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-DMC, 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.