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Jam Master Jay

Jason William Mizell (January 21, 1965 – October 30, 2002), professionally known as Jam Master Jay, was an American DJ, musician, and record producer who served as the DJ for the groundbreaking hip-hop group Run-DMC.^[1]^[2] Run-DMC, formed in Hollis, Queens, in 1983, achieved pioneering success by blending rap with rock elements, earning the first gold and platinum certifications for a hip-hop album with Raising Hell (1986) and collaborating with Aerosmith on "Walk This Way," which helped introduce hip-hop to mainstream audiences.^[3] Jam Master Jay's turntable techniques and production contributions were integral to the group's sound, contributing to their status as one of the most influential acts in hip-hop history, including appearances on MTV, Saturday Night Live, and the cover of Rolling Stone.^[3] Beyond Run-DMC, he founded Jam Master Jay Records in 1989, mentoring artists like 50 Cent early in their careers, and established the Scratch DJ Academy to teach DJing skills.^[1] On October 30, 2002, Mizell was fatally shot at age 37 in his Queens recording studio in a homicide tied to a dispute over a drug trafficking opportunity, a case that remained unsolved for two decades until federal charges in 2020 led to the 2024 convictions of Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. for his murder.^[4]^[5]

Early Life

Childhood in Brooklyn and Move to Queens

Jason William Mizell was born on January 21, 1965, in Brooklyn, New York, to parents Jesse Mizell and Connie Thompson Mizell (later Connie Mizell-Perry).^[6] His family provided a stable household amid the urban environment of 1960s Brooklyn, where socioeconomic conditions for many Black families reflected broader challenges of limited upward mobility in working-class communities.^[5] Around 1975, Mizell's family relocated to the Hollis neighborhood in Queens, a middle-class suburb offering relative safety and community cohesion compared to denser Brooklyn areas.^[1] ^[5] This move immersed the young Mizell in Hollis's evolving local culture, characterized by block parties and neighborhood gatherings that foreshadowed the rise of hip-hop, though his direct involvement in music came later.^[1] In Hollis, Mizell grew up in a modest but secure setting, attending Andrew Jackson High School in the Queens borough, where he navigated typical adolescent experiences in a diverse public school system.^[6] The neighborhood's proximity to emerging creative scenes provided incidental exposure to music through family influences and street-level interactions, without formal training at this stage.^[1]

Introduction to Music and DJing

Jason Mizell began developing his musical talents in Hollis, Queens, after his family relocated there from Brooklyn in 1975, when he was 10 years old. By age 13 in 1978, he transitioned to DJing, leveraging prior experience with instruments including trumpet, bass, guitar, and drums from school bands to rapidly grasp turntable techniques. He practiced extensively at night using Technics SL-1200 turntables and headphones, mastering scratching and mixing through self-directed repetition on limited, entry-level equipment often accessed via local peers.^[1] These foundational skills enabled early performances at neighborhood parks, bars, and intimate parties in Hollis, where Mizell built a local following by delivering energetic sets that emphasized rhythmic precision and crowd engagement. Adopting the stage name Jam Master Jay to signify his prowess in "jamming" on the decks, he refined his craft amid the burgeoning hip-hop scene, relying on modest setups without formal instruction. His quick proficiency stemmed from innate timing honed through instrumental play, allowing him to outperform expectations in these grassroots venues despite resource constraints.^[1] In the early 1980s, around 1982 following high school, Mizell connected with Joseph Simmons and Darryl McDaniels through overlapping Hollis networks centered on basketball courts and music gatherings, such as those at Two-Fifths Park. These encounters, rooted in shared community activities, positioned him as a potential collaborator, highlighting his emerging influence as a self-reliant DJ in the local scene prior to broader group endeavors.^[1]^[5]^[7]

Career

Formation of Run-D.M.C.

Jason Mizell, professionally known as Jam Master Jay, completed the lineup of Run-D.M.C. in 1983 by joining Joseph Simmons (Run) and Darryl McDaniels (DMC), fellow Hollis, Queens natives who had begun collaborating as MCs a few years earlier. Mizell, an adept DJ from Brooklyn who had honed his skills on turntables, brought essential scratching and beat manipulation to the group, crafting a raw, unpolished sound rooted in street life that prioritized lyrical directness over ornate arrangements. This DJ-MC synergy marked a pivotal evolution in hip-hop's format, positioning the turntablist as a core performer rather than peripheral support.^[8] The trio's debut single, "It's Like That" backed with "Sucker M.C.'s," arrived on March 12, 1983, via Profile Records, showcasing Mizell's contributions through sparse breaks and scratches layered over Larry Smith's drum machine programming on an Oberheim DMX. Eschewing the synthesizer flourishes and disco influences common in prior rap productions, the tracks delivered a minimalist aesthetic—sharp, repetitive hi-hats, booming kicks, and unadorned rhymes decrying social hardships and inauthentic "sucker" MCs—that underscored hip-hop's authentic, no-frills ethos and influenced subsequent artists toward genre purity.^[9]^[8] Run-D.M.C.'s self-titled debut album followed on March 27, 1984, also through Profile Records, solidifying the group's structure with nine tracks that amplified Mizell's foundational beats and live DJ flair. Unlike ensembles reliant on session musicians, the record foregrounded Jam Master Jay's turntable work as integral to the trio's identity, blending aggressive scratches with hard-hitting rhythms to pioneer a blueprint for hip-hop's rhythmic backbone and reject crossover polish in favor of Queens-bred grit.^[8]

Breakthrough Albums and Mainstream Crossover

Run-D.M.C.'s second album, King of Rock, released on January 21, 1985, marked their initial mainstream breakthrough, achieving platinum certification by the RIAA on February 18, 1987, and making the group the first in hip-hop to reach that milestone.^[10]^[11] Jam Master Jay, as the group's DJ, contributed innovative scratching and production elements that integrated sparse drum breaks with guitar riffs, helping to craft a sound that appealed beyond traditional rap audiences.^[12] The album's title track and other singles emphasized a disciplined ethos, rejecting the ostentatious materialism emerging in some rap circles. The 1986 album Raising Hell propelled Run-D.M.C. to global prominence, with the collaboration "Walk This Way" featuring Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100—the first rap single to enter the Top 10—and fostering the rap-rock fusion subgenre.^[13]^[14] Jay's turntable work on the track, including rhythmic scratching over the original guitar riff, bridged hip-hop and rock, while the album's overall sales exceeded three million copies, contrasting the group's clean, anti-drug stance with the rising gangsta rap trends.^[15] This disciplined image was reinforced through performances like the 1986 anti-crack concert at Madison Square Garden.^[16] Tracks like "My Adidas" from Raising Hell highlighted Jay's role in live shows, where his visible DJing—eschewing sneakers for authenticity by cutting the laces off—led to a groundbreaking $1.6 million endorsement deal with Adidas in mid-1986, the first for a non-athletic musical act.^[17] This crossover success defied rap stereotypes of excess, promoting everyday apparel and solidifying Run-D.M.C.'s influence on fashion and music tours that drew diverse crowds.^[18]

Production and Entrepreneurial Ventures

In 1989, Jason Mizell, known as Jam Master Jay, founded JMJ Records to cultivate emerging hip-hop talent from his native Hollis, Queens neighborhood.^[19] The label signed local acts such as Onyx, Jayo Felony, and The Afros, providing a platform for raw, skill-focused artists amid the genre's growing commercialization.^[20] Mizell took an active role in production, handling nearly all tracks for JMJ signees and emphasizing technical proficiency in beats and mixing over fleeting trends.^[21] A key success came in 1993 with Onyx's debut album Bacdafucup, which he executive-produced and which achieved platinum certification; the single "Slam," co-produced by Mizell, peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart, blending aggressive energy with precise drum breaks.^[22] He invested in a dedicated recording studio equipped for professional sessions, mentoring acts through hands-on guidance to refine their craft.^[23] By the late 1990s, Mizell extended his production reach to 50 Cent, signing the Queens rapper to JMJ and producing early demos that showcased street narratives backed by hard-hitting instrumentation.^[24] This work involved providing studio access and structural feedback, helping shape 50 Cent's initial sound before pitching tapes to major labels like Def Jam, though they were rejected at the time.^[25] Balancing these ventures with Run-D.M.C. obligations, Mizell sustained his influence by prioritizing authentic hip-hop production that prioritized rhythmic innovation and lyrical delivery.^[1]

Declining Phase and Side Activities

Following the peak of Raising Hell in 1986, Run-D.M.C.'s commercial momentum waned in the late 1980s and 1990s amid hip-hop's shift toward gangsta rap aesthetics and West Coast dominance, which marginalized their rock-infused style. Their 1988 album Tougher Than Leather debuted at number 9 on the Billboard 200 and achieved platinum certification for one million units sold, yet it fell short of prior successes due to production delays, internal Profile Records disputes, and promotional challenges tied to a concurrent feature film.^[26] By 1990, Back from Hell marked further sales erosion and received the group's harshest critical reception, reflecting broader industry turmoil that sidelined East Coast old-school acts.^[27] Jam Master Jay, Jason Mizell, faced personal financial strain from stalled group revenue, accruing nearly $1 million in IRS back taxes and other debts by the early 2000s, prompting unreported involvement in cocaine sales to cover living expenses and support family.^[28]^[29] During the 2024 federal murder trial, convicted drug dealer Ralph Mullgrav testified that Mizell reluctantly distributed cocaine in Queens starting around 2001, sourcing kilograms from Maryland suppliers for local resale to "make ends meet," despite Run-D.M.C.'s public anti-drug stance.^[30]^[31] Prosecutors described Mizell as a middleman in these deals, handling logistics for 10-kilogram shipments valued at $300,000, though the activity remained concealed to avoid tarnishing his pioneering image.^[32]^[33] Parallel to these covert operations, Mizell sustained lower-profile pursuits, including solo DJ gigs in New York and mentoring via his JMJ Records label, which signed acts like Onyx in the early 1990s and later 50 Cent.^[34] He co-founded the Scratch DJ Academy in Queens to train at-risk youth in turntablism, emphasizing skill-building over commercial revival, and maintained community ties through informal sessions without highlighting group-era fame.^[35] These efforts underscored a pivot to grassroots influence amid fiscal pressures, with Mizell prioritizing discretion to preserve Run-D.M.C.'s legacy unmarred by evident hardship.^[29]

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Jam Master Jay married Terri Corley-Mizell in 1991, and the couple remained together until his death in 2002.^[36] ^[37] He fathered three sons with her—Jason Mizell Jr. (who performs as DJ Jam Master J'Son and continues aspects of Run-D.M.C.'s legacy), Jesse Mizell, and T.J. Mizell (also a DJ)—as well as a daughter, Tyra Myricks, from a prior relationship.^[38] ^[39] Mizell prioritized family privacy, raising his children in the Hollis, Queens neighborhood where he grew up, even as Run-D.M.C. achieved national prominence.^[40] His sons have recalled him as a disciplined provider who stressed the importance of education alongside musical training, often involving them in DJing and hip-hop activities at home.^[38] ^[41] The family maintained a low public profile throughout his career, with no reported instances of marital infidelities, separations, or domestic scandals.^[42]

Residence and Community Ties

Jason Mizell resided in the Hollis neighborhood of Queens, New York, throughout his adult life, having moved there from Brooklyn around age 10 and maintaining deep roots in the community despite achieving national fame with Run-D.M.C.^[5]^[43] This choice contrasted with peers who often relocated to upscale suburbs or Manhattan, as Mizell prioritized proximity to his origins in the family-oriented, middle-class enclave of eastern Queens.^[44] His persistence in Hollis underscored a preference for local stability over the isolation of celebrity enclaves, even as the area faced socioeconomic pressures from urban decay and drug proliferation in the 1980s and 1990s.^[45] Mizell's community ties extended to grassroots involvement in Hollis's social fabric, including associations with the neighborhood's "Hollis Crew" and local basketball circles that fostered youth engagement amid rising street challenges.^[46] These networks, born from the same blocks that birthed early hip-hop, reflected authentic interpersonal bonds in a pre-gentrified Queens landscape, emphasizing resilience through personal initiative rather than external aid systems.^[47] However, such ties also entangled him with figures from the area's underbelly, including associates later linked to narcotics disputes, highlighting the unvarnished realities of neighborhood loyalty where informal economies coexisted with cultural innovation.^[4] In Hollis, Mizell's presence symbolized grounded success, as evidenced by posthumous tributes like the 2009 renaming of a local intersection to "Run DMC JMJ Way," affirming his enduring local impact without romanticizing the environment's hazards.^[48]

Murder

Circumstances of the Shooting

On October 30, 2002, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Jason Mizell, professionally known as Jam Master Jay, was fatally shot in the head inside Merrick Recording Studio in Jamaica, Queens, New York City.^[49]^[50] The assailants, later identified in court proceedings as two men who entered the studio via a rear fire escape, included one who approached Mizell at close range and fired, singeing his hair from the proximity of the gunshot.^[49]^[51] Witnesses present, including Uriel Rincon, a studio assistant who was himself wounded in the leg during the incident, observed the events unfold; another witness, artist Yarrah Concepcion, later described checking Mizell's pulse and noting brain matter from the head wound.^[52]^[53]^[54] Mizell, aged 37, was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a nearby hospital, having succumbed instantly to the head wound.^[51]^[50] Prosecutors in the ensuing federal trial attributed the killing to a dispute over Mizell's exclusion from a planned cocaine distribution deal, with the gunmen motivated by revenge after he backed out and involved others instead.^[4]^[55]

Immediate Aftermath and Initial Theories

Jam Master Jay, whose real name was Jason William Mizell, was pronounced dead at 7:00 p.m. on October 30, 2002, shortly after being shot in the head at his 24 Hour Productions studio in Hollis, Queens. Paramedics and witnesses, including studio employees, provided immediate aid, but the wound was fatal, with reports describing severe trauma such as brain matter visible at the scene.^[54] Run-D.M.C., the pioneering hip-hop group, announced its disbandment on November 7, 2002, with remaining members Joseph Simmons and Darryl McDaniels stating they could not continue without Mizell, marking the end of the trio's nearly two-decade run.^[56] The hip-hop community responded with widespread mourning, including vigils and tributes from artists such as Chuck D, Nelly, and Queen Latifah at events like the 2002 Billboard Music Awards.^[57] Mizell's funeral on November 5, 2002, at the Allen A.M.E. Church in Jamaica, Queens, drew thousands, with pallbearers in white unlaced Adidas sneakers—a nod to Run-D.M.C.'s signature style—carrying his casket in a horse-drawn carriage procession.^[58] Eulogies emphasized his role in elevating hip-hop, though speakers like Simmons urged against vengeance and highlighted the need for justice amid Queens' prevalent street violence.^[59] New York Police Department investigators initially classified the killing as targeted rather than random, noting no robbery motive since Mizell's wallet, jewelry, and cash remained untouched at the scene.^[60] Early speculation in media and hip-hop circles pointed to possible rivalries with other artists or gang-related disputes, fueled by the era's East Coast rap tensions, though police found no immediate evidence linking it to such feuds.^[61] Family members and associates, including Simmons, publicly called for a thorough investigation, expressing frustration over the lack of suspects while contextualizing the incident within Hollis's high-crime environment of drug trafficking and shootings, without attributing delays to external factors at that stage.^[62] These theories remained unsubstantiated hypotheses, as forensic evidence yielded few leads beyond the .45-caliber gunshot residue and witness accounts of two masked intruders.^[5]

Long Investigation and Obstacles

The investigation into Jason Mizell's murder stagnated almost immediately after October 30, 2002, primarily due to pervasive witness reluctance in Queens' hip-hop community, where a code of silence discouraged cooperation amid fears of retaliation from street-affiliated networks.^[63] ^[5] Individuals present at the Merrick Boulevard studio, including potential eyewitnesses, provided initial statements to NYPD detectives but later recanted or withdrew entirely, citing loyalty to Hollis neighborhood ties and risks to personal safety.^[5] This dynamic, emblematic of broader challenges in probing intra-community violence, yielded no arrests despite early canvassing and rewards exceeding $50,000 offered by authorities and Mizell's family.^[64] Efforts persisted into the 2000s and 2010s through NYPD cold case reviews and federal task force involvement, but empirical hurdles remained formidable.^[50] Forensic analysis was constrained by incomplete scene processing; the rear door—believed to be the intruders' entry—went unexamined by crime scene units, and recovered DNA matched only peripheral figures, not suspects, limiting ballistic and genetic linkages.^[65] Recurring attempts to re-interview associates faltered as the same fear-driven reticence prevailed, with sources noting that Mizell's longstanding friendships in drug-involved circles further eroded trust in law enforcement.^[5]^[66] Media-driven hypotheses implicating organized crime syndicates like the Black Mafia Family or escalating hip-hop rivalries surfaced in the mid-2000s but lacked corroborative evidence, prompting investigators to redirect scrutiny toward localized disputes within Mizell's immediate social and entrepreneurial orbit.^[50] These speculations, often amplified by unverified insider accounts, diverted resources without advancing leads, underscoring how unsubstantiated narratives can impede fact-based inquiry in high-profile cases.^[5] By the late 2010s, accumulated tips from confidential informants gradually refocused the probe on interpersonal conflicts over business exclusions, though persistent non-cooperation prolonged the impasse.^[4]

Arrests, Trial, and Convictions

Federal authorities arrested Ronald Washington, a longtime friend of Jason Mizell from Hollis, Queens, and Karl Jordan Jr., Mizell's godson who had occasionally performed guitar for Run-DMC-affiliated projects, on August 18, 2020, in connection with the 2002 studio shooting.^[4]^[67] Both men, residents of Queens, were indicted by a federal grand jury for murder while engaged in a narcotics trafficking conspiracy, alleging the killing advanced a cocaine distribution operation.^[4]^[68] They pleaded not guilty and were detained pending trial.^[69] The trial commenced on January 29, 2024, in Brooklyn federal court before U.S. District Judge Frederic Block, with prosecutors presenting evidence that Mizell had sourced approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine from a California supplier for resale in Maryland, involving Washington, Jordan, and associates.^[4]^[5] A key dispute arose when Mizell excluded Washington from the deal due to Washington's fallout with a middleman, prompting the duo to target Mizell at his Merrick Boulevard studio on October 30, 2002.^[68]^[65] Prosecution witnesses included an eyewitness inside the studio who testified Jordan, armed with a handgun, entered through a side door unlocked by Washington—who acted as lookout—and fatally shot Mizell in the head at close range.^[70]^[71] Additional testimony featured associates recounting Washington's post-murder admissions of involvement to multiple individuals, corroborating the drug-related motive tied to the stalled narcotics venture.^[72]^[73] Ballistics evidence linked shell casings from the scene to a firearm recovered from Jordan's possession.^[4] On February 27, 2024, after roughly 7 hours of deliberation, the jury convicted both defendants on all counts: murder in aid of racketeering through narcotics conspiracy and using a firearm in the murder.^[4]^[49] Washington, 59, and Jordan, 40, each face a mandatory minimum of 20 years' imprisonment up to life, with Jordan facing a separate trial on related cocaine conspiracy charges.^[4]^[74] Sentencing was scheduled for later in 2024.^[67]

Post-Conviction Developments

Following the February 27, 2024, convictions of Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington for the 2002 murder of Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay), sentencing has been repeatedly delayed as of October 2025, with no date finalized amid ongoing post-trial motions.^[75] Jordan, held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, was stabbed multiple times—reportedly up to 18 wounds—during a prison altercation on February 23, 2025, and subsequently hospitalized, highlighting persistent security issues in federal detention facilities.^[76] ^[77] Mizell's family issued statements post-verdict affirming that justice had been served after two decades, while emphasizing the irreplaceable personal loss and rejecting narratives that romanticize or glorify any alleged involvement in drug activities as diminishing his legacy.^[78] ^[38] His sons specifically contested portrayals linking the murder motive to cocaine dealings as oversimplifications that ignored broader community loyalties and financial independence from Run-D.M.C. earnings.^[38] Both defendants filed appeals challenging the verdicts on evidentiary grounds, but none have succeeded by late 2025, effectively concluding the primary legal proceedings in the long-unresolved case.^[79] ^[80] A third co-defendant, Jay Bryant, awaits separate trial scheduled for 2025, but the convictions of Jordan and Washington mark the resolution of the core investigation into Mizell's death.^[4]

Legacy

Contributions to Hip-Hop Culture

Jam Master Jay, as the DJ for Run-D.M.C., elevated the role of the DJ from a behind-the-scenes technician to an equal onstage performer, setting a new standard for hip-hop live shows where the DJ's scratching and mixing were central to the energy and authenticity.^[8] His techniques, including spacious drum breaks and integration of guitar riffs, contributed to the group's raw sound that bridged street credibility with mainstream accessibility.^[12] This approach influenced subsequent acts by demonstrating that DJs could drive performances without relying on traditional instrumentation, helping Run-D.M.C. achieve milestones such as the first rap album certified gold (their 1984 debut) and the first to reach triple platinum with Raising Hell in 1986.^[81] A pivotal innovation came through the 1986 collaboration "Walk This Way" with Aerosmith, which fused hip-hop rhythms and lyrics over the rock track's framework, peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and exposing hip-hop to broader rock and pop audiences without compromising its origins.^[15] The track, produced by Rick Rubin and featured on Raising Hell, not only revived Aerosmith's career but also validated hip-hop's potential for genre-blending success, paving the way for future rap-rock hybrids and proving the genre's commercial viability beyond urban markets.^[13] Run-D.M.C.'s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2009 underscored this crossover impact, recognizing their role in expanding hip-hop's cultural footprint.^[3] In 1989, Jam Master Jay founded JMJ Records, an independent label that supported emerging Queens-based rap talent and built local infrastructure for hip-hop production outside major industry hubs.^[1] The label's breakthrough came with signing Onyx, whose 1993 debut Bacdafucup achieved platinum status, exemplifying Jay's ear for aggressive, street-oriented sounds that resonated in the early 1990s rap scene.^[82] This venture fostered self-reliance among artists, emphasizing grassroots development and technical mentorship in DJing and production.^[20]

Criticisms and Cautionary Aspects

Despite Run-DMC's prominent anti-drug messaging, including public service announcements and lyrics decrying narcotics use, Jason Mizell, known as Jam Master Jay, engaged in cocaine distribution in the mid-1990s as the group's commercial success waned, reportedly to sustain financial obligations to relatives and associates.^[5]^[83] Trial testimony revealed Mizell acting as a middleman for cocaine sales, including plans to acquire and redistribute 10 kilograms, a stark departure from his public persona as a hip-hop pioneer advocating clean living.^[30]^[32] This shift stemmed from post-peak financial strain, with Mizell facing substantial debts, including approximately $500,000 owed to the IRS and mortgage burdens on his properties at the time of his death in 2002.^[84] Declining revenues after Run-DMC's early 1990s hiatus and unsuccessful ventures, such as his JMJ Records label, prompted reliance on illicit activities rather than diversified legitimate income streams.^[5] Such mismanagement exposed vulnerabilities in the self-made ethos of early hip-hop, where rapid fame often lacked sustained fiscal discipline. Mizell's ties to street-affiliated individuals, including longtime acquaintances involved in narcotics, facilitated betrayal by those excluded from lucrative deals, illustrating how persistent entanglements with unreliable networks eroded the genre's aspirational narrative of upward mobility.^[4] These associations, rooted in Queens' local scene, prioritized short-term gains over security, contravening the disciplined image Run-DMC projected.^[32] The protracted investigation into his 2002 killing, spanning over two decades before arrests in 2020 and convictions in 2024, was hindered not solely by institutional factors but by entrenched hip-hop cultural norms against cooperating with law enforcement, known as the "no snitching" code, which deterred witnesses despite multiple people present at the scene.^[85]^[86] This reluctance, valorized in rap lyrics and community lore for preserving "street cred," impeded causal clarity and justice, revealing self-imposed barriers within the subculture that compounded external investigative challenges.^[87]

Family Continuation of Work

Jason Mizell Jr., performing under the stage name DJ Jam Master J'Son, serves as the official DJ for Run-D.M.C., filling his father's role in live performances and tributes, including a notable appearance at Jay-Z's Made in America festival in 2012.^[88] His brother TJ Mizell, known professionally as DJ Dasmatic, also continues the family's DJ legacy through tribute sets and collaborations honoring Run-D.M.C.'s contributions to hip-hop.^[89] The Mizell family oversees foundations dedicated to perpetuating Jason Mizell's commitment to music education, such as the Jam Master Jay Foundation for Youth, co-founded by his mother Connie Mizell-Perry, which provides arts programs for at-risk youth in underserved communities.^[90] Similarly, the Jam Master Jay Foundation for Music partners with organizations like Little Kids Rock to integrate hip-hop instruction into school curricula nationwide, emphasizing skill-building and creativity over dwelling on past tragedies.^[91]^[92] In the wake of the February 2024 convictions of Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. for the 2002 murder, family members, including the sons, have shared in interviews that closure enables a renewed focus on preserving Mizell's positive influence through ongoing music initiatives, viewing hip-hop's constructive elements as central to healing and forward momentum.^[93]^[38]^[36]

References

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Jam Master Jay - Hip Hop Golden Age
Jason William Mizell a.k.a. Jam Master Jay Born: January 21, 1965 in New York City, New York, U.S.. Died: October 30, 2002 in New York City, New York, U.S.
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Released on March 12, 1983, "It's Like That" was Run–D.M.C.'s first single. It became a club favorite along with its popular B-side, "Sucker M.C.'s."<|separator|>
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Full music credits for Jam Master Jay: 102 performances. Roles performed: producer, writer, remixer, songwriter, executive producer.
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[29]
Run DMC's Jam Master Jay kept to Queens roots
Mar 3, 2024 · But in the months before his murder, Jam Master Jay built up a double life as a middleman for drug dealers as he struggled to pay the bills and ...
[30]
Jam Master Jay dabbled in drug sales 'to make ends meet,' witness ...
“maybe 1 or 2 ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[31]
Jam Master Jay sold cocaine to pay the bills, witness in murder trial ...
Feb 6, 2024 · Jam Master Jay 'reluctantly' sold cocaine to pay the bills, witness in murder trial testifies. Jason Mizell's pioneering hip hop group, Run-DMC, ...
[32]
Murder Trial Lays Bare a Hip-Hop Pioneer's Double Life
Feb 17, 2024 · The Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay secretly turned to the drug trade to keep providing financial support to relatives and friends, according to testimony.
[33]
Jam Master Jay Trial: Recording Studio Turned to Chaos After ...
Feb 6, 2024 · Immediately after Jam Master Jay was killed in 2002, the recording studio where he had been hanging out became a scene of chaos.Missing: local equipment<|control11|><|separator|>
[34]
Here Are 48 of the Greatest Hip-Hop DJs of All-Time - XXL Mag
Apr 8, 2020 · Jam Master Jay. Vince Bucci, Getty Images. As the DJ for Run-DMC, Jam Master Jay helped put rap on the national radar during the 1980s, and ...
[35]
Golden Oldies: The Last Days Of Jam Master Jay
Oct 21, 2021 · The 2003 Playboy story that broke the news that the famous DJ was murdered over a drug deal gone bad. Read my new follow-up story above.Missing: credible | Show results with:credible
[36]
Jam Master Jay's Family Reflects on Killers, Murder Trial
Apr 22, 2024 · And then from there, one thing led to another, and five years later we got married [in 1991].” (She did not respond to requests for an interview ...Missing: date | Show results with:date
[37]
What Are Jam Master Jay's Wife and Kids Doing Now? Details
Feb 29, 2024 · Behind the scenes of Jay's rap career stood his wife, Terri Corley-Mizell. The pair tied the knot in 1991 and remained married until the DJ's death.
[38]
Jam Master Jay's sons speak out for first time since their ... - CBS News
Aug 26, 2024 · Two of Mizell's sons are speaking out about their father, sharing some very personal memories, and expressing their feelings on the long-awaited closing of ...Missing: date | Show results with:date
[39]
Three Men Charged With the Death of Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay ...
Jun 15, 2023 · Jam Master Jay was 37 at the time of his death. He left behind his wife, Terri Corley-Mizell, and four children. His son TJ Mizell has ...Missing: date | Show results with:date<|separator|>
[40]
As grim anniversary of Jam Master Jay's murder in Hollis nears ...
Oct 26, 2019 · Jay's family and friends remain frustrated and angry as the 17th anniversary of the murder looms without an arrest, much less a conviction, in ...
[41]
Sons of DJ Jam Master Jay Speak About Their Father's Legacy
Mar 20, 2024 · Now after years of waiting for closure on their father's death, his two sons, TJ and Jesse Mizell, spoke to CBS New York to share their feelings ...
[42]
Where Is Jam Master Jay's Wife Now? He Left Behind a Big Family
Aug 18, 2020 · At the time of his death in 2002, Jam Master Jay had been married to Terri Corley-Mizell, who continued to honor her husband long after he died.
[43]
The Attempt to Remember DJ Jam Master Jay - The Shadow League
Oct 30, 2013 · A piece celebrating the life of JMJ, the unlimited boundaries of his musical influence, and how his mere presence symbolized a brighter future.
[44]
RAP'S GOOD ON FAMILY- FILLED NEIGHBORHOOD Sense of ...
Nov 24, 2002 · Slowly but surely, Hollis began to blossom. “Hollis is an old Queens residential neighborhood with a touch of commerce mixed in,” said ...
[45]
https://frankowen.substack.com/p/how-i-unravelled-the-jam-master-jay
[46]
Shake James' journey from sneakerhead to community champion
Apr 14, 2025 · Shake recounts the unforgettable experiences of traveling, playing basketball with Jay and Run-DMC's world famous Hollis Crew, and the profound ...
[47]
Run DMC and the Revolution: Historic Hollis, Queens
Apr 3, 2009 · Hollis disguises some rather tragic moments in Queens history, its roots reaching all the way back to a horrifying, bloody moment of the Revolutionary War.
[48]
Hollis Ave., 205th Street now called Run DMC JMJ Way - QNS
Sep 7, 2009 · Sunday's ceremony to officially rename the corner of 205th Street and Hollis Avenue “RUN DMC JMJ Way” was more than about just honoring the world-famous ...
[49]
2 men are found guilty for the killing of Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay ...
Feb 28, 2024 · Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. were convicted Tuesday and face a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum life sentence for the 2002 killing of Jam ...
[50]
A timeline of Jam Master Jay's life and death and the long search for ...
Jan 28, 2024 · Jay's death and investigation. Jam Master Jay was shot and killed on October 30, 2002, at a recording studio in Jamaica, Queens. The group ...Missing: name | Show results with:name
[51]
Jam Master Jay Murder Jury Views Graphic Crime Scene Photos
Feb 1, 2024 · Two men are on trial in Brooklyn, New York, for the 2002 execution-style killing of Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay.Missing: wounds | Show results with:wounds
[52]
Jam Master Jay Witness Details Run-DMC DJ's Death at Trial
Jan 31, 2024 · Uriel Rincon, who was shot in his leg when assailants killed Run-DMC's DJ in 2002, told a jury that fear kept him from cooperating with authorities for years.
[53]
Woman who was inside music studio when Jam Master Jay was ...
Feb 1, 2024 · She said she asked him to help her check Mizell's pulse, so the two moved the 37-year-old rap star's arm. He had been shot in the head. "I'm ...
[54]
'Gone': Artist says Jam Master's Jay's brain leaked out - PIX11
Feb 1, 2024 · ... Jam Master Jay, was fatally shot in the head on Oct. 30, 2002. Alleged gunman showed up at Jam Master Jay's funeral: witness. “His brain ...
[55]
Run-DMC star shot by godson after drug deal dispute, court told - BBC
Jan 30, 2024 · Jam Master Jay, real name Jason Mizell, was 37 when he was shot in the head at his recording studio in Queens, New York, in October 2002. He ...
[56]
Run-DMC Will Disband After Rap D.J.'s Death - The New York Times
Nov 7, 2002 · Remaining members of rap group Run-DMC decide to disband after fatal shooting of member Jason Mizell, known as Jam Master Jay; hip-hop ...
[57]
Jam Master Jay Tribute: 2002 Billboard Awards - YouTube
Aug 17, 2020 · rundmc #jmj #jammasterjay #chuckd #nelly #bustarhymes #queenlatifah #naughtybynature #jarule #aerosmith a#50yearsofhiphop Chuck D., Nelly, ...Missing: disbanded | Show results with:disbanded
[58]
Slain DJ Jam Master Jay Laid to Rest - People.com
Nov 5, 2002 · Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay, shot to death in the video lounge of his Queens, NY, recording studio last week at the age of 37, was fondly eulogized at his ...
[59]
Rap Legend Laid To Rest - CBS News
Oct 31, 2002 · Pallbearers wearing white unlaced Adidas carried the body of slain Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay from a funeral service Thursday at which he ...Missing: disbanded tributes
[60]
All Your Questions About the Jam Master Jay Murder Trial, Answered
Feb 22, 2024 · Here are the answers to all your questions about Jam Master Jay's death and the trial against Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., ...
[61]
Jam Master Jay Murder Anniversary: Conspiracy Theories For Run ...
Oct 30, 2018 · Rapper 50 Cent, who was a protégé of Jay, was rumored to have factored, but not necessarily blamed, in the killing, too. At the time, 50 Cent, ...
[62]
https://www.oldschoolhiphop.com/features/jmjtribute.htm
[63]
Opinion | The Hip-Hop Media - a World Where Crime Really Pays
Jun 8, 2005 · The problem with this code of silence is that it allows people to get away with murder. ... Jam Master Jay, who was killed in 2002, and ...
[64]
3rd man charged in connection to Jam Master Jay's 2002 NYC murder
May 30, 2023 · For years, Mizell's death lingered as a cold case, with witnesses reluctant to speak up despite reward money being offered. With Post wires.
[65]
Jam Master Jay murder: Both men guilty of all charges in Run-DMC ...
Feb 26, 2024 · The cocaine was meant for distribution in Maryland by Washington, Jordan and other co-conspirators. A dispute between Washington and one of the ...
[66]
Witnesses reluctant to testify in Jam Master Jay murder trial ...
Jan 30, 2024 · Federal prosecutors filed a late night notice to the court Monday warning that some of its witnesses are now reluctant to testify and may lie ...Missing: obstacles challenges
[67]
2 men found guilty of murder in Jam Master Jay killing - NBC News
Feb 27, 2024 · A jury found two men guilty of murder in the killing of hip-hop icon Jam Master Jay in a New York City recording studio in 2002, federal prosecutors said.Missing: obstacles challenges reluctance
[68]
Jam Master Jay: Godson and childhood friend guilty of Run-DMC ...
Feb 27, 2024 · Karl Jordan Jr, 40, and Ronald Washington, 59, targeted the musician after being cut out of a drug deal.
[69]
2 men convicted of killing Jam Master Jay, decades after rap star's ...
Feb 27, 2024 · Mizell was gunned down in his studio in front of witnesses on Oct. 30, 2002. Like the slayings of rap icons Tupac Shakur and the Notorious ...
[70]
Jury finds 2 men guilty on all counts in Jam Master Jay murder trial
Feb 28, 2024 · ... verdict being announced on Feb. 27, 2024. Jane Rosenberg. Eyewitnesses testified that Jordan murdered Mizell inside his studio on Oct. 30 ...Missing: testimony | Show results with:testimony
[71]
Guilty verdicts in Jam Master Jay murder trial - NBC 4 New York
Feb 27, 2024 · Ronald Washington, a childhood friend, and Karl Jordan Jr., the DJ's godson, were found guilty on all counts in the death of Jam Master Jay, ...
[72]
Jam Master Jay Trial Witness Claims Defendant Confessed to Her
Feb 8, 2024 · A witness in the trial for two men accused of killing Jam Master Jay told jurors one of the defendants confessed to alleged crime to her.Missing: obstacles challenges
[73]
https://www.courthousenews.com/jury-finds-2-men-guilty-of-killing-run-dmc-icon-jam-master-jay/
[74]
2 Men Are Convicted in 2002 Killing of Run-DMC D.J. Jam Master Jay
Feb 27, 2024 · Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington were convicted of fatally shooting the hip-hop D.J., born Jason Mizell, in his Queens recording ...
[75]
Man convicted of murdering Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay stabbed in ...
Feb 25, 2025 · Jordan was hospitalized after the stabbing. His condition was not immediately clear. Jordan's sentencing date has not been set. A federal judge ...
[76]
Man convicted of killing rap legend Jam Master Jay is stabbed in ...
Feb 25, 2025 · One of the two men convicted of murdering rap legend Jam Master Jay was stabbed during a melee at a New York City jail over the weekend.
[77]
Jam Master Jay's Killer Stabbed 18 Times In Prison Altercation
Mar 12, 2025 · Karl Jordan, Jr., who was convicted of killing Jam Master Jay was stabbed 18 times during a gang war at a Brooklyn prison.<|separator|>
[78]
Jam Master Jay's Family Reacts to Murder Trial Verdict - People.com
Feb 28, 2024 · Jam Master Jay's Family Says 'Justice Has Been Served' After 2 Men Found Guilty of Run-DMC Member's 2002 Murder. Ingrid Vasquez is a Digital ...
[79]
Jam Master Jay's Convicted Killer Reportedly Filing Appeal - VIBE.com
Apr 9, 2024 · Ronald Washington's legal team is seeking a retrial or to have the guilty verdict overturned, claiming the government has failed to provide sufficient evidence.
[80]
Jam Master Jay's Convicted Killer Appeals Guilty Verdict - HipHopDX
Apr 9, 2024 · Should the two sides not come to a resolution, they are due to commence the trial in January 2025. Last year, Jay Bryant (49) became the third ...
[81]
[PDF] “Raising Hell”—Run-DMC (1986) - Library of Congress
It was the first rap album to achieve triple-platinum status (for sales of over three million copies) and the first rap album to reach number one on “ ...
[82]
Jam Master Jay (Jason William Mizell) | Hip Hop News
In 1989, Jam Master Jay created his own label JMJ Records and signed rap group Onyx in 1993 and later added a young 50 Cent to his roster in 1996.
[83]
Jam Master Jay dabbled in drug sales 'to make ends meet,' witness ...
Feb 5, 2024 · Ralph Mullgrav gave the first public testimony about the alleged drug dealing that prosecutors claim was the reason why the DJ was shot dead in ...
[84]
Jam Master Jay Net Worth
Aug 31, 2025 · He also allegedly owed a large debt to a neighborhood man named Curtis Scoon. One of the theories regarding Jay's death is that he was killed ...
[85]
Jam Master Jay's murder remains a mystery - The Today Show
Oct 26, 2007 · Stop snitching is all wrapped up in music sales, and the so-called 'street cred' in violence and keeping quiet about it.” Kelly said NYPD ...
[86]
Hip-Hop Documentary Reminds Us Death of Jam Master Jay Murder ...
Jun 3, 2008 · No Snitches: Hip-Hop Documentary Reminds Us Death of Jam Master Jay Murder Will Never Be Solved? Rodrigo Perez. By Rodrigo Perez. June 3, 2008 ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[87]
When Rappers Keep Their Mouths Shut Tight - The New York Times
Feb 19, 2006 · ... Jam Master Jay, the hip-hop pioneer gunned down in his recording studio in Jamaica, Queens, in 2002. In every case, investigators have been ...
[88]
Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay remembered, 10 years on - The Guardian
Oct 24, 2012 · A decade ago next week, the DJ Jam Master Jay was murdered at his studio – but his legacy lives on in hip-hop, writes Tom Hasson.Missing: members 1981 circles<|control11|><|separator|>
[89]
Q&A: Jam Master Jay's Sons on Joining Reunited Run-D.M.C.
Sep 5, 2012 · In his place onstage were his his two sons, Jason “Jam Master J'Son” Mizell Jr. and TJ “Dasmatic” Mizell.Missing: Rev | Show results with:Rev
[90]
About the JMJ Foundation for Youth | JMJ4Youth.org - WordPress.com
Co-founded by Connie Mizell-Perry and Marvin Thompson, the mother and brother of the late hip hop legend, the Jam Master Jay Foundation for Youth continues ...
[91]
Jam Master Jay Foundation for Music - Facebook
The Jam Master Jay Foundation for Music supports arts and music education in under-served schools and communities, continuing Jay's legacy of creativity and ...
[92]
Little Kids Rock Partners with Jam Master Jay Foundation - DJ Times
Jul 19, 2018 · The national non-profit Little Kids Rock has partnered with the Jam Master Jay Foundation aiming to bring hip-hop to music classrooms across the country.
[93]
Jam Master Jay's Family Speaks After Men Convicted in Run-DMC ...
Feb 28, 2024 · Jam Master Jay's family says 'justice has been served' following guilty verdict in Run-DMC DJ's 2002 murder.Missing: healing | Show results with:healing