Davy D., also known as Davy DMX (named after the Oberheim drum machine), got involved with hip-hop by DJ'ing around neighborhoods in Queens. In the early '80s, as a guitarist, he joined with bassist Larry Smith and drummer Trevor Gale to form Orange Krush, a group who recorded a handful of singles, in addition to several backing tracks for Run-D.M.C., Sweet G, and Lovebug Starski. After the group separated, he worked with Kurtis Blow as a DJ and guitarist, providing significant contributions to If I Ruled the World and The Breaks. Scattered singles like 1984's One for the Treble and 1985's The DMX Will Rock put him on the map as a solo artist; in 1987, a full-length album called Davy's Ride followed for Def Jam. Apart from occasional behind-the-scenes work on records, Davy DMX also appeared as a member of the Afros, a comical group who sprouted from another group called Solo Sounds. Tuff City released a collection of four-track recordings called FFFresh, albeit without his knowledge. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi