Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizel

Jam Master Jay’s Accused Killers Were Found Guilty Of The Hip-Hop Pioneer’s 2002 Murder

by
jam master jay
Getty Image

Two men — Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. — have been found guilty of the 2002 murder of hip-hop pioneer Jam Master Jay. According to Variety, jurors at the U.S. District Court’s Eastern Division of New York in Brooklyn convicted the accused killers on Tuesday (February 27) after weeks of trial testimonies.

Jordan, who is described as Jay’s godson, was charged with firing the gun, while Washington was also involved in the plan. The two men allegedly plotted the killing in revenge for being cut out of a drug deal by Jay, who had reportedly turned to the drug trade as the popularity of his group, Run-DMC, faded in the late ’90s. Jay Bryant, the third member of the alleged conspiracy, will be tried separately in 2026.

The only two witnesses to the execution-style shooting were Jay’s assistant assistant Uriel “Tony” Rincon and Lydia High, an employee of Jay’s JMJ Records label. Both had been intimidated by Jordan, refusing to testify for decades. Jordan and Washington both could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

At the time of his death, Jam Master Jay was just 37 years old. He was survived by three children: two boys and a daughter. Both boys followed him into the DJ business.

Run-DMC Is Retiring From Music With Filmed Final Show For A Potential Netflix Documentary

by
Run DMC Jazz In The Gardens 2015
Getty Image

Move over, Elton John. Apparently, you’re not the only legacy act looking to bow out of the music industry with a farewell performance documentary. Pioneer hip-hop group Run-DMC is also looking to hang up their famous Adidas Superstars. The news comes just months after the 20th anniversary of the group’s late DJ, Master Jay’s tragic murder.

In a recent interview with Rock The Bells, emcees Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons spoke about the discussion to retire the group and the next steps.

McDaniels told the outlet, “People got understand this — is Dave Grohl still running around trying to be Nirvana? Is Sting still running around trying to be The Police? Are Paul and Ringo running around trying to be The Beatles? There’s enough life left for both of us. We can’t be Runcan’tC. without Jay.”

Although the group has successfully managed their appearances, performances, and collaborative opportunities as a duo, its core was certainly their DJ, Jam Master Jay. But the pair plans on putting down their Kangos with a larger-than-life final show.

McDaniels spoke out the plans stating, “The final show that we are ever going to do is going to be at Madison Square Garden in April. It’s going to be the last episode of the documentary we’re doing. ‘Cause it’s time for Run to go be Paul McCartney and me to be John Lennon. We done did what we could do. The show is going to be like ‘The Last Waltz’ by The Band.”

Fans can expect a long list of guest appearances, including Ice-T and Wu-Tang. According to the group, those who aren’t able to attend the show live the group will be filming the show with the intention of selling the rights to “Netflix or to the highest bidder.”

The official concert date has not yet been released.