Growing up as the son of Joseph "Rev Run" Simmons from the legendary Run-DMC, Daniel "Diggy" Simmons is proud to be a Simmons, but he wants to be known as Diggy, the fashion and shoe designer, trendsetter, and rapper in his own right. The charming middle son on MTV's Run's House who grew up with America watching, he now has members of the hip-hop community on the edge of their seats, anticipating what's to come from what many are calling "the next hottest thing." After inking a deal with Atlantic Records on his 15th birthday in March 2010, Diggy garnered some serious attention with "Just the Beginning," his sharp, ambitious take on Drake's "Over." His next effort, "Flow Stoopid," a freestyle track over Nas's "Made You Look," received instant co-signs from rap giants ranging from Lupe Fiasco and Kanye West to Common and Talib Kweli, becoming an instant viral sensation.
Performing on Hot 97's famed Summer Jam stage, Diggy was soon introduced to a wider audience, who left the annual concert seeing firsthand what all the hype was surrounding the young rapper was all about. Soon after, Diggy linked up with friend and Sony Music artist Bei Major for "Great Expecations," the first single off his second mixtape Airbone (2010). The single, which features Diggy rapping over a snare-driven beat, caught the attention of executives at AT&T, who decided to feature both the track as well as Simmons in their Big Shoes commercial campaign. In 2011, he dropped his first major label single, "Copy, Paste," which peaked at No. 29 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Diggy received the ultimate co-sign in April 2011, when XXL Magazine featured him in their Freshman Class issue, a printing dedicated solely to the standout artists the publication believes have made a strong impact and have the potential to transform this buzz into a concrete placement in the hip-hop world. While there is no denying that his last name plays a small role in the recent success of his career, Diggy has put in the time and hard work to get to where he is now. His loyal fans, whom he calls "jetsetters," know and appreciate the hard work and dedication he pours into each project, and he dedicates all his success to them. With his debut full-length studio album Unexpected Arrival set to drop on March 20th, Diggy is well on his way to a successful rap career, a fitting continuation of his father's legacy.
