Darryl "D.M.C." Matthews McDaniels (born May 31, 1964) is an American musician. He is a founding member of the hip hop group Run–D.M.C., and is considered one of the pioneers of hip hop culture. 　　McDaniels grew up in New York City.He was born to an unwed mother who surrendered him to the New York Foundling home.[citation needed] He was a ward of the Foundling, in foster care, until placed with the McDaniels and eventually adopted by them. He attended Rice High School[citation needed] in Manhattan and later enrolled in St. John's University in Queens. 　　McDaniels first became interested in hip hop music after listening to recordings of Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five. In 1978, McDaniels taught himself to DJ in the basement of his parents' home, using turntables and a mixer given to him by his older brother, Alford. During this period he adopted the stage name "Grandmaster Get High".