I don't really hang out around Jamaica Avenue and Merrick Boulevard much
these days. Most of my missions take me to the subway and the Long Island
Rail Road. That one area used to be a mainstay for me during high school. It
was the main connection point for me to get home from Fresh Meadows, which
seemed a whole world away back then. The bus terminal, with the newsstand,
the pizzeria with the SNK arcade cabinet and the grocery store framing the
entrance to the Coliseum mall on 165th Street was in some ways like the
like the zocalos I would see in the Yucatan years later. One thing always stood
out though; the back of the Tabernacle of Prayer Church directly on the avenue.
Faded reddish brick walls stood imposing off to the far end of the terminal. It
always was a source of curiosity for me. And now, on the off chances I do get
to pass by it, it represents a bit of sadness.

That building is where Jason Mizell, better known as Jam Master Jay of the
legendary hip-hop group RUN-DMC, lost his life to a gunman nine years ago.
Nine years. It means that one whole generation has been born, and don't know
hip-hop without a man who helped bring it further into mainstream music. Run
used to say, "We'll never have a band. That's our band." as he pointed at Jay.
And yet, Jay's talent and style made it possible for us to even think of bands
being part of hip-hop, being expressed in the skills of the DJ. I still remember
that day clearly. I remember getting home from Manhattan and hearing the
news. The 'hood seemed to go still for the rest of that night. I still recall the
news reports showing people placing candles out on 205th Street in Hollis. And
today, it's now known as RUN DMC JMJ Way.


There's reason to be a little bit saddened on this day. You've got DJ's who proclaim
themselves to be with no history, and less talent. An associate of mine once told me
that he asked a group of 14 year olds who Jam Master Jay and other icons were.
And not one of them knew. And a couple of them rocked Adidas shell toes. Every
MC and DJ doing it right now should set aside a moment to thank this man if they
haven't done so. But there's also a great deal to be happy about on this day. Look
at The Scratch Academy that he founded. It's led to Red Bull starting their own
music academies and workshops. His style of black fedoras, tracksuits and crisp
Adidas shell toes which were the calling card of RUN DMC is regarded worldwide
as b-boy elegance. I see the murals here and there. His memory still lives. And
his legacy won't fade.

So for today, play RUN DMC's "Peter Piper" just a little bit louder. Rest in power,
Jam Master Jay. Queens and the world, thanks you.