DMC’s Metal Roots — Sabbath, Priest, and the Rock DNA Behind “She Gets Me High”

DMC sits down with Metal Walt for a deep dive into his heavy metal and hard rock origins — from the music he heard growing up to discovering the power of Black Sabbath and Judas Priest. In this wide-ranging conversation, DMC explains how rock music was already embedded in early hip-hop culture, why songs like “Rock Box” proved that rock was part of Run-DMC’s DNA from the start, and how that foundation eventually led him to create metal and hard rock music in his own lane. The interview also touches on DMC’s 2026 solo metal single “She Gets Me High,” his connection to NYC hardcore, playing with Agnostic Front, performing with Sammy Hagar, and opening for Lou Reed — reinforcing a lifelong relationship with rock, metal, and underground culture. 00:00 Show Open & Pre-Roll Tease 02:12 What Music Sounded Like in DMC’s House Growing Up 03:47 Discovering Rock on WABC and the First Metal Obsession (Black Sabbath) 07:00 Rock and Early Hip-Hop Culture — DJs, Crates, and Crossover 09:12 “Rock Box” and Why Rock Was Always in Run-DMC’s DNA 12:05 “Walk This Way” — History, Impact, and the Permission Moment 23:14 When DMC Decided to Start Making Rock Music 25:59 DMC and the HellRaisers — Live Reactions and Reality 29:14 Rock DNA Across Classic Run-DMC Songs (King of Rock, It’s Tricky, Mary, Mary, Why You Buggin’) 34:06 “She Gets Me High” — DMC’s Solo Metal Direction and Lineup 45:02 Hardcore Roots — Agnostic Front, NYC, and Underground Energy 54:11 Legacy, Creativity, and What DMC Is About Today 01:07:11 Wrap-Up & Where to Follow DMC Metal Mayhem ROC Website: https://metalmayhemroc.com/ DMC Website: https://thekingdmc.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices