The Future will be our segment dedicated to the up-and-comers, the new burgeoning acts what we think will have an impact in hip-hop. For our very first piece, we take a look at a pioneer's lineage in Run's young son, Diggy Simmons.
In 1987, and through most of the early 80's, Hip-Hop used to be Run's House, which he co-owned with his partners DMC and the late, great Jam Master Jay. Two decades later, one of his sons would like to carry the torch and re-establish the Simmons name as a powerhouse in music and fashion. Enter 15-year-old Daniel "Diggy" Simmons, born from Run's second wife Justine (the one featured on MTV's "Run's House"). Diggy
seems to be on a mission to become a fashion icon, as his personal blog reveals his penchant for the most fashionable threads and kicks, name-dropping his personal favorites along the way. We all know how hip-hop and fashion is deeply embedded in the Simmons bloodline: from his uncle Russell's Def Jam and Phat Farm ventures, to his father's legendary Run DMC and their association with Adidas (the very first non-athletes to get an endorsement deal with an athletic apparel company), Diggy's moves shouldn't be so surprising at this point. So what about his rapping skills, you ask? Well, considering his tender age, we have to agree that he's already pretty promising so far; and that's not without saying there isn't room for development. Going off on Nas' classic "Made You Look", he flexes his lyrical muscle which makes for a couple interesting punchlines and a potent flow. Some of you will say that there's probably more than a few kids his age who can go off on a mic like this, but we can all agree that none of them have a rich, powerful uncle who can open doors for them, for better or worse. Will he eventually be worth the attention? You be the judge.


Diggy - Made you look Freestyle (Flow Stoopid) from Diggy Simmons on Vimeo.