Jason William Mizell, known by his stage name Jam Master Jay, was an American musician and DJ renowned for his role in the influential hip hop group Run-DMC. During the 1980s, Run-DMC played a pivotal role in bringing hip hop into the mainstream music scene, becoming one of the genre's most significant acts.
January 21, 1965: Birth of Jason William Mizell
Jason William Mizell, better known by his stage name Jam Master Jay, was born on January 21, 1965. He would later become a renowned American musician and DJ, most famous for being the DJ of the influential hip-hop group Run-DMC.
1975: Move to Hollis, Queens
In 1975, at the age of 10, Jason Mizell and his family moved to Hollis, Queens, New York City. This move played a significant role in his discovery of turntablism and his future career as a DJ.
1982: Joining Run-D.M.C.
In 1982, Jason Mizell joined Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels to form Run-D.M.C. He agreed to DJ for them, marking the beginning of a significant career milestone.
December 26, 1987: Car Accident Survival
In the early morning hours of December 26, 1987, Jam Master Jay survived a car accident in the West Village of Manhattan. This incident is one of the challenges he faced in his life.
1989: Establishment of Jam Master Jay Records
In 1989, Jason Mizell established Jam Master Jay Records. The label became known for signing notable artists like 50 Cent and Onyx. The label folded after Mizell's murder in 2002.
August 1992: Birth of Tyra Myricks
In August 1992, Jam Master Jay's daughter, Tyra Myricks, was born. This event marked an important moment in his personal life.
1996: Alleged Involvement in Drug Dealing
In 1996, prosecutors alleged that Jam Master Jay got involved in dealing high-kilo cocaine. This controversial revelation came despite his known anti-drug stance and messages.
July 31, 2002: Alleged Drug Deal
On July 31, 2002, Jam Master Jay reportedly traveled to Washington, D.C., to obtain 10 kilograms of cocaine. This alleged drug deal later became a focal point in theories about his murder.
October 30, 2002: Jam Master Jay's Death
Jam Master Jay, born Jason William Mizell, was tragically murdered on October 30, 2002, in his Queens, New York recording studio. His death marked a significant loss to the music industry.
2002: Founding of Scratch DJ Academy
In 2002, the Scratch DJ Academy was founded in Manhattan to provide education and access to the art form of DJing and production. This initiative is part of Jam Master Jay's lasting legacy.
August 2003: Karl Jordan Jr. Charged with Attempted Murder
In August 2003, Karl Jordan Jr. was charged with attempted murder after shooting Jam Master Jay's nephew, Rodney Jones, in the leg. This incident was connected to the broader investigation into Jam Master Jay's murder.
December 2003: Publication of 'The Last Days of Jam Master Jay'
In December 2003, Playboy magazine published an article titled 'The Last Days of Jam Master Jay' by Frank Owen. The article traced the murder to a drug deal gone bad, adding to the public's understanding of the events leading up to Mizell's death.
2003: Investigation of Kenneth McGriff
In 2003, Kenneth McGriff, a convicted drug dealer, was investigated for allegedly targeting Jam Master Jay for defying an industry blacklist of rapper 50 Cent. This investigation added another layer to the complexities surrounding Mizell's murder.
April 2007: Ronald Washington Named as Accomplice
In April 2007, federal prosecutors named Ronald Washington as an accomplice in the murder of Jam Master Jay. Washington was also a suspect in the 1995 murder of Randy 'Stretch' Walker, adding further complexity to the case.
2018: Release of Netflix Documentary
In 2018, Netflix released a documentary titled 'ReMastered: Who Killed Jam Master Jay?' This documentary analyzed the circumstances of Jam Master Jay's murder, interviewing several of his friends, family members, and acquaintances.
2020: Arrests in Jam Master Jay's Murder Case
In 2020, two perpetrators were arrested for the 2002 murder of Jam Master Jay. This marked a significant development in a case that had remained cold for 18 years.
February 20, 2023: Trial Scheduled for February 2023
In October 2022, the trial for Jam Master Jay's murder was scheduled to begin on February 20, 2023. However, the trial was later rescheduled to November 2023 after a key witness died.
May 30, 2023: Federal Prosecutors Charge Third Suspect
On May 30, 2023, federal prosecutors from the Eastern District of New York charged a third suspect, Jay Bryant, for the murder of Jam Master Jay. Bryant was already in custody on drug-related charges.
October 2023: Separate Trial for Jay Bryant
In October 2023, it was decided that Jay Bryant would have a separate trial from the other two accused murderers, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. The trial is scheduled to start in January 2026.
2023: Arrest of Third Suspect in Jam Master Jay's Murder
In 2023, a third suspect was arrested in connection with the 2002 murder of Jam Master Jay and is awaiting trial. This marked another step towards justice in the case.
January 22, 2024: Jury Selection for Trial
Jury selection for the trial of Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. began on January 22, 2024. This was a significant step in the legal proceedings related to Jam Master Jay's murder.
January 29, 2024: Trial Begins
The trial of Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. for the murder of Jam Master Jay began on January 29, 2024. Both entered not guilty pleas, and the jury heard opening statements.
February 27, 2024: Conviction of Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr.
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. This marked the culmination of a long-running legal battle.
2024: Conviction of Jam Master Jay's Murderers
In 2024, both perpetrators arrested for the murder of Jam Master Jay were found guilty and face between 20 years to life in prison. This brought some closure to a long-standing case.
January 2026: Scheduled Start of Jay Bryant's Trial
Jay Bryant's trial for the murder of Jam Master Jay is scheduled to begin in January 2026, separate from the trials of Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr.