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Joseph Simmons

 
Artist: Rev Run
Home > Library > Entertainment & Arts > Pop Artists

Similar Artists:

Run-D.M.C.

Formal Connection With:

Team Blackout, Jason Mizell, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels

Relationship With:

JoJo Simmons, Russell Simmons
See Rev Run Lyrics
  • Born: November 14, 1964, Queens, NY
  • Active: 2000s
  • Genres: Rap
  • Instrument: Performer Representative Album: "Distortion"

Biography

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 went on to sell millions of albums, open numerous doors for hip-hop, and blend rock into the mix with their hit cover version of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" in 1986. The senseless murder of Jam Master Jay in 2002 brought an official close to the group. Rev Run carried on with producer Whiteboy and began to work on an album. They had completed eight songs before they presented them to Russell, who was now working on forming a new label, RSMG (Russell Simmons Music Group). Blown away by the tracks, Russell was once again pushing his younger brother to take it to the next level, but this time as a solo artist. Reflecting the hard grit of the tracks, the album was named Distortion and released by RSMG in 2005. Rev Run also shows his deep spiritual side by posting "Rev Run's Words of Wisdom" daily on his website. In late 2005, Run signed a deal with MTV for the reality show Run's House, a look into the daily life of Rev Run's family. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: Joseph Simmons
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Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia
Joseph Ward Simmons

Simmons in 2007
Background information
Birth name Joseph Simmons
Also known as DJ Run, Joey Simmons, Rev RUN
Born November 14, 1964 (1964-11-14) (age 45)
U.S.
Genres Hip hop, rap rock
Occupations Rapper, Producer, D.J., Reverend
Associated acts Run-D.M.C.
Def Jam Musicians

Joseph Simmons (born November 14, 1964) is one of the founding members of hip hop group Run-D.M.C. and a practicing minister known as Rev Run. He is also known as DJ Run and Joey Simmons. Simmons was born in Hollis, Queens, New York, he is the younger brother of Daniel "Danny" Simmons, Jr and Russell Simmons, Def Jam Records co-founder. He entered the scene via his older brother Russell, as a DJ for his first big act for Kurtis Blow. He assumed the alias 'Son of Kurtis Blow', but later changed it to "Run Love".

He found new popularity in 2005 with his family MTV reality show Run's House.

Contents

Marriages and Children

Simmons married Valerie Vaughn in 1983, and had three children with her, Vanessa Simmons, Angela Simmons, and Jojo Simmons. He married Justine Jones on June 25, 1994. With her, he had three more children: Daniel "Diggy" Simmons III, Russell "Russy" Simmons II, and Victoria Anne Simmons. Victoria died shortly after birth on September 26, 2006. Victoria was four pounds, five ounces when she was delivered via caesarean section [1]. She died shortly after being born reportedly due to omphalocele, a birth defect that caused her organs to grow outside her body [2]. The Simmons family decided to allow camera crews to be in the hospital room as they broke the news to their children. They wanted to show viewers how, as a family, they dealt with such a situation.

Shortly after, they adopted a baby girl named Miley Justine Simmons.

The Simmons family lives in Saddle River, New Jersey, USA.

Career

Before Run-D.M.C., Joseph "Run" Simmons was the lead vocalist in the hip-hop group called,"The Force." His associated act was Kurtis Blow. He founded Run-D.M.C. as a lead vocalist (MC) along with MC'ing friend Darryl "DMC" McDaniels and the late DJ Jason "Jam-Master Jay" Mizell. The group's work is considered to be inventive and original, using numerous revolutionary styles, including the pioneering work of Jam-Master Jay. Run began using the stage name of "Rev Run" after he was ordained as a minister in Zoë Ministries[3]. His first work as Rev Run was a feature in the single "Song 4 Lovers" by UK pop band Liberty X in September 2005. The music video for that song was directed by Bill Schacht for Aestheticom and reached broadcast airplay chart positions of #2 Box UK and #4 MTV UK with heavy rotation on 5 other music channels in the UK.

It was followed by his first solo album, Distortion. The first single from the album, "Mind On The Road", is featured in the EA Sports's Madden NFL 06 video game. "Mind On The Road" uses samples from the song "I Love Rock 'N Roll", in the tradition of Run-DMC's 1980s hits using samples like Aerosmith's hit "Walk This Way".

Joseph appeared on stage with Kid Rock, Travis McCoy, and two of his sons on New Year's Eve 2007 on MTV.

Rev Run appears on the MTV series Run's House, a reality show revolving around his everyday life with his family.

In 2002, he appeared on a special "Rap Stars" edition of The Weakest Link and ended up being the third one voted off.

In 2007, he appeared with his son Diggy Simmons on My Super Sweet 16 while attending a 16th birthday party for Diddy's son, Quincy. Diddy is also the producer of Run's House.

In 2008, Rev Run and his wife Justine teamed up with Kool-Aid and a non-profit organization called KaBOOM! to help build playgrounds in under served communities. With Kool-Aid, they are helping to build 24 playgrounds over the course of 2008 and hope to raise awareness for the need for safe play spaces.

On August 5, 2008 Gotham Press published Rev Run's book, Take Back Your Family: A Challenge to America's Parents, co-authored by his wife, Justine Simmons, and Chrisifer Morrow.

Discography

Solo

Distortion

  • Released: October 18, 2005
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Def Jam
  • Sales: Unknown
  • Singles: Mind On The Road


With Run-D.M.C.

See Run-D.M.C. -- Discography

References

  1. ^ Reverend Run And Justine Gear Up For Season Three Of “Run’s House”
  2. ^ Exclusive: Horrifying Death of Reality Star's Baby
  3. ^ Zoë Ministries
v • d • e
Run-D.M.C.
DJ Run · D.M.C. · Jam-Master Jay
Discography
Compilations
Songs
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