Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante and Suicidal Tendencies bassist Ra Diaz virtually linked up with Run-DMC‘s Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and Volbeat guitarist Rob Caggiano to perform a medley of rap and rock hits for a good cause.
Benante praised McDaniels as the “KING of ROCK” in the video description of his highly anticipated six-minute jam session, which consisted of Run DMC’s “It’s Like That” and “Sucker MCs” from the hip-hop group’s 1984 self-titled debut LP and Anthrax’s “I’m The Man” titular track from its 1987 EP. The latter is still considered to be one of the first rap-rock hybrid songs. He made the combined virtual cover available for download on Bandcamp so the proceeds would go toward Music Unites, a non-profit organization that works with artists, celebrity ambassadors and music-related sponsors to bring music education into local schools.
“I always wanted to do a medley of RUN DMC songs, so back in March I decided to put an arrangement together and asked these amazing people to be a part of it. How can you do a RUN DMC medley without the KING of ROCK- Darryl McDaniels DMC,” the Anthrax drummer wrote. “I have been a RUN DMC fan from back when I first heard ‘It’s Like That/Sucker MCs’ they had my attention immediately! It’s no secret that our ‘I’m the Man’ song was inspired by RUN DMC and the Beastie boys…that’s how much we loved them.”
Benante later explained that after Diaz and attacked that “funkymetal” Billie Eilish cover of “Bad Guy” last month, he wanted to bring back the Suicidal Tendencies musician for his “groove and creativity to adapt to any song. I love how he placed a familiar line at the end of the song that Just fit so well,” he wrote. He also tapped Caggiano, his former Anthrax bandmate, for this project for his idiosyncratic style, especially his “great Black metal riff.”
Catch the foursome’s electrifying quarantine-style jam session below, which can be purchased here to benefit Music Unites.