DMC, formerly of the group Run DMC, is apparently in Seoul to preform at a concert. While giving a press-conference he was, of course, asked about his feelings about the South Korean/U.S. beef controversy.
According to the Metropolitician, a bilingual blogger who was covering the press-conference, DMC first indicated he had no idea what the press were talking about, and said something to the effect of “Well, I guess no one wants mad cow” and “Gotta protect the people, safety first.”
After the Korean press corps was not satisfied with the answer, they pressed for a “clearer” answer three more times, forcing another more coherent statement for soundbite purposes until a Korean publicist came over and saved him by whispering into his ear, at which point he jokingly exclaimed “I’ve got no beef with anybody!”
I was a fan of RUN DMC back in the 80s. My friends and I even tried to start a rap group called The Dukes of Chill, influenced heavily by DMC and the Beastie Boys. My point being, this is a little sad for me to see.
At that point, a Hard Rock representative came out and said that since DMC was obviously new to Korea and couldn’t be expected to know what hot issues the beef and FTA issues were, the question should be dropped. The Korean press corps had pushed for a re-answer three times. No one except for the Korea Herald reporter even asked any questions relevant to his actual music.
So how was this reported in the Korean media? Well, here’s a translation of NoCutNews’s headline:
DMC says: “In the importation of American beef…the safety of the people is most important.”
Lovely. Here’s a real (and very good) interview with DMC, conducted by Expat Jane.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Simon Currie // Jun 19, 2008 at 9:09 am
Damn, that’s stooping real low. Couldn’t the media have just invent some quotes anyways instead of pressing DMC for the “correct quote”? He would obviously have some other concerns of higher priority during his Korean visit than dealing with obsessive media that don’t care about his music. (But I guess he is a big enough name in Korea to warrant a forced quote.)
2 Shinsano // Jun 19, 2008 at 9:36 am
I don’t think he’s all that big a name here. I’m sure some of the real hiphop heads know him, but it seems obvious the press people didn’t. I doubt they’d harass someone like Elton John like that.
3 EW // Jun 19, 2008 at 9:38 am
The Dukes of Chill? Sounds like it’s time for a new fantasy baseball team name.
4 jackson // Jun 21, 2008 at 10:55 pm
I met reverend Run from Run DMC once. He flashed a huge wad of 100 dollar bills in my face and asked me to go get him Twizzlers.
And I think it’s fair game to ask DMC about his geopolitical views. After all, his verse from Sucker M.C.s:
“I’m D.M.C. in the place to be I go to St. John’s University And since kinde-garten I acquired the knowledge And after 12th grade I went straight to college …”
clearly indicated that he is a capable knowledgeable diplomat.
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