Jam Master Jay | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Jason William Mizell |
Also known as |
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Born | Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. | January 21, 1965
Origin | Queens, New York City, U.S. |
Died | October 30, 2002 Queens, New York City, U.S. | (aged 37)
Cause of death | Murder (gunshot wound) |
Genres | |
Occupations |
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Instruments |
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Years active | 1983–2002 |
Labels | |
Formerly of | Run-D.M.C. |
Website | jasonmizell |
Jason William Mizell (January 21, 1965 – October 30, 2002), better known by his stage name Jam Master Jay, was an American musician and DJ. He was the DJ of the influential hip hop group Run-DMC. During the 1980s, Run-DMC became one of the biggest hip hop groups and are credited with breaking hip hop into mainstream music.[1][2]
Mizell was murdered in his Queens, New York recording studio in a 2002 shooting that remained cold until Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. were indicted in 2020. In 2024, both men were found guilty of murdering Mizell and face between 20 years to life in prison. A third suspect in the murder was arrested in 2023 and is awaiting trial.