Davy DMX

Davy DMX — born David Reeves — is a pioneering DJ, musician, and producer whose influence on hip hop stretches back to the late 1970s in his native Queens, New York. First gaining attention as a member of Orange Krush, he co-created the group’s influential single “Action” and provided music for various tracks on Run-DMC’s first two albums, as well as Lovebug Starski’s “You Gotta Believe” and Sweet G’s “Games People Play.”

Davy DMX collaborated with the Fat Boys on “Jailhouse Rap” and “The Fat Boys Are Back.” He produced Spoonie Gee’s “Big Beat” and “Street Girl.” In addition, he partnered with Larry Smith and Russell Simmons to write the music for Jimmy Spicer’s “Money (Dollar Bill Y’All).”

In 1984, he scored a solo hit with “One for the Treble” before releasing his 1987 LP Davy’s Ride, which featured DJ Hurricane. A prolific songwriter and producer, Davy DMX contributed to landmark Run-DMC tracks like “Pause,” “Run’s House,” and “Beats to the Rhyme.” He also worked on Kurtis Blow’s “If I Ruled the World,” “The Breaks,” “Daydreamin’” and “Hard Times.”

Since 2010, Davy DMX has toured on and off as Public Enemy’s lead bass player, continuing his legacy as a force in hip hop history.