What happened to Run DMC’s Jam Master Jay?
THE Hip Hop world was left in mourning when DJ Jam Master Jay was killed in 2002.
Since the Run DMC star's death, many questions have been raised about why he was murdered and by whom.
Who was Run DMC's Jam Master Jay?
The late DJ Jam Master was part of the superstar rap group Run DMC.
His real name was Jason Mizell, and he was well-liked and respected in the hip-hop community.
Mizell, along with Joseph “Run” Simmons and Darryl “DMC” McDaniel, became massive stars in the 1980 with hits like It's Tricky and Walk This Way.
The 37-year-old was also a father of three.
What happened to Jam Master Jay?
On Wednesday, October 30, 2002, at 7:30 pm, Mizell was fatally shot by an unknown person in New York City.
It happened in a recording studio on Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens.
The other person in the room, 25-year-old Urieco Rincon, was shot in the ankle and survived.
Why was Jam Master Jay killed?
On August 17, 2020 prosecutors said Mizell was killed in a 2002 cocaine deal gone awry, after two men were indicted in the cold case.
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Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan, Jr have been indicted on charges of murder while engaged in drug trafficking in relation to the case, .
Federal prosecutors say Jordan and Washington murdered the rap star after he cut Washington out of the deal.
The two suspects are both in custody.
Washington is currently in federal prison on robbery charges, while Jordan was taken into custody Sunday, the Times reported.
Mizell had acquired 10 kilos of cocaine to sell in Maryland, .
Washington has reportedly been suspected of having some involvement as far back as 2007, . He was reportedly living on Mizell's couch in the days leading up to the murder.
He was also linked to the 1995 fatal shooting of Randy Walker, a close associate of late rap legend Tupac Shakur.
Who killed Jam Master Jay?
This has never been proven.
What made the murder so peculiar - and sparked countless theories about who was guilty - was that there were reportedly five people in the New York City studio on the night the legendary DJ was killed.
Yet none of them could tell authorities who pulled the trigger.
Over two decades, there has been much speculation about who would want to kill Mizell.
Some speculated that Mizell was killed as a result of a feud involving 50 Cent and a drug-peddling gang lord, while others thought it might be another rapper or some sort of disgruntled secret enemy.
A number of Queens residents had also claimed to know who killed the DJ, but would not disclose who it was to police for fear of retaliation, reports claim.
The new charges could put to rest dozens of theories about the killing.
However, as previously mentioned, Mizell’s godson, Karl Jordan Jr., and his childhood friend, Ronald Washington, were arrested in 2020, with federal prosecutors accusing them of killing the rapper.
“It was an ambush — an execution — and you’ll learn it was motivated by greed and revenge,” prosecutor Miranda Gonzalez told the jury.
In 2023, a third man named Jay Bryant, was also arrested in connection to the murder, although he will be tried separately.
The trial involving Jordan and Washington started on January 29, 2024.
What is the "Kings From Queens: The RUN DMC Story" documentary about?
Kings from Queens: The Run DMC Story covers the group's rise to fame, along with many of their milestones, including performing at Lie Aid in 1985.
"Their influence on culture shattered racial barriers, making them international stars and fashion leaders of the ‘80s," a synopsis from Peacock read.
"After a series of life-changing events and challenges, including the murder of their beloved DJ, Jam Master Jay, Rev Run, and DMC reunite to tell their story and celebrate the genre of music they established."
When can I watch the "Kings From Queens: The RUN DMC Story" documentary?
The Kings from Queens: The Run DMC Story premieres on February 1, 2024.
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It will be available exclusively on the streaming platform Peacock.
The docuseries consists of three one-hour episodes.