Daniel O'Connor (born December 12, 1968), better known as Danny Boy or Danny Boy O'Connor, is an American rapper, art director, and the executive director of The Outsiders House Museum. O'Connor spent his childhood in New York, before moving to Los Angeles in the 1980s. In the 1990s, O'Connor co-founded the rap group House of Pain, with fellow rapper Erik Schrody (Everlast) and DJ Leor Dimant (DJ Lethal). Based on their cultural heritage they fashioned themselves as rowdy Irish-American hooligans. O'Connor played the role of art director, designing logos, branding, hype man, and co-rapper. In 1992, with the singles "Jump Around" and "Shamrocks and Shenanigans", their self-titled debut album, also known as Fine Malt Lyrics, went platinum.
They followed it up with Same as It Ever Was (1994), which went gold, and Truth Crushed to Earth Shall Rise Again (1996), before they all went their separate ways. O'Connor took part in several music projects, and continued doing designs as freelance work. In 2006, O'Connor founded the rap group La Coka Nostra where he was joined by George Carroll (Slaine), William Braunstein (Ill Bill), Dimant, and Schrody (only for the first album). Together they have three releases: A Brand You Can Trust (2009), Masters of the Dark Arts (2012) and To Thine Own Self Be True (2016).
In 2016, O'Connor, who is a lifelong fan of S. E. Hinton's book The Outsiders and its film adaptation by Francis Ford Coppola, bought the house used in the film located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He turned it into a museum named The Outsiders House Museum, that contains much of the book and film memorabilia. For his efforts preserving a cultural landmark, he received a key to the city.
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Early life
O'Connor was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on December 12, 1968. He explained, that his father was incarcerated when O'Connor was two months old. O'Connor and his mother moved to Los Angeles when he was six. When O'Connor was seventeen, his father, a homeless alcoholic, was murdered by someone who poured gasoline on him to set him on fire. During that time O'Connor was in a gang involved in petty crimes, and he was placed on probation.
Career
1990–1992: Founding House of Pain and breakthrough
In 1990, O'Connor got together with fellow rapper Erik Schrody (Everlast) who had just released a rap album called Forever Everlasting (1990), that did not have much success. O'Connor knew Schrody when he went to William Howard Taft High School in Woodland Hills, California (1984–1986), and various hip hop event they attended in their teens. Both of Irish descent, they decided to make a hip hop group with this identity. While hanging out at O'Connor's home, Schrody noticed a cassette with the title House of Pain, which was a demo of a Punk group O'Connor tried to put together. Schrody really liked the name and felt they should re-use as their name. Schrody brought in his former DJ Leor Diamant (DJ Lethal) (who was actually born in Latvia) and House of Pain was created. While in House of Pain, O'Connor acted as the hype man, second emcee, art director and the graphic artist of the group. After they recorded a demo, for which O'Connor designed the cover, that created a bidding war among labels. The label they chose was Tommy Boy Records, who credits O'Connor's art work to have initially caught their attention.
In 1992, they released their debut album House of Pain, subtitled Fine Malt Lyrics. Their first single "Jump Around" was a major hit. In the United States, it peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, while reaching number 5 on the Hot Rap Songs, 13 on Rhythmic Top 40, 1 on Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales, number 17 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs, and is certified platinum. O'Connor expressed regrets for not doing any writing on Jump Around, for the later royalties it could have provided him. At the 35th Grammy Awards, "Jump Around" got them nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Their second single "Shamrocks and Shenanigans (Boom Shalock Lock Boom)", it peaked at 65 on the Billboard Hot 100, 75 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, 14 on the Dance Club Songs, and 74 on Radio Songs. The album peaked at 14 on the Billboard 200, 14 on the U.S. Billboard Top Current Albums, 16 on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, 14 on the U.S. Billboard Top Album Sales, and is certified platinum. The album was generally received as good to strong across major outlets. Critics highlighted its swaggering energy and dense, hard-hitting production, praising it as a solid and often exceptional entry in early 1990s hip-hop. Comparisons were drawn to both Licensed to Ill and traditional party-ready rap, but filtered through a working-class, Irish-American lens that gave the record its distinctive character. The consensus recognized its creative moments, accomplished sound, and above-average delivery that set it apart from many peers.
1993–1996: Subsequent success and group's breakup
In 1993, O'Connor with his group mates were among the rap artists who had cameo roles in Ted Demme's film Who's the Man?. For this project they provided a theme song by the same name, which was also used as a single for the soundtrack and their subsequent album. It rose to number 97 on the Billboard Hot 100, 77 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, and 10 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales.
In 1994, they released Same as It Ever Was. The album peaked at 12 equally on the Billboard 200, the U.S. Billboard Top Current Albums, the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, the U.S. Billboard Top Album Sales, and is certified gold. The second album drew a wider range of reactions than the debut, though the overall reception leaned positive. Some critics praised its progression and stronger sense of direction, with several awarding it four stars and noting its mix of laid-back grooves and driving force. Others found the record hard, compelling, and even among the toughest hip-hop of its year.
Also in 1994, O'Connor acted in Allan Arkush's television film Shake, Rattle and Rock!, part of the Rebel Highway series.
In 1996, they released Truth Crushed to Earth Shall Rise Again. The album peaked at 47 on the Billboard 200, 47 on the U.S. Billboard Top Current Albums, 31 on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and 47 on the U.S. Billboard Top Album Sales. At the release party, Schrody decided to breakup the group. The third House of Pain album received mixed reviews, with some dismissed it harshly, while others praised it as the group’s most consistent effort. With O'Connor fading almost entirely into the background, and unlike House of Pain’s first two albums that were brash, aggressive, and built for impact, the focus was on more brooding, often critical themes. Critics were divided some welcomed the grittier tone and saw it as their most cohesive effort, while others thought it lacked direction and energy compared to the raw spark of their earlier work.
Also in 1996, O'Connor was announced to be part of the cast of Soleil Moon Frye directorial debut. The film was released in 1998 as Wild Horses.
1997–2018: return from obscurity and back to prominence
After House of Pain disbanded, O'Connor said he struggled with drug abuse, a problem he developed when he became famous, and spent all the money he made from the group's success. He said he sobered up briefly in 2000 joining the twelve-step program but relapsed after a having a drink, and rejoined the program in 2005, and stayed sober ever since.
Nevertheless, O'Connor continued being involved in musical projects and did freelance work such as logo designing, streetwear, and sneakers.
In 2001, O'Connor's next group XSupermodels (XSM) only saw a promotional release for their album Artificial Intelligence. That year, he was the featured rapper in Powerman 5000's remake of the Frankie Goes to Hollywood hit song "Relax", on the Zoolander soundtrack.
In late 2004, the creation of the rap supergroup La Coka Nostra started when O'Connor was mentoring young artists. O'Connor explains that he took notice of two up and comers George Carroll (Slaine) and John Faster (Big Left) and brought them to meet his former DJ from House of Pain, Leor Diamant. They decided to make a group with an additional rapper, who did not stay too long, that Diamant took under his wing, as well as O'Connor becoming its hype man and art director. The group started releasing music on MySpace, and went viral. Eventually, O'Connor felt that there was a void and asked experienced rapper William Braunstein (Ill Bill) to join. The group's name came about, when O'Connor teased other members with that nickname, after they had a night out. Eventually, former House of Pain colleague Erik Schrody, showed interest to join. By 2008, the group consisted of O'Connor, Carroll, Diamant, Braunstein, and Schrody (who left some time after the first album was released).
In 2005, the documentary film Just for Kicks about the sneaker phenomena and history in hip-hop, had its world premiere. O'Connor was among the producers. It won "Best Documentary", and "Best Overall Film" at the USVI Film festival. It was part of the official selection at Tribeca Film Festival, Sheffield Documentary Festival, Amsterdam Documentary Festival, Bangkok International Film Festival, Res Fest, New York Latino Film Festival, San Francisco Black Film Festival, NYC Urban World Festival, Leipzig Documentary Festival, and US Virgin Islands Film Festivals.
2019–present: The Outsiders House museum and current works
O'Connor, a lifelong fan of S. E. Hinton's book The Outsiders and its film adaptation by Francis Ford Coppola, opened The Outsiders House Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on August 9, 2019. In 2009, O'Connor discovered the house where the lead characters of the film, the Curtis Brothers, lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma. O'Connor always had the thought of buying it, which he eventually did in 2016. O'Connor said he bought it sight unseen and when he first went inside that it was falling apart. With the help of friends, the Oklahoma Film and Music Office, the City Council, local business and individuals who volunteered the restoration started. After raising funds the house went through extensive renovations to restore it and maintain its authenticity from the film. A GoFundMe was set up for additional funds, notable donors include Jack White who donated $30,000 and Billy Idol. Also to raise funds, screenings of the film were organized that actor C. Thomas Howell (one of the film's lead) attended. Also in 2016, the street signs on the corner were changed to "The Outsiders way" and "The Curtis Brothers Lane". Since its opening, the museum now contains a collection of The Outsiders memorabilia. On the quiz show Jeopardy! a question about him and the museum was showcased ''Rapper Danny Boy O'Connor loved the Tulsa house used in the film version of this author's The Outsiders so he restored it''. Of the museum Hinton said “Danny has done a great job with the Outsiders House. People come from all over the United States, and even the world. He said teenage girls have walked in and burst into tears. It floors me.” The Museum is widely praised as a must-visit destination, especially for fans of the film or novel, and is consistently highlighted as one of Tulsa's top attractions. On the 2024 list of '25 things to eat, see and do this summer' People magazine listed The Outsiders House museum at number 3. For his efforts on preserving a cultural landmark O'Connor received a key to the city of Tulsa.
On November 1 of that year, the institution installed a plaque commemorating in a scene Rumble Fish (1983), another film directed by Coppola based on a Hinton novel shot in Tulsa, in the alley south of 5th Street between Main Street and Boston Avenue.
In 2021, separately from The Delta Bravo Urban Exploration Team and The Outsiders House museum, O'Connor acted in the suspense film Ida Red. That same year he was a prominent interviewee in Soleil Moon Frye's documentary Kid 90.
Personal life
During the height of House of Pain, O'Connor had a friendship with Mickey Rourke and was romantically involved with Soleil Moon Frye (with whom he maintains a friendship). He is also friends with Robert Romanus.
Accolades
1992 - Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group - "Jump Around" - Nomination - with House of Pain
2017 - Honorary High School Diploma - Will Rogers High School
2018 - Key to the city - Tulsa, Oklahoma
2025 - Tulsa Regional Chamber - Winner - Partner of the year: Regional tourism
Discography
with House of Pain
House of Pain (1992)
Same as It Ever Was (1994)
Truth Crushed to Earth Shall Rise Again (1996)
with XSupermodels
Artificial Intelligence (2001) promo album
with La Coka Nostra
A Brand You Can Trust (2009)
Masters of the Dark Arts (2012)
To Thine Own Self Be True (2016)
Filmography
Actor
Who's the Man? (1993) - Steve
Shake, Rattle and Rock! (1994) Cochran's Drummer Boy
Wild Horses (1998)
Let Me Make You a Martyr (2016) - Willie
Ida Red (2021) - Bird
Out for Exile (2022)
Little Dixie (2023) - Coka
One Day as Lion (2023) - Prison Guard MacDougal
King Ivory (2024) - Burl Cain
Interviewee
Kid 90 (2021)
Mad Props (2024)
Producer
Just for Kicks (2005)
Old House New Home (2022)