Run-D.M.C. was an influential hip hop group from Hollis, in the Queens borough of New York City. Founded by Joseph "DJ Run" Simmons, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, and Jason "Jam-Master Jay" Mizell, the group is arguably the most important and influential act in the history of hip hop. They were the biggest act in hip-hop throughout the 1980s and are credited with breaking hip hop into mainstream music.

After signing with Profile Records, Run-D.M.C. released their first single "It's Like That/Sucker MCs", in late 1983. The sound was a revolution in hip hop; aggressive, cocky rhymes over spare, minimal, hard-hitting beats. Previously, rap music had been chiefly funk and disco-influenced, but Run-D.M.C.'s sound, like their name, was unlike anything that had been heard in rap before. The single was well received, peaking at #15 on the R&B charts.

After the success of their first album, Run-D.M.C. looked to branch out on their follow-up. 1985's King of Rock saw the group furthering their rap-rock fusion on songs like "Can You Rock It Like This" and the classic title track; while "Roots, Rap, Reggae" was one of the first rap/dancehall hybrids. The music video for the single "King of Rock" received heavy rotation on MTV and featured Run and DMC wreaking havoc in a museum that resembles the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

After spending 1987 on tour supporting Raising Hell, Run-D.M.C. released 1988's Tougher Than Leather. The album saw the group discarding much of its rap rock leanings for a grittier, more sample-heavy sound. Run-D.M.C. released Back from Hell in 1990. The album was the worst-reviewed of their career, as the group tried to re-create itself musically with ill-advised forays into New Jack Swing (a then-popular style of production that sonically merged hip hop and contemporary R&B) and sometimes-preachy lyrical content.

In 1997, producer and remixer Jason Nevins remixed "It's Like That" and "It's Tricky". The remix of "It's Like That" hit number 1 in the United Kingdom, Germany, and many other European countries. A video was made for "It's Like That", although no new footage of Run-D.M.C. appeared in the clip. In 1999, Run-D.M.C. recorded the theme song for WWE wrestling stable D-Generation X entitled "The Kings," and also made an appearance in a rare version of the music video "Bodyrock" by Moby. In 2000, their version of "The Kings" was included on the album, WWF Aggression. Appearing on VH1's popular documentary series "Behind The Music" in early 2000, DMC confirmed that he was creatively frustrated and played some songs that he was recording on his own.

Despite the protests of DMC, Jam-Master Jay and Steven Tyler, Run was adamant. While their touring career seemed over, it remained to be seen if the legendary crew would ever record again. However on October 30, 2002, Jam-Master Jay was shot and killed at his recording studio in Queens.

In 2004, Run-DMC were one of the first acts honored on the first annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors, alongside legends like the Sugarhill Gang and 2Pac. The Beastie Boys paid tribute, but Rev. Run did not attend the show. Run released his first solo album, Distortion in 2005 to strong reviews and moderate sales.

In 2007, Jam Master Jay's wife Terry Corely Mizell, DMC and Rev Run launched the J.A.M. Awards in Jay's memory. Promoting Jay's vision for social Justice, Arts and Music ("J.A.M."), artists included Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, Raekwon, M.O.P., Jim Jones, Papoose, Everlast featuring DJ Muggs, Kid Capri, De La Soul, Mobb Deep, Dead Prez, EPMD, Biz Markie and Marley Marl. In October 2008, 50 Cent announced plans to produce a documentary about his fallen mentor, Jam-Master Jay. It was announced in 2008 that Run-D.M.C. have been nominated for 2009 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On January 14, it was announced that Run-D.M.C. will in fact be one of the five inductees to the Rock Hall.