Darryl “D.M.C.” Matthews McDaniels
American Musician, Hip Hop Culture Pioneer, Member of RUN- D.M.C., Author of King of Rock : Respect, Responsibility, and My Life with Run-DMC
Darryl D.M.C. McDaniels, member of the hip hop group RUN-DMC was recently in Florida showing support for his friend, Clarence Clemons by being the official emcee for the Clarence Clemons Classic Gala & Auction at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
As someone who has experienced first hand, the foster care system, DMC was eager to share his opinion about the system and what needs to be done to improve it.
Daedrian McNaughton caught up with DMC who had a mouthful to share.
Rest in Peace, Jam-Master Jay.
PGM: Why are you here tonight?
Darryl D.M.C. McDaniels: Clarence Clemons made me come. He said he was doing something for Home Safe, and they do stuff for foster kids and families. I am actually one of those kids. I was actually one of those foster kids who was in an unfortunate situation. The people at Home Safe and Clarence Clemons believe that these kids situations do not define who they are as people. All we have to do is follow the lead of Home Safe, support the families, give into the life of the kids. Give these children every opportunity, education, motivation, recreation, motivate this generation to become the successful people they already are. These kids are diamond mines of wealth, prosperity, and productivity. We have to get together and help them to get there.
PGM: As a product of that environment or someone who have gone through that system, how are you involved with this foundation?
Darryl D.M.C. McDaniels: Well I am the official emcee for tonight. ‘I just don’t give out turkeys on thanksgiving’. Everyday I am in the schools, I am at the group homes, I go to the jails, I go to the detention centers, I go to the hospitals, I go to the middle schools, high schools and elementary schools because our population is full of so-called underprivileged kids. I hate that label. If they are so under privileged, give them privileges, Mr. President. You know what I’m saying? Let’s educate them. Give them books, put them with families, get them with the right people, stop the corruption, stop the abuse-don’t close the schools. So for me, this is just one event that we can help to bring awareness. When we leave here, what you hear here-you have to go out and do something about it. Become a foster parent, mentor a kid, come and lecture. Some of these kids, their lives are hell. All they really need is a phone call once a week. “Hey, how are you doing, son or daughter? I am cheering for you. I was in your same position, if you ever need anybody to talk to, call me.” This can change a child’s life. That’s how I do it.
PGM: When you leave here, what will you do next?
Darryl D.M.C. McDaniels: When I leave from here, I go back to New york. Right now I am mentoring a young lady who is getting ready to age out of the system, then I go to the charter schools. A lot of the kids who are giving trouble in schools, people think they are crazy-no-that kid is in a foster care system-his mother is on crack-his father is in jail. You keep giving them bibles and therapy books-take the bible away-move the books from them-sit down and say, “What’s going on in your life?” Let the kid speak, then you can really see what it is that this child really needs.
PGM: How does it feel to have such a strong influence on pop culture?
Darryl D.M.C. McDaniels: I do? I don’t think about that everyday. I don’t think about it. It’s not a good feeling-It is a responsibility. You have to wake up every morning, and you know if you are an entertainer, actor, celebrity, athlete or something, you were given that for a bigger reason-not just for the titles, trophies and awards etc. It seems like this whole population of prominent or people in positions don’t really know their responsibilities. It wasn’t showbiz and championships-world champion doesn’t mean you are champion because you won a championship- it means you were given it because you were supposed to use that energy and power to make it better for everybody who is looking up to you. Like I said, “You can’t just give out turkeys on thanksgiving”. You see these celebrities they come in to give out turkeys on thanksgiving, then you don’t see them for a whole ‘nother year. They come in the homes-they feed people-then you don’t see them for a whole ‘nother year. Myself and a host of others, we do this daily. ‘Come to my school and talk’. We ain’t asking for money, no private jets. The schools are getting closed because they have no money-they don’t even have a budget to keep the schools open-so you go out and charge the schools transportation, hotel, etc to come spend an hour with the kids.