Rapper Jam Master Jay, part of Run DMC, killed in shooting

Reuters ^ | 10/30/02 | Devlin Barret

[motexva]

Run DMC was a model rap group that did not embrace the violence and the sexism of their more contemporary peers. This is a suspicious crime in that there is the possibility that this is the next round in fighting between the rival LA and NYC rap interests, represented I believe on the East Coast by P. Diddy or whatever he is calling himself this week, and on the west by Suge Knight.

The rivalry is based on the gangland origins of different rap groups and has ties to the LA Ramparts police scandal. Many believe that both sides have spread money around to insure themselves from prosecution for their involvement in these crimes.

[motexva]

Why do you say good? Are you so hostile to rap music that you think that they should be murdered? Are you insane?

The members of Run DMC consistently spoke against the violence and debasement of women that is too common in much American pop music, not just rap.

You're a real piece of work.

[Lunatic Fringe]

If I recall, RunDMC even put out a gospel hip-hop album at one point.

[DainBramage]

Werd

[motexva]

I can't get the search to work, but I know there have been many postings here about the Rampart scandals, and the possible involvement of Suge Knight in them. I'm not of course suggesting that he had ANY involvement in this killing, but it's interesting how many rap stars have died in gangland style shootings in the last few years.

[Mordoch]

This has already been posted twice.

[motexva]

I guess search isn't working, because I found nothing under keyword Run DMC.

[Texaggie79]

Well, I'm glad you made it easy for us. I hate having to really get to know someone before you figure out what a complete asshole they are.

[motexva]

Enfield or "Jam Master J"?

[Cobra64]

Some rapper gets whacked? Who cares? This is so mundane. Move on.

[Texaggie79]

I do. A pioneer has passed, and I am sorrowful for such a great loss to the small community in hip-hop that truly does possess talent.

[Orangedog]

RunDMC was pretty tame compared to what is on the market today. Hell, I remember when the Washington Wives were wringing their hands over Def Leppaed and Prince.

Back in the 80's I thought that rap would fade away like a bad fart, but it seems to have taken over most of music market.

All I can say is that I'm glad the whole Vanilla Ice thing is done and over with. My 13 year old doesn't understand why every time someone my age hears the name Vanilla Ice, we snicker shake our heads. Guess you would have had to have been old enough to remember how rediculous that was.

[Cobra64]

Someday, when these people will have to be accountable and responsible for their own lifestyle survival, they'll give up on this kind of hate lyrics to noise with no melody.

[motexva]

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/lapd/bare.html

Frontline did a pretty balanced overview of the LA Ramparts scandal, and Suge Knight's name came up more than once in it. Some believe one of the principal cops (the one who fabricated stories about his fellow officers to avoid prosecution for I believe a bank robbery) was also the trigger man in the Las Vegas murder of Tupac Shakur.

[flying Elvis]

HAHA! Mr. Ice is still touring small venues. He comes here about twice a year and the college kids go nuts over him. They don't understand why I find their enthusiasm to so amusing.

[rdb3]

Some rapper gets whacked? Who cares? This is so mundane. Move on.

But you didn't "move on." And apparently you care, seeing as how you took the time to post to a thread about a subject you don't care about.

[rdb3]

Good

What's "good?" Please explain.

[motexva]

Some rapper gets whacked? Who cares? This is so mundane. Move on.

No thanks. A man has been murdered. The circumstances of his life and his murder suggest that he is the latest casualty in a multiyear war between east and west coast rap record producers, who began their careers as drug dealers and worse. The record companies are believed to be laundering blood money from the crack cocaine trade and other illicit activities, and these organizations are likely more powerful than the Cosa Nostra ever was.

There are many allegations of corruption at the LAPD and NYPD, and at the prosecutorial level. The same names keep coming up in the investigations of the deaths of Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G. and a host of other serious crimes committed in the LA and NY area.

This is likely not a simple matter as you allege. These incidents involve possible corruption at the highest levels of law enforcement. Prominent American entertainers are being murdered, and this week one of the men who has been implicated in these crimes is being feted at a million dollar birthday by an oil sheik. God knows what will go on at these festivities.

Maybe you don't care about murderers going unpunished, and drug money poisoning the well of American pop music. Maybe you don't care about drug money corrupting law enforcement and prosecutions. Maybe you don't care about good men and women on the LAPD getting their names dragged through the mud and being accused of murder, having their lives and careers ruined. I do and I suspect many others on this site do as well.