Jam Master Jay Murdered (Run DMC Member Slain)

CNN ^ | 10/31/02

[wideawake]

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Jam Master Jay, the DJ of the longtime rap group Run-DMC, was shot in the head and killed Wednesday night in a Queens recording studio, according to New York police.

Another man, Urieco Rinco, 25, was shot in the leg and taken to a local hospital, police said.

Police are investigating the shooting, which took place inside a studio on Merrick Boulevard about 7:30 p.m.

No arrests have been made in the case.

Jam Master Jay was born January 21,1965, as Jason Mizell in the middle-class Hollis neighborhood of Queens, New York, according to the group's Web site. He linked up with Run (Joseph Simmons) and D.M.C. (Darryl McDaniels) -- also from Hollis -- scratching turntables for the two rappers who had just graduated from high school.

A year later, in 1983, the group released its first single, "It's Like That" with a B-side, "Sucker MC's," which spawned a phrase used in rap songs decades later.

Known for their loose Adidas-brand shoes and thumping beats, the trio is credited with beginning the current trend of combining rap music and rock 'n' roll in their hit remake of Aerosmith's "Walk this Way" in 1986, teaming up with the band's lead singer Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry.

The shooting death was met with shock by the group's fans who likened Run-DMC to the "Beatles" of rap music.

"May Jay remains an inspiration for us all -- a man with vision, creativity, generosity, and talent, one who condemned and spoke against violence, and was taken away from us, and his family, far too soon," one fan posted on the group's Web site.

News of Mizell's death evoked memories of the shooting deaths of rappers Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. in the late 1990s.

Unlike other rap artists whose lyrics glorified gangsters and "thug life," Run-DMC tried to distance itself from that image.

"They say we're putting out bad messages to the kids," Run told "Rolling Stone" in a 1986 interview, in response to violent outbursts at several of the group's concerts. "Our image is clean, man. Kids beat each other's heads every day. They are fighting because they were fighting before I was born ... we're role models."

Several of Run-DMC's songs boast about Jam Master Jay's DJ skills, including "Jam Master Jammin'" on the group's 1985 album, "King of Rock":

He has a little soul, to rock n' roll

Every record that he touches turns to gold

He's well conducted, self-instructed

His styles were plied, heavily constructed

Mechanically inclined, and if you don't mind

We add spice to your life, time after time

And think about times, where he's a long laster

We rock our rhymes for the Jam-Master

[wideawake]

This is a shame. These guys were always about having fun, they didn't sing in favorable terms about drug-dealing or prostitution. They didn't badmouth their country or their community. The Jam Master was born again about ten years ago and had focused on spreading a Christian message. It's a real shame - I grew up in NYC listening to his music. He was one of the good guys.

[wideawake]

Maybe you remember this guy.

[Revelation 911]

yeah - they always seemed to be enjoying themselves - I particularly enjoyed the video some years back in which they teamed with Aerosmith - "walk this way" - glad to hear he was born again -

[cop_4_ever]

Why is it that only RAP music entertainers (if you want to call them entertainers) come up the victims of "drive by shotings"? Not country, rock, blues or jazz entertainers. JUST RAP! I'll tell ya why, because if the young children today wasn't buying there crap on CD, they would be mostly jobless, untalented retards looking to shoot a drug dealer somewhere that ripped him or her off. I stress the term UNTALENTED! For those that will start the racist comments in reply to this post, don't, its not true. The same goes for that piece of crap M&M or any other color rap retard. Most sing of violence and drugs. If they promote there music by promoting that life, then why is this news?

Here is a thought: If some drunk alcoholic that beats his wife once a week wins the lottery, the millions won't change him, he will still drink and beat his wife. He just maybe able to hire a better Lawyer.

[mhking]

Black conservative ping

If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)

Extra warning: this is a high-volume ping list.

[Tacis]

Does anyone know where Willie was during this incident? Had he returned from the "Celebrate the Death of Wellstone" festivities? Because, ever since he was inducted into the black hall of fame, Willie has been deeply involved in community events. I don't think we can exclude him at this point.

[eureka!]

He was one of the good guys. Run DMC were fun and clean and got me into the early rap which was street music. I got to see them and it was great. Then, Hollywood took over with the gangsta cr*p and, well, here we are. May Jay rest in peace....

[Snidely Whiplash]

Here is a thought: If some drunk alcoholic that beats his wife once a week wins the lottery, the millions won't change him, he will still drink and beat his wife. He just maybe able to hire a better Lawyer.

Hey, here's a thought - change that "cop" part of your screen-name to "moron." Just a suggestion.

Love and Kisses,
Snidely

[wideawake]

You would expect that rappers like Biggie Smalls (who made a living dealing crack before he got famous) or Tupac Shakur (who was involved with street gangs) would get killed.

Jam Master Jay was a born again Christian who was never involved in crime or drugs, and his records always condemned drug dealing and gangsterism.

He was killed because two thugs who knew he had money got into his studio and shot him.

And, lest we forget, jazz and blues musicians have also died in street violence as well.

Jam Master Jay was not a wife beater, he did not sing of drugs and violence. He wasn't courting this kind of disaster.

May he rest in peace in the bosom of the Lord he loved.

[Deguello]

The Rap industry has had a lot of violent deaths. Is this related to the five percenters?

I remember the poor white trash Villia Ice telling the story of being held by his ankles at about the 30th floor of a hotel. I guess white boys can't jump.

[wideawake]

As far as I know Run DMC were Christians and had no association with Five Percent crackpots like the Poor Righteous Teachers, Gang Starr or X Clan.

You can usually tell if a group has a 5% attitude by listening to one of their records for a few minutes.

It was pretty clear to me, after listening to the first cut from Wu-Tang's second album that they had taken a 5%ish turn - a philosophy that was not in evidence on their debut.

[Deguello]

"and had no association with Five Percent crackpots"

Is that the problem, those not in tune with the Five Percenters are phased out?

[cop_4_ever]

May he rest in peace in the bosom of the Lord he loved.

Praise the Lord.....AMEN

[cake_crumb]

"Unlike other rap artists whose lyrics glorified gangsters and "thug life," Run-DMC tried to distance itself from that image."

Yes, they DID distance themselves from the sordid GANGSTA-type "rappers"...perhaps that was why he was murdered.

His death is a great loss. I really liked their music. I have ALWAYS loved Aerosmith, and I LOVED that video whith Run DMC and Aerosmith teaming up to remake "Walk This Way". Didn't they also team up with Will Smith in the '80's, to do "Parents Just Don't Understand", or was that a different group?

[cop_4_ever]

Aim for the center. Just a suggestion!

Have no fear as you kiss the center my dear, the last time I took a SNIDELY and wiped my WHIPLASH, it was left semi clean. Kiss away.

[cake_crumb]

"Why is it that only RAP music entertainers (if you want to call them entertainers) come up the victims of 'drive by shotings'?"

He was shot while inside a recording studio, which implies that this was not a "drive-bye".

[wideawake]

I don't think the 5% are intelligent enough to organize such a conspiracy.

Though I wonder if their lunacy is becoming more pervasive after 9/11?

[sharktrager]

I would say that the one displaying his low IQ is you.

An intelligent person does not make desparaging comments on a topic they have no knowledge of.

Perhaps I can add some things for you to consider.

For example, RUN-DMC actually released christian music on two of their most recent CD's.

Run is an ordained minister.

While people like MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice were trying to convert to the "gangsta" image, because it sold records, RUN-DMC came out and publicly said they would accept lower record sales if it meant they could maintain a positive image.

Jay built his studio in his old neighborhood, because he wanted to do what he could to improve conditions there.

I haven't listened to Rap for at least 10-years, but I have kept up with RUN-DMC's actions during this time because they were a very positive influence in a market full of criminals. While I can't say I'm a fan, I give credit where credit is due.

P.S. Aerosmith has a career today because of RUN-DMC. They had absolutely no hits for years prior to their collaberation with RUN-DMC.

[unclesam1]

It is great to know that he found Christ. Who would ever have thought they would have heard of a rapper doing that?