Legendary DJ Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC was shot
in the head and killed in a studio in Queens, New York. According to sources,
Jay was shot and killed when men entered the studio he was in and shot him.
Police said that Jay was shot and killed inside
of a studio on Merrick Boulevard around 7:30 PM. A second victim was shot and
killed in the leg, but that person has not been identified. Authorities suspect
that Jay knew his assassin. Police stated that Jay buzzed two men up to the
second-floor studio shortly before shots were fired in the lounge. Police have
made no arrests.
"I had just rapped to Jay," Grouchy
Greg of AllHipHop.com said. "You all have to realize what a huge loss this
is for hip-hop and for music in general. This is such a sad day. He was working
on bringing out new groups and working with the Scratch Academy. This is so
sad. His family members are still paging me using his 2way. I can’t believe
it."
"Run-DMC were the beatles of hip-hop,"
Chuck D said. Rappers and executives gathered in the rain where Jam Master Jay
was slain. Jay’s 15 year old son took solace in the arms of Lyor Cohen, now
the Chairman of Island Def Jam. "I really can’t believe this has happened,"
Cohen said. Cohen helped take Run-DMC to international fame, joining with Rush
Management and later working with Russell Simmons to create Def Jam.
In a statement to AllHipHop.com, hip-hop monthly
The Source said: "The Source is deeply saddened by the tragic death of
Jam Master Jay of the legendary hip-hop group Run-DMC. Jam Master Jay brought
the art form of turntablism to the forefront of hip-hop music. For close to
20 years he along with Run and DMC, helped to inspire fans and artists alike.
Run DMC were scheduled to perform Thursday (Oct.
31) as part of the half-time show at a Washington Wizards home game in Washington,
D.C.
Jay was preparing to release his latest group,
Rusty Waters. Jay also helped discover Onxy.
Jay, born Jason Mizell, was one of the founders
of a group that broke down the barriers for hip-hop, being the first rap group
to get played on MTV and one of the first black artists that the network gave
airtime to.
All three grew up in Hollis Queens. The group
was managed by Russell Simmons, who formed Rush Management. Under Russell’s
management the group signed a deal with Profile Records and proceeded to make
hip-hop history.