[Obit] Jam Master Jay
Posted: 2002-11-03 05:17am
In case you hadn't heard, one of the founding members of Run DMC and arguably the finest DJ to grace the face of the earth was killed a few days ago.
Now, some of you might say: "Rap/Hip-Hop/Techno is gay/stupid/moronic..." You are entitled to your opinion. You are also entitled to listen to Garth Brooks, fly a confederate flag, beat your wife, love your donkey and drive a pickup with a gun rack in the rear windscreen. But Jam Master Jay pioneered the art of "beat-mixing" and the like, creating a new sound for a new generation of musicians.
From this new style came many new genres of music and many great artists. It is Jam Master Jay we have to thank for Dr Dre, the Beastie Boys, De La Soul, Prodigy, Gorillaz, Eminem, Coolio, P-Diddy, MC Hammer . . . Vanilla Ice . . . Oh fuck it . . .
Run DMC as a band will not be the same again and rap/hip hop certainly won't either. Who could forget their memorable "cross-over" works with Aerosmith, Prodigy and other great bands? Would these have worked without the turntable skills of Jam Master Jay? Doubtful. The origin of the rebellious music of a generation rests firmly on the shoulders of Jam Master Jay and the rest of Run DMC.
It is without doubt that music has lost a living legend, the great breaks and memorable beats shall flow forth no more...
RIP Jam Master Jay, real name Jason Mizzell.
Now, some of you might say: "Rap/Hip-Hop/Techno is gay/stupid/moronic..." You are entitled to your opinion. You are also entitled to listen to Garth Brooks, fly a confederate flag, beat your wife, love your donkey and drive a pickup with a gun rack in the rear windscreen. But Jam Master Jay pioneered the art of "beat-mixing" and the like, creating a new sound for a new generation of musicians.
From this new style came many new genres of music and many great artists. It is Jam Master Jay we have to thank for Dr Dre, the Beastie Boys, De La Soul, Prodigy, Gorillaz, Eminem, Coolio, P-Diddy, MC Hammer . . . Vanilla Ice . . . Oh fuck it . . .
Run DMC as a band will not be the same again and rap/hip hop certainly won't either. Who could forget their memorable "cross-over" works with Aerosmith, Prodigy and other great bands? Would these have worked without the turntable skills of Jam Master Jay? Doubtful. The origin of the rebellious music of a generation rests firmly on the shoulders of Jam Master Jay and the rest of Run DMC.
It is without doubt that music has lost a living legend, the great breaks and memorable beats shall flow forth no more...
RIP Jam Master Jay, real name Jason Mizzell.