November 1, 2002

"IN QUEENS, OF QUEENS, AND FOR QUEENS":

Rap World Baffled by Killing of Star With Peaceful Image (ALAN FEUER, November 1, 2002, NY Times)
As investigators tried to solve the killing, the rap world, long plagued by the violent deaths of some of its stars, struggled with its own puzzle: Who would want to kill Jam Master Jay, a peaceable, old-school D.J., whose group rapped about sneakers, girls and basketball, not money, guns and drugs?

Like the other two members of Run-DMC, Jam Master Jay earned admiration and respect by staying in his neighborhood and remaining true to it. That he should meet the same bloody end that befell gangsta rappers like Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. was, to his fans, both heartbreaking and unfathomable.

"He wasn't the thug type," said Daryl Jenkins, 24, a record store clerk and a fan. "That's why it's sad. He had nothing to do with that whole gangsta thing."


Posted by Orrin Judd at November 1, 2002 9:33 AM
Comments

It's such a shame for that very reason; here was a man of prodigious talent in his field, who set a standard for DJ'ing that has not been surpassed, and who devoted his talents to giving back to his community and HE is the one gunned down. I've listened to and admired RUN-DMC since 1984 and I have to say I'm upset with the reflexive "violent hip-hop comes home to roost " spin many with which some conservative media (Bill O'Reilly, I'm looking at you) have been covering this tragedy. Jay, Run, and DMc, have always been a nonviolent positive influence and I'm glad to see some of my fellow conservatives understand and appreciate that.

Posted by: cornet of horse at November 1, 2002 10:34 AM

I too suggested yesterday that it is a case of the chickens coming home to roost, but others convoinced me that Run-DMC were different. I still think it's the culture that helped get him killed but freely acknowledge that he may have resisted that very culture, to his undying credit.

Posted by: oj at November 1, 2002 11:27 AM

R.I.P JMJ, why you? Why not that worthless piece of shit puff daddy?

Posted by: amoskeeto at November 1, 2002 8:37 PM
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