History of Jam Master Jay in Timeline

Jason William Mizell, known as Jam Master Jay, was a pivotal American musician, record producer, and DJ, most famously the DJ for the groundbreaking hip hop group Run-DMC. During the 1980s, Run-DMC achieved mainstream success, significantly impacting the popularization of hip hop. Despite his musical achievements, his life was tragically cut short. He was murdered in his recording studio in 2002.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Challenges & Struggles

January 21, 1965: Jason William Mizell Born

On January 21, 1965, Jason William Mizell, who would later become known as Jam Master Jay, was born. He became a musician, record producer and DJ, most famously as the DJ for Run-DMC.

Others born on this day/year

1975: Family Moves to Hollis, Queens

In 1975, at the age of 10, Jason Mizell and his family moved to Hollis, Queens, New York City. This move influenced his later discovery of turntables and his career as a DJ.

1982: Joins Run-D.M.C.

In 1982, Jason Mizell joined Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels shortly after they graduated from high school, becoming their DJ and forming the influential hip hop group Run-D.M.C.

December 26, 1987: Car Accident in Manhattan

On December 26, 1987, Jam Master Jay survived a car accident in the West Village of Manhattan in the early morning hours.

1987: Run DMC Anti-Drug Messages

In 1987, Jam Master Jay and other Run DMC members were known for promoting anti-drug messages, including appearing in an anti-drug public service announcement and on their song "It's Tricky".

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1989: Establishment of JMJ Records

In 1989, Jason Mizell, known as Jam Master Jay, established JMJ Records. The label became known for signing artists like 50 Cent and Onyx.

August 1992: Birth of Tyra Myricks

In August 1992, Jam Master Jay's daughter, Tyra Myricks, was born. He had three sons and one daughter.

1995: Murder of Randy "Stretch" Walker

In 1995, Randy "Stretch" Walker, a former associate of Tupac Shakur, was murdered. In April 2007, Ronald Washington was named a suspect in this murder, and later, in the Jam Master Jay murder as well.

1996: Allegations of Drug Dealing

In 1996, despite his anti-drug stance with Run DMC, Jam Master Jay was alleged to have become involved in dealing high-kilo cocaine, according to prosecutors in his murder case.

July 31, 2002: Trip to Washington, D.C.

On July 31, 2002, Jason Mizell reportedly traveled to Washington, D.C. to obtain 10 kilograms of cocaine, valued at about a quarter-million dollars, from a trafficker known as "Uncle".

October 30, 2002: Murder of Jam Master Jay

On October 30, 2002, Jason William Mizell, known as Jam Master Jay, was murdered in his Queens recording studio. The case remained unsolved for many years.

2002: Mizell Murdered

In 2002, Jason Mizell, also known as Jam Master Jay, was murdered in his recording studio in Queens, New York.

2002: Scratch DJ Academy Founded

In 2002, the year of his death, the Scratch DJ Academy was founded in Manhattan as part of Jason Mizell's legacy, aiming to provide education and access to the art of DJing and producing.

August 2003: Jordan Charged with Attempted Murder

In August 2003, Karl Jordan Jr. was charged with attempted murder after shooting Jason Mizell's nephew, Rodney Jones, in the leg, indicating early suspicion in the investigation.

December 2003: Playboy Article Published

In December 2003, Playboy magazine published "The Last Days of Jam Master Jay" by Frank Owen, which traced the murder to a drug deal gone bad and revealed Mizell's involvement in cocaine distribution to pay debts.

2003: Investigation of Kenneth McGriff

In 2003, Kenneth McGriff was investigated for possibly targeting Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay). The investigation was based on Mizell's defiance of an industry blacklist of rapper 50 Cent due to the song "Ghetto Qu'ran".

2003: Marcia Clark Investigates

In 2018, Marcia Clark featured Jam Master Jay's murder in an episode of her series Marcia Clark Investigates The First 48 on A&E where she examined several scenarios and suspects for the murder, speaking to individuals involved in the case.

April 2007: Ronald Washington Named Accomplice

In April 2007, federal prosecutors named Ronald Washington as an accomplice in the murder of Jason Mizell, alleging that Washington provided cover for the shooter.

2012: Described by The Guardian

In 2012, The Guardian described Jason Mizell, or Jam Master Jay, as having "created almost every sound that Run and DMC would rap over," highlighting his vital role in developing the sound of Run-DMC and expanding the worldwide audience of hip hop.

2018: Netflix Documentary Released

In 2018, Netflix released "ReMastered: Who Killed Jam Master Jay?", a documentary analyzing the circumstances of Jason Mizell's murder through interviews with friends, family, and acquaintances, but it did not reach a definitive conclusion.

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2020: Indictment of Washington and Jordan Jr.

In 2020, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. were indicted for Jason Mizell's murder, with allegations of a cocaine deal gone wrong, leading to the cutting out of Washington and Jordan from the deal.

November 2021: Prosecutors to Seek Life Imprisonment

In November 2021, federal prosecutors announced they would seek life imprisonment without parole for Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. in the murder case of Jason Mizell.

October 2022: Trial Scheduled for February 2023

In October 2022, the trial for Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., accused of the murder of Jason Mizell, was scheduled to begin on February 20, 2023.

February 2023: Trial Rescheduled to November 2023

In February 2023, the trial was rescheduled to November 2023 after a key witness died in the case against Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. for the murder of Jason Mizell.

February 20, 2023: Original Trial Date

February 20, 2023 was the original scheduled date for the trial of Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. for the murder of Jason Mizell.

May 2023: Jay Bryant Charged

In May 2023, Jay Bryant was also charged in the murder of Jason Mizell, leading to another rescheduling of the trial.

May 30, 2023: Third Suspect Charged

On May 30, 2023, federal prosecutors charged Jay Bryant, a third suspect, for Jason Mizell's murder. Bryant was already in custody for drug-related charges.

October 2023: Separate Trial for Bryant

In October 2023, it was ruled that Jay Bryant would have a separate trial from the other two accused murderers, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., with his trial scheduled to begin in January 2026 for the Jason Mizell case.

November 2023: Rescheduled Trial Date

November 2023 was a rescheduled trial date for Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. for the murder of Jason Mizell, however, the trial was pushed back again.

January 2024: Trial Rescheduled

The trial for Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., accused of the murder of Jason Mizell, was rescheduled to January 2024.

January 22, 2024: Jury Selection Begins

On January 22, 2024, jury selection began for the trial of Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., who were accused of murdering Jason Mizell.

January 29, 2024: Trial Begins

On January 29, 2024, the trial of Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington began, with both entering not guilty pleas and the jury hearing opening statements in the murder case of Jason Mizell.

February 2024: Conviction in Mizell Murder Case

In February 2024, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. were convicted for the 2002 drug-related murder of Jason Mizell. This marked a resolution to the long-unsolved case.

February 27, 2024: Conviction of Washington and Jordan

On February 27, 2024, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. were convicted on charges of murder while engaged in a narcotics trafficking conspiracy and firearm-related murder for the killing of Jason Mizell.

December 19, 2025: Jordan's Conviction Overturned

On December 19, 2025, Karl Jordan's conviction for the murder of Jason Mizell was overturned by U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall, who cited insufficient evidence of a drug-related motive. Hall upheld Washington's conviction, but ordered Jordan to remain in prison due to upcoming drug charges.

January 2026: Scheduled Trial for Bryant

In January 2026, the trial for Jay Bryant, the third suspect in Jason Mizell's murder, was scheduled to begin, separate from the trials of Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr.

April 27, 2026: Bryant Admits Orchestrating Murder

On April 27, 2026, Jay Bryant publicly admitted to orchestrating the murder of Jason Mizell, claiming he "helped them kill" Mizell and claiming to be the shooter, though prosecutors still believed Jordan Jr. was the killer.

2026: Guilty Plea in Mizell Murder Case

In 2026, Jay Bryant pleaded guilty to participating in the 2002 murder of Jason Mizell, adding another layer to the resolution of the long-unsolved case.