![The third member of Run-D.M.C., Jam Master Jay, was tragically...]()
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The third member of Run-D.M.C., Jam Master Jay, was tragically killed inside a Queens recording studio 2002. The perpetrator has never been identified.
![Rap pioneers Mark Morales, Damon Wimbley and Darren Robinson of...]()
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Rap pioneers Mark Morales, Damon Wimbley and Darren Robinson of The Fat Boys helped popularize beatboxing, and later scored mainstream hits with their covers of oldies tunes 'Wipe Out' and 'The Twist.' Above, Morales, aka Prince Markie Dee, who's now a producer and radio DJ.
![Lisa Gay Hamilton, who plays Aisha, is an accomplished theater...]()
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Lisa Gay Hamilton, who plays Aisha, is an accomplished theater actress who has performed with the New York Shakespeare Festival, among others. Her other movie credits include the 1998 adaptation of Toni Morrison's 'Beloved.' 'Krush Groove' was her first on-screen role, according to IMDb.com.
![Rick Rubin, the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, appears in...]()
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Rick Rubin, the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, appears in 'Krush Groove' as Rick. Rubin was the original DJ for the Beastie Boys and has since gone on to be one of the most influential producers in music, helping pioneer the rap-hard rock fusion that created memorable hits for the Beastie Boys, Run-D.M.C. and others. Rubin has also worked with rock acts like Metallica and Danzig. He currently heads up Columbia Records (along with Steve Barnett).
![Def Jam founder Russell Simmons had a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo in...]()
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Def Jam founder Russell Simmons had a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo in 'Krush Groove' as nightclub owner Crocket. In addition to his hip hop empire, which also includes Def Comedy Jam and Def Poetry Jam, he's a fashion entrepreneur with labels including Phat Farm and the sneaker company Run Athletics. Simmons has been devoted to causes such as alleviating poverty, AIDS advocacy and the Hurricane Katrina effort, and was named a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador.
![R&B star Sheila E played herself as the main love...]()
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R&B star Sheila E played herself as the main love interest in the film, whom both Russell and Run are after. Sheila E (real name Sheila Escovedo) is best known for her recordings with Prince, including 'Let's Go Crazy' and 'Erotic City,' but she also had hits in her own right, such as 1984's 'The Glamorous Life.' The singer-percussionist is still making music and has performed with the likes of Prince, Phil Collins, Gloria Estefan and with her brothers in the E Family Band.
![Darryl 'D.M.C.' McDaniels also appeared in the movie. His solo...]()
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Darryl 'D.M.C.' McDaniels also appeared in the movie. His solo album, 'Checks Thugs and Rock N Roll', was released in 2006.
![Blair Underwood played Russell Walker, head of the Krush Groove...]()
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Blair Underwood played Russell Walker, head of the Krush Groove label - the character based on Russell Simmons himself. Underwood has lately been seen on TV series such as 'Dirty Sexy Money,' 'In Treatment,' and 'The New Adventures of Old Christine.' He also played Miranda's hunky neighbor, Dr. Robert Leeds, on 'Sex and the City.'
![Queens rapper LL Cool J, who released his first album...]()
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Queens rapper LL Cool J, who released his first album 'Radio' as a teenager in 1985, later became known for hits like 'Mama Said Knock You Out,' 'Around the Way Girl' and 'Doin' It.' He's also an actor, starring in movies like 'Any Given Sunday' and 'Deliver Us From Eva,' and most recently appeared on TV as Special Agent Sam Hanna in 'NCIS: Los Angeles.'
![Kurtis Blow, who hails from Harlem, got his start as...]()
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Kurtis Blow, who hails from Harlem, got his start as Kool DJ Kurt and went on to create hits like '8 Million Stories' and 'If I Ruled the World.' He has also produced hits for Run-D.M.C., The Fat Boys and others. Blow has recently dedicated himself to hip hop ministry, and became an ordained minister in 2009.
![Joseph 'Run' Simmons - younger brother of Def Jam founder...]()
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Joseph 'Run' Simmons - younger brother of Def Jam founder Russell Simmons - appears in 'Krush Groove' as himself, along with the rest of Run-D.M.C. Known for hits like 'Walk This Way' and 'My Adidas,' the group in 2009 became the second hip hop act inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rev Run, now an ordained minister, became familiar to a new generation of music fans through the reality show 'Run's House' on MTV, which chronicled his family life.
![Damon Wimbley, aka Kool Rock Ski, is still touring and...]()
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Damon Wimbley, aka Kool Rock Ski, is still touring and also working on a Fat Boys clothing line, according to his Web site. He's also slimmed down a bit: 'The Rock Man is a slim and trim 175 pounds and he praises god everyday for his health and success,' he writes.
![Darren Robinson, aka Buff Love, died of a heart attack...]()
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Darren Robinson, aka Buff Love, died of a heart attack at just 28 years old after struggling with health problems. He was known as 'The Human Beat Box.'
This fictional account of the birth of Def Jam records features a crew of old-school hip hop stars as themselves.
