✰PREMIUM Rap royalty, Run-DMC co-founder comes to Bay Ridge
Darryl McDaniels releases new book, ‘Darryl's Christmas in Hollis;’ signing at neighborhood BookMark Shoppe
Also speaks to his musical career, Brooklyn and future plans
Darryl McDaniels holding his first book, “Darryl’s Dream,” and his newest release, “Darryl's Christmas in Hollis.” Brooklyn Eagle photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
BAY RIDGE — One of the true pioneers of hip-hop music, Darryl McDaniels, founding member of the iconic rap trio Run-DMC, paid a visit to the southwest corner of Brooklyn on Sunday to promote his new holiday picture book, “Darryl’s Christmas in Hollis.”
McDaniels, a New York native who has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide with the 1980s rap supergroup, arrived at The BookMark Shoppe, 8415 Third Ave., to the delight of dozens of diehard fans, many armed with vintage Run-DMC albums, music magazines and even a pair of old-school Adidas sneakers for McDaniels to sign.
Exterior of The BookMark Shoppe. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
McDaniels was bursting with energy, enthusiasm and positive energy. “Hey, how are you? Where are you from?” he asked each and every customer on the line before signing copies of their book and anything else they brought to the table.
Making a world of difference
Run-DMC, formed in 1983, was one of the first hip-hop groups to achieve mainstream success and among the first hip-hop acts to go platinum. They are also credited with helping bring rap into global popular culture.
From left: Christine Freglette, owner of The BookMark Shoppe; Darryl “DMC” McDaniels; Erin Ruggeri, manager of The BookMark Shoppe; and Erik Blam, McDaniels’ manager. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
McDaniels’ book, which is his second, is about embracing diverse traditions and discovering the joy of giving during the holiday season. It shows how a single act of kindness can make a world of difference.
A trip to the eye doctor opens young Darryl’s eyes to the many ways in which people celebrate the holidays. When he tries on a pair of “cultural frames,” he sees everything from Hanukkah dreidels to Diwali lights. Darryl learns that holiday joy comes in all shapes and sizes.
On his journey to the eye doctor, he also spots a new five-speed bicycle — the perfect Christmas gift for himself. However, when young Darryl encounters a homeless boy and his father, he makes a selfless decision and uses his allowance money to gift the bike to the homeless boy, realizing that the true spirit of Christmas isn’t about getting but giving.
“Darryl’s Christmas in Hollis” is the newest book by Run-DMC’s Darryl McDaniels. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
Inspire, motivate, educate and entertain
McDaniels spoke to the Brooklyn Eagle about how the prospect of being an author came about. “About 10 years ago, two educators from Brooklyn, Johnny and Shawnee Warfield (the co-writers of the book), invited me to speak to their third, fourth and fifth grade classes,” he recalled, adding that the children’s enthusiasm was gone. “The meeting ended up going really well. Parents were calling and saying, ‘Did DMC come and speak to my child? What did he say to them? All of a sudden they’re doing their homework and are being polite!’”
The Warfields were convinced that McDaniels should write a book, “doing the same things that you’ve been doing for the last 40 years,” they said. “Inspire, motivate and educate while you entertain.”
Darryl McDaniels signs a copy of his new book as spectators observe. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
McDaniels’ first book is a story about himself in the third grade and deals with bullying, believing in yourself and following your dreams. “For the newest book, I remembered when I was a boy and wanted a five-speed bicycle. The Warfields said, ‘That’s it! We’re going to tell a story about giving and how it feels to give, using Christmas and Hollis as a backdrop to unite children.’”
McDaniels, in addition to being a prolific hip-hop artist, and author, is also a huge fan of classic rock music. “That’s all I listened to back in the day,” he said. “AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, The Who, in addition to folk rock like Harry Chapin and Jim Croce. They were all influences.”
According to McDaniels, before rap records were made, “If you came to see anybody live at a block party with their turntables and the sound systems out there, the crates of records DJs would bring were all R&B, jazz, funk and disco records,” he explained. “But there were a lot of rock records as well — such as Aerosmith, Rush and Queen — used as break beats, along with the likes of James Brown. Many people don’t know that.”
From left: Jeff Mondesir, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Kystal Camacho and their son, Kaiden. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
A Brooklyn perspective
Originally from Queens, McDaniels has also spent time in Kings County.
“Brooklyn has gone through a lot of changes since back in the day,” he underlined. “The one thing that I can always say about Brooklyn, even when it was a little rougher, is that every community, even though they are different from a cultural perspective, is very connected, and they truly care about their communities.”
As for what lies on the horizon for McDaniels, the artist is still making new music. On Jan. 23, a new song will drop that features Sebastian Bach (ex-Skid Row) on vocals, Travis Barker (Blink 182) on drums, Mick Mars (ex-Motley Crue) on guitar, and Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses) on bass. The song is called “She Gets Me High.”
From left: Mirna Franco, Darryl McDaniels and “NYC Street Beat Photo” along with some vintage Run-DMC products. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
McDaniels described the single as “a rock rap fusion with live instrumentalization,” and it will be from his upcoming album entitled “America.” There will also be track collaborations with musical icons Sammy Hagar, Joan Jett, Chuck D, Ice-T and hardcore-punk band Agnostic Front.
“I didn’t mean for this to happen; it just came together,” McDaniels said. “I just love to create, and I’m a huge fan of the arts. Making music will always and forever be in my blood.”
Despite the rain, fans of Darryl “DMC” McDaniels came out to support his most recent creative venture. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
