Joseph Ward Simmons, born November 14th 1964 is known by the stage name 'Rev. Run' or 'DJ Run' and is one of the founding members of the influential hip hop group 'Run-D.M.C.' and a practicing minister, known as Reverend Run. He is also the co-founder of Def Jam Records and founded Run-D.M.C. as a lead vocalist along with friend Darryl "DMC" McDaniels and the late DJ Jason "Jam-Master Jay" Mizell. Rev Run appears on the MTV series 'Run's House', a reality show revolving around his everyday life with his family. On September 8, 2007, Rev Run was honoured as a BMI Icon at the annual BMI Urban Awards.