Run-D.M.C. group member
Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels is the subject of a new VH1 franchise called
“VH1 Rock Docs,” which reveals untold stories in the world of rock
and Hip-Hop music.
D.M.C.’s
documentary will focus on the pioneering rapper’s recent, shocking discovery
that he was adopted.
Over the course
of the program, D.M.C. reveals his new perspective on life as he discovers his
birthroots.
The VH1 documentary
will feature a new video and song titled “Just Like Me,” taken from
his upcoming album, Checks Thugs and Rock ‘n Roll.
“Just Like
Me” was directed by Shawn Papazian and produced by Mike DeLorenzo and
Romeo Antonio. Sarah McLachlan provides backing vocals in the song and also
makes a guest appearance in the video.
“The last
five years of my life have been an emotional storm of change," D.M.C. told
AllHipHop.com in a statement. "The profound personal loss with the deaths
of Jam Master Jay and my father, the shocking discovery that I was adopted and
the pain of the impact of living in a world where the ravages of war continue
to destroy so many lives, this album is not something I wanted to do – its something
I had to do.”
D.M.C. enlisted Ondi Timoner to direct the video for “Machine Gun,”
another single from the album.
Timoner snagged
a Sundance Film Festival Award for her documentary “Dig.”
D.M.C. also assembled
an impressive list of artists to round-out Check Thugs and Rock ‘n Roll.
Former group member
Run (Rev Run) appears on the album, along with Kid Rock, Doug E. Fresh, DJ Lethal,
Napoleon (Outlawz), Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith), Elliot Easton (The Cars), Fieldy
(Korn), Ms. Jade, Sonny Black, Gary Dourdan (“CSI”), Joey Kramer
and Romeo Antonio.
The album is being
released through a joint venture D.M.C. struck with RomenMpire Records, a division
of Prime Multimedia Inc. (PRMX)
“With the
support of my brothers at RomenMpire Records and Prime Multimedia I have a chance
to emerge from Run-D.M.C. as D.M.C., in a solo career to say what I have to
say with the words and music of this album."
VH1 Rock Docs launch
in January of 2006.
Checks Thugs
and Rock ‘n Roll hits stores soon. Fans can check D.M.C.’s new website,
www.me-D.M.C.com for further
updates.