The Murder of Jam-Master Jay

The songs continue to infiltrate the walls of clubs and they were the poster boys for Adidas. On 30th October 2002, gunmen stormed the recording studio in Queens, New York, where Jam-Master Jay was shot to death. Beyond the success of Run DMC, what has transpired almost 20 years on since the murder of its resident DJ?

Jason Mizell was born in New York on January 21, 1965. He formed part of the rap trio Run-DMC alongside Joe “Run” Simmons and Daniel “DMC” McDaniels, most famously known for their hits “It’s Like That”, “Sucker MC’s” and their Aerosmith remake of “Walk This Way'“ throughout the 1980’s. Jay had produced the group’s final release in 2001, Crown Royal. Three children survived him following his death and his two sons DJ Jam Master J’Son and DJ Dasmatic continue to perform with Rev Run and DMC during shows.

Upon reading the charges submitted to the United States District Court in New York filed this week, it is alleged the defendants Karl Jordan Jr and Ronald Washington conspired to “distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing cocaine”, in a botched drug trafficking operation that resulted in the shooting of Jay. Count one relates to the “Murder of Jason Mizell While Engaged in Narcotics Trafficking”, with the second count relating to the “Firearm Related Murder of Jason Mizell”, according to the indictment filed.

Prosecutors have indicated the court papers do not yet indicate whether Attorney General William Barr seeks the death penalty, however they do allege that Mizell was involved in a cocaine trafficking scheme between 1996-2002. The investigation between the FBI and NYPD outlined the belief that Mizell sought to out Washington from a multi-state and multi-kilogram narcotics operation, after Mizell allegedly acquired ten kilograms of cocaine from a supplier in the Midwest in or around July 2002. So in retaliation, both Washington and Jordan sought revenge on Mizell due to the suspicions to remove him from the transaction, ultimately planning his execution. He was later found with a .40 calibre shot to the head.

Since the tip-off by a witness, both have since pleaded not guilty to the charges, and Washington had allegedly been living with Jam-Master Jay in the days leading to his death. Washington has been incarcerated since he was convicted for robbery offences since 2002, and is due for parole in 2022.

If convicted, they face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years, a maximum sentence of life in prison, or the death penalty. So you’d want to get this right.

Run DMC were also the first group to appear on the front cover of Rolling Stone, have their music videos broadcast on MTV, the first hip hop group to win a gold album, Grammy nomination and the second ever rap group to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, after Grandmaster Flash.

Jam-Master Jay has left behind a legacy beyond designing the trio’s distinctive style which famously includes gold chains, black hats and Adidas sneakers sans the laces. “How I dressed in High School is the way we dressed…my vibe is our vibe”.

Beyond the award winning tracks, the Run DMC also put its stamp on the style stakes. Given their love for Adidas evidently from their track “My Adidas” and asking their fans at a Madison Square Garden gig to hold up their sneakers in 1986, this was a marketers dream for the street wear brand. And naturally, a $1m endorsement deal was inked. Shaking its conservative Germanic image, a line of Run DMC which included sweatshirts and sneakers were released by 1988.

So for Jam-Master Jay he left his footprint on the music industry and Adidas, influencing the newly emerging hip hop culture to further evolve. The charges laid can bring some comfort in the pursuit of justice for Mizell, whilst his remaining family continue his legacy onstage.