Joseph Simmons, known by the stage name Rev. Run, is one of the founding members of the influential hip hop group Run–D.M.C. He is also a practicing minister. He is the brother of Danny Simmons, Jr. and Russell Simmons, the co-founder of Def Jam Records.

Before Run–D.M.C., Simmons was the lead vocalist in the hip-hop group called "The Force." He founded Run-D.M.C. as a lead vocalist along with friend Darryl "DMC" McDaniels and the late DJ Jason "Jam-Master Jay" Mizell. Run DMC was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Run began using the stage name of "Rev. Run" after he was ordained as a Pentecostal minister. He appeared on the MTV series reality series "Run's House," which revolved around his everyday life with his family. In 2002, he appeared on a special "Rap Stars" edition of "The Weakest Link" and was the third one voted off.

In 2007, he appeared with his son Diggy Simmons on "My Super Sweet 16," while attending a 16th birthday party for Diddy's son, Quincy. Diddy is also the producer of "Run's House."

In 2008, Simmons and his wife Justine teamed up with Kool-Aid and a non-profit organization called KaBOOM! to help build playgrounds in underserved communities. With Kool-Aid, they helped to build 24 playgrounds over the course of 2008 and raised awareness for the need for safe play spaces.

Simmons released a book, "Take Back Your Family: A Challenge to America's Parents," co-authored by his wife, Justine Simmons, and Chrisifer Morrow.

Simmons' daughter Victoria died shortly after being born in 2006, due to omphalocele, a birth defect that caused her organs to grow outside her body. The Simmonses allowed MTV camera crews of Run's House to document baby Victoria's death.

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