DMC Honored For Work With Foster Children, Run-DMC Gets Sued By Rock Group

Darryl "DMC" McDaniels of Run-D.M.C. will be honored Wed., Sept 20 by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, at their annual National Angels in Adoption Gala in Washington D.C. The event will recognize DMC for his efforts in improving the lives of children in foster care through the Felix Organization, which he co-founded earlier this year. The rapper, along with casting director Sheila Jaffe, created the organization in February as a way to offer summer camp opportunities and bonding experiences to neglected and abandoned children. "I was fortunate enough to be raised by parents who opened their hearts and home to me," McDaniels said. "But in reality, there are so many kids out there that don't have that. I want to help as many children as I can to become strong, independent, and successful adults." A former adoptee, DMC, now 42, first learned of his adoption in 2000 when he was writing his autobiography. The legendary rapper found out from his mother that he was adopted in 1964 soon after his birth. "Finding out I was adopted, going though all of the emotions and then meeting my biological family changed my life," said McDaniels. "I have a new reality and a new purpose." The CCAI will also honor Miami Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper for his support of foster children on welfare, after he teamed up with the African American Adoption Agency in Minnesota, serving as the organization's spokesman. Culpepper is also an adoptee and an adoptive parent of his nephew. In related news, a lawsuit was filed against Run-D.M.C. Sept. 15 by members of former '80s rock band the Knack, who claim that the rap trio used an unlicensed sample of their song "It's Tricky" on the 1986 classic album Raising Hell. The Knack's Doug Fieger and Berton Averre filed the copyright infringement suit in California, claiming that they never gave the rights for Run-D.M.C. to sample their 1979 platinum hit "My Sharona." The complaint further alleged that the rappers, along with their managers, producers, publishers, and record label, unlawfully stole portions of their song, including the signature guitar riff. The Knack is seeking damaged for all albums sold with "It's Tricky" in the track listing, as far back as 1986.