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Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels

Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels

Keynote Speaker: Pioneer of Hip Hop Culture & Founding Member of Run-DMC; Author & Founder of Darryl Makes Comics Publishing; Mental Health & Foster Care Advocate

  • Speaking Fee:
    Live Event Fee: $30,000 - $50,000
    Virtual Event Fee: $10,000 - $20,000
    More Fee Info
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Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels Biography

Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, an American rapper and founding member of the influential hip-hop group Run-DMC, has made significant contributions to the music industry. McDaniels, who grew up in the New York City neighborhood of Hollis, Queens, first developed an interest in hip-hop in the 1970s, teaching himself to DJ and eventually transitioning to rapping. Run-DMC's third album, "Raising Hell," reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, cementing their place in hip-hop history.

Throughout his career, McDaniels has been open about his struggles with depression, alcoholism, and drug abuse. He also has been diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, a vocal disorder that has affected his performance style. Nevertheless, he has continued to create music and contribute to the industry in various ways, including launching his own record label, IME Records, in collaboration with producer Wade Martin and venturing into the comics industry with his own publishing imprint, Darryl Makes Comics. McDaniels' first book under this imprint is a 90-page graphic novel set in 1985 featuring him as a superhero.

In addition to his music and comic book ventures, McDaniels has also made appearances on television shows such as "Saturday Night Live" and in video games like Guitar Hero: Aerosmith. He has collaborated with numerous artists, including Adoptee Zara Philips, with whom he released the song "I'm Legit," and has also worked with the band Generation Kill on a project called DMC Generation Kill. In his music, McDaniels has often addressed important social issues, such as COVID-19 vaccination, which he promoted with a song and animated video titled "Let's All Get the Vaccine."

McDaniels' accomplishments extend beyond music and entertainment. He has written his autobiography, "King of Rock: Respect, Responsibility, and My Life with Run-DMC," and a children's book called "Darryl's Dream." Additionally, he authored “Ten Ways Not to Commit Suicide," giving him another platform to talk about his past struggles with depression and helping those, especially men of color, remove the shame of asking for help. He also partnered with U Will, the app that allows college students immediate access to a therapist.

McDaniels testified before the New Jersey State Legislature in support of legislation to restore adopted adults' access to their original birth certificates and has co-founded The Felix Organization, a non-profit that serves children in the foster care system. For his work with this organization, McDaniels received the Congressional Angels in Adoption award.

Over the years, McDaniels' work has been widely recognized. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009 and has received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contributions to the recording field. In 2024, McDaniels was featured in the "Kings From Queens: The Run DMC Story" docuseries that details the groups influence on music, fashion, and culture.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels and other top speakers and celebrities.

Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels Videos

Hip-Hop Legend: Darryl “DMC” McDaniels | Sherri Shepherd
How to Find the Superhero Within | Darryl "DMC" McDaniels on ...
Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels - Sarah McLachlan Saved My Life - YouTube

How do I book Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels speak about?

Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Music, Authors, Mental Health, Family & Parenting, Black Heritage, Entertainment, Celebrity and Social Activism.

Who is the agent for Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Music, Authors and Mental Health. The estimated speaking fee range to book Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels for live events is $30,000 - $50,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Ice-T, Malcolm London and Michael Oher. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 30/09/2024.

Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels Videos

Hip-Hop Legend: Darryl “DMC” McDaniels | Sherri Shepherd
How to Find the Superhero Within | Darryl "DMC" McDaniels on ...
Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels - Sarah McLachlan Saved My Life - YouTube

Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels News

  • How do I book Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels speak about?

    Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Music, Authors, Mental Health, Family & Parenting, Black Heritage, Entertainment, Celebrity and Social Activism.
  • Who is the agent for Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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