Joseph Simmons
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Joseph Simmons (born November 14, 1964) is one of the founding members of hip hop group Run-D.M.C.. He is known as DJ Run, Joey Simmons, or Rev Run, which is a play on his religious title.
Joseph was born to Daniel and Mary Simmons in Hollis, Queens, New York. He is the younger brother to Daniel Simmons and Def Jam Records founder Russell Simmons. He was a lead vocalist in Run-DMC with co-founder and friend Darryl "DMC" McDaniels. The group's work is considered by many to be inventive and original, using numerous revolutionary styles, including the work of DJ Jam Master Jay.
Simmons began using "Rev Run" as a stage name after he was ordained as a reverend priest in Zoe Ministries. His first work as Rev Run was a feature in the single Song For Lovers by UK pop band Liberty X in September 2005.
Distortion is Simmons' first solo album. The first single, "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 1980's hits using samples like Aerosmith's hit "Walk This Way."
Simmons and his family are also the focus of the MTV reality show, Run's House.
[edit] Simmons's family
- Joseph Simmons I (Reverend Run): father, Phat Farm executive, minister and one-third of hip-hop group Run DMC. (41 years old)
- Justine Simmons: Run's wife; she is the mother to Rev Run's younger two children Daniel (Diggy) and Russell; She was pregnant with a baby girl that died shortly after being born. She is step-mother to Vanessa, Angela, and Jojo, who refer to her as "Mom." (41 years old) Their real mom is Valerie Vaughn also 41 who lives in Queens and is married to Alfonzo Vaughn. The three oldest also have two younger sisters Darien 12 and Tiffany 3 and their grandfather, Daniel, appeared on the show.
- Vanessa Simmons: the oldest daughter, soon-to-be graduate of St. John's University, and aspiring actress and current Ford model. Was also voted #82 in Maxim's top 100 hottest celebs. (22 years old)
- Angela Simmons: recent graduate of the Fashion High School of New York City. She will be attending college in the fall. She is going to be executive editor of Word Up! magazine, and publisher of a subsidiary publication, Angela's Rundown. Angela's Rundown, a monthly magazine, will target youths age 14-18 and cover teen issues, style, music and fashion while offering fashion tips and in-depth celebrity interviews. Angela was also in Bow Wow's new video "Shortie Like Mine" which premiered on October 11, 2006. [1] (18 years old)
- Joseph Simmons II (Jojo): the oldest son. (16 years old)
- Daniel Simmons II (Diggy): the comedian of the family. (10 years old)
- Russell Simmons II (Russy): the youngest child. (8 years old)
[edit] Victoria Anne
On September 26, 2006, the couple's newborn child, Victoria Anne Simmons, was pronounced dead shortly after her birth.
Joseph Simmons was present at a Ridgewood, New Jersey hospital on September 26 for the child's anticipated delivery. The pregnancy was initially made public via MTV.
A Caesarean section was performed on Justine Simmons to deliver the child, but the baby girl was reportedly born with organs on the outside of her body, which may be a case of omphalocele or gastroschisis.[2] The baby died shortly after being delivered.
