[View the story "Hip-hop: As told by DMC" on Storify ]Hip-hop: As told by DMC For Thursday's episode, The Stream brings on Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels to discuss the evolution of hip-hop. Storified by AJAMStream · Thu, Sep 19 2013 14:20:41
Darryl McDaniels (DMC) is one-third of the pioneering hip-hop group Run-DMC. The group would go on to amass many notable firsts for hip-hop, including first group to
sell 1 million albums , as well as the first to be nominated for a
Grammy Award . In 2009, the group was inducted into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame , only the second hip-hop act to do so.
The video below was memorable for being the first major rap-rock fusion song.
RUN-DMC - Walk This Wayrundmcvevo
As a hip-hop veteran, he has been critical about the current state of the genre.
‘It seems like stupid America celebrates a person that says “yeah I’m a drug dealer, I’m bringing the drugs into the hood”. The reason why hip hop exists is because it started out with good intentions, once all the good intentions left the music became polluted, it became disrespectful it became immature.’metro.co.uk
His sentiments are echoed in many online circles:
ok no one can dispute the fact hip hop is dead, im switching through the channels now and all i see is corny rappers talk about money ? ?sukhdip chhoker
Even as I was still using hip hop to raise awareness abt political prisoners in the U.S., I'd come to believe it a useless tool.dream hampton
Early in DMC's career, political rap was popular but today, some question whether there are any 'conscious' rappers with mainstream success.
Once it was clear there was a big audience for hip hop, most artists proved they were eager to forgo political relevancy for MONEY. #DiddyNana Kobra
Who's standing up in hip hop right now, speaking on political issues that affect poor people?KaraKhaotic.com
99% of rappers can't make a concious song and a hit at the same time.Lee Major
DMC has taken a public stance on issues often taboo in the African-American community, namely mental health and homophobia.
In 2011, DMC was featured in a video challenging hip-hop to support equal rights.
DMC's Anti-Homophobia Hip-Hop Challengenoh8campaign
The issue of homophobia in hip-hop has come up again in light of the
brief resignation of popular DJ Mister Cee. The Stream recently covered the story.
Mister Cee and hip hop | Al Jazeera AmericaA turntable spins. Bruno Vincent/Getty Images 2003 Getty Images Mister Cee, or Calvin LeBund, one of the most popular hip-hop DJs in Amer...
DMC continues to use his platform to advocate for social issues. After finding out he was adopted, he helped start
The Felix Organization , a charity that helps "enrich the lives of children who are growing up in the foster care system".
In the statement below, DMC explains why he started the organization.
When you look at me and my accomplishments, this is what I represent: what happens when you give kids in foster care the opportunity to fulfill their purpose and destiny.childrensrights.org
Do you have any questions for DMC? Tweet @AJAMStream and he might respond during the live-show Thursday, September 19 at 7:30PM EST. 
Error
Sorry, your comment was not saved due to a technical problem. Please try again later or using a different browser.