Jam Master Jay was one of the most influential figures in hip-hop history. One-third of the rap group Run-DMC, he was known for his talent on the turntables, turning cutting and scratching into an art form that could not be matched.
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But the world was stunned in 2002 when the news broke that he was shot and killed inside his Queens, New York recording studio. The case went unsolved until 2024, when two men were convicted of his murder. This week, in another shocking twist in the case, the conviction of one of the men, the DJ’s godson, Karl Jordan Jr., was overturned, as the judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence of a motive.
We’re breaking down the details behind one of the most infamous cold cases in hip-hop history.
Musical Beginnings
Born January 21, 1965, Jason Mizell was a musician from a young age. He grew up playing bass, drums and guitar long before he became a DJ.
The Makings of a DJ
Mizell’s family eventually moved to the Hollis section of Queens. There, he discovered DJing at age 13 and began using his skill to entertain crowds at parks and parties around his neighborhood.
Joining Run-DMC
In 1982, he joined Joseph “Run” Simmons and Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels as a DJ for their groundbreaking hip-hop group Run-DMC. The group, known for hits like “It’s Like That” and “Peter Piper,” were hip-hop pioneers who made history when their self-titled debut album became the first rap album to reach gold status.
The Look
Along with their hit records, Run-DMC was known for their style, rocking Kangol hats, shell toe Adidas sneakers (with no laces, of course) and fat gold chains on the regular.
A Shocking Murder
In 2002, the world was stunned when the news broke that Jam Master Jay had been shot to death at his Queens, New York recording studio while working on new music.
A Cold Case
According to ABC 7 New York, there was no evidence or video footage at the crime scene, making the investigator’s work in finding the killer even harder. The case went unsolved for more than 20 years.
Conviction
After a month-long trial, a federal jury in Brooklyn found Jay’s godson, Karl Jordan Jr., and his longtime friend, Ronald Washington, guilty of his murder in February 2024. The prosecution argued that the murder was in retaliation for a drug deal gone wrong.
A Shocking Update
On Dec. 19, United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall, who presided over the trial, overturned the conviction of Karl Jordan Jr. for Jam Master Jay’s 2002 murder. The judge said the prosecution did not provide enough evidence of a motive for Jordan to commit the crime. Ronald Washington’s bid for an acquittal, however, was denied.
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