Jam Master Jay, aka Jason Mizell, was so full of talent and enthusiasm. He was recruited as the Dee jay for Run DMC because he had the equipment, essentially becoming the band for Run-DMC, using turntables and flawless cutting and scratching techniques to take both the groups hardcore music and the most powerful live stage performance in the history of rap to higher levels. When we heard of his passing, it seemed unbelievable that he was gone, and so tragic the way he left. 

Jam Master Jay appeared to be the nicest of New Yorkers. Yes, the band’s image was tough, but when you met Jay, he was the nicest of people, made you feel comfortable in his presence and he would often use reverse psychology and make it seem like you were the star, not him. Jay would smile more often than the others in his craft and was very curious and opinionated about everything he saw and everybody he met while in Canada. 

And when it came to live performance, Jam Master Jay was ahead of his time.  When Run-DMC gave him the spotlight, he was flawless using two turntables, breakbeats, a mixer and a mic to make every hip hop fan lose their minds with his scratching, looping, tricks and cuts. I certainly lost mine, he amplified the role of the dee-jay as essential to the fabric of hip hop. This was the Jam Master Jay that I knew and loved. 

Today’s news said that he was involved in cocaine smuggling since ‘96, but my memories of the Jam Master Jay snapshots to the 80’s, latest early 90’s. Jay’s not there to defend himself, but I’m wondering like many why the Run-DMC money was not enough to get him out of that criminal lifestyle. Some will say greed but that wouldn’t match the JMJ persona. 

I’m not sure for how many years it continued, but in case you didn’t know, Jay didn’t get his cut in his first years with Run-DMC.  He was paid like a session-musician for high-grossing shows before being promoted to official group member years later. Still, if he was selling coke, then others around him kept silent until this tragic shooting occurred followed by an investigation that is only now unlocking and uprooting answers that the hip hop culture has been awaiting for years. 

Two men accused of murder in the death of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay are set to go on trial today, more than 20 years after the trailblazing DJ was shot in his New York City recording studio. Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington are charged with the 2002 killing of then 37-year old Jam Master Jay and both have pleaded not guilty.

I loved Run-DMC and I loved their dee-jay Jam Master Jay (RIP). These three people were the meaning of hip-hop to me and it was my pleasure and thrill to interview them previous to their 1984 Toronto live performance. Below you can listen to a short excerpt from this exclusive recording, where you can hear Jam Master Jay, Run and DMC talk about their favourite records. 

Photo courtesy of AP Photo 📸 Krista Niles