Apparently Bloomberg's always been a little bit whiny. While discussing the importance of New Yorkers reporting suspected child abuse yesterday, he shared an anecdote about how his crying as a child led to a meeting with the social services. "The way my mother tells it, my father said, 'the kid's crying' and my mother said 'yeah, he'll go to sleep,' which I did," Bloomberg said. "But the next morning the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children showed up with a police officer because a neighbor heard me crying. I guess they examined me and found I was not a battered child." more ›

FINALLY: Run-DMC is going to Broadway, people! Joseph Simmons (Run) and Darryl McDaniels (DMC) are cooperating with the estate of Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay) to create a stage musical about themselves: Run-DMC, the hip-hop pioneers from Hollis. Maybe it's not so crazy? Run-DMC were hilarious master showmen, and we could see their larger-than life personas served well by a big, loud Broadway spectacle. On the other hand, the producer is Hollywood's Paula Wagner, known for her association with Tom Cruise and War of the Worlds, which gives us a not-so-fresh feeling. more ›

It might not flow off the tongue as smoothly as some of their rhymes, but Run-DMC JMJ Way is finally here. The sign is at the intersection of 205th Street and Hollis Avenue in Queens, and you can see some video of the unveiling, which took place yesterday, here. The Daily News reports back from the ceremony, where DJ Run told the gathered crowd, "I lived right down that block," and DMC thanked the neighborhood locals on hand, who he says made them who they were. The late Jam Master Jay's mother was in attendance as well, wearing a shirt with her son's picture on it; she told the crowd, "This is a proud day for my whole family." Reportedly the documentary titled Two Turntables And A Microphone, which "will dissect Jay's death and celebrate his life," will be released later this year (see a preview after the jump). more ›

The Queens hip-hop legends Run-DMC are heading back to their hometown streets. Well, not quite, but there will be a symbolic renaming of a street corner in Hollis, CityRoom reports. The spot will be at the corner of 205th Street and Hollis Avenue and will be dubbed Run-DMC JMJ Way, with an extra special tribute to the late Jam Master Jay who was murdered in Queens at the age of 37. (Animal has a mock-up of what the tribute may look like!) With the Hollis Hip Hop Museum (housed in the former Hollis Famous Burger) just down two blocks away from the corner, could the area see a boom of visitors? Queens councilman Comrie hopes so, he told the site: “It is my sincere hope that this street renaming, combined with the museum, will help to economically revitalize this particular neighborhood as a potential tourism attraction." At least Run-DMC are finally getting their due, they were even inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year. more ›

It's about time: Run-DMC will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame tomorrow. In 1985 (nine years before the real deal opened) they put out a video for "King of Rock" that showed them trespassing at a fictional rock 'n' roll museum (watch it after the jump). Darryl McDaniels, aka DMC, remembers "people were saying that was kind of prophetic: 'You guys are bound for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because of that.' "And now they're being welcomed with open arms. more ›

Cheo Hodari Coker, screenwriter of the recent big screen release Notorious, is set to spill some ink on Run DMC for his next project, according to the Hollywood Reporter. He'll be adapting Bill Adler's Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC—The Authorized Biography, with the group's former publicist named as executive producer. The movie "will explore the history of hip-hop's first superstars: Joseph 'Run' Simmons, Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels and Jason 'Jam Master Jay' Mizell, who was shot to death in his Queens studio in 2002." It's already being labeled "an extraordinary rags-to-riches journey," and the site notes that the film will also focus on "the 1980s hip-hop movement that took over the world." Hopefully when it comes time to shoot the feature they'll be filming on location in Hollis, Queens. more ›

Team Obama can breathe a sigh of relief, they officially got the Russell Simmons endorsement. From a letter sent out this weekend, Simmons declared:

Today I am announcing my personal endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. During the last nine months, I have closely observed the presidential campaigns, analyzed the issues and platforms of the major candidates, and have had substantive discussions with Senator Clinton and Senator Obama. From the sidelines of the primaries and debates, I have been particularly inspired by the fact that Senator Obama has built an unprecedented, national movement comprised of people from all ethnic, racial, political, social and economic backgrounds.

Next week, Halloween eve to be exact, will mark the five year anniversary of Jam Master Jay's death. The murderer still walks the streets, as witnesses don't want to step forward in naming the man who ended the life of the rap legend. more ›

THEATER: Continuing through the 29th, the East to Edinburgh Festival is showcasing some of the most adventurous American theater productions before they blast off for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Tonight’s your chance to witness one of the more colorful and timely selections: LA FEMME EST MORTE or Why I Should Not F%!# My Son. It’s a contemporary Phaedra adaptation that satirizes America’s celebrity obsession in the midst of war, featuring live music, “frenetic dance, fierce boxing, raw meat. Flash photography is encouraged. Be careful of blood splatter.” - John Del Signore more ›

It's hard to believe Run DMC's "Christmas in Hollis" came out almost 20 years ago. The song was included on the 1987 A Very Special Christmas album, the first in a series of compilations to benefit the Special Olympics. Also on that cd (which included cover art by Keith Haring): Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band singing "Merry Christmas Baby". Happy Holidays! more ›

An unofficial Run-DMC website, plus Joseph Simmons spoke with Bill O'Reilly about his book. more ›