on his own in the mid-2000s. Born Joseph Simmons in Queens, Rev Run started out as Kurtis Blow's DJ. His brother, Russell Simmons, formed the hip-hop management company Rush Productions in the early '80s. By the mid-'80s, Russell had formed the pioneering record label Def Jam with Rick Rubin. Encouraged by his brother, Run and his friend Darryl McDaniels formed the rap group Run-D.M.C. DJ Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell) completed the group's lineup in 1982 and the act wen...