Jam Master Jay's Legacy: J.A.M.
There is no rhyme or reason to why any student, regardless of socio-economic status, shouldn't be able to receive an outstanding education in the arts.
The late Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC would strongly agree with that sentiment and The Jam Master Jay Foundation For Music has put the wheels in motion for the cause.
"We believe that every child should have access to the arts ... through the arts the kids can be creative and through creativity they can be productive and have communication," said Darryl McDaniels, the DMC in Run-DMC.
In an effort to raise funds for children in need and to pay tribute to Jam Master Jay's life and his legacy to promote justice, arts and music, the J.A.M. (Justice, Arts and Music) awards and live show were held at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York on Nov. 29.
The hip-hop artists who revisited the days of "old school" ranged from the infamous Snoop Dogg, DMC, and Mobb Deep to Raekwon, De La Soul, Jim Jones, Papoose, M.O.P., Everlast Feat, DJ Muggs, Q-Tip, Dead Prez, Kid Capri, Marley Marl, DJ Kayslay, LL Cool J and the Wu-Tang Clan.
The J.A.M. Awards are the first awards to recognize social responsibility in the hip-hop community, which is too often surrounded by gangs and violence.
Photos: The J.A.M. Awards In New York
Sadly, Jam Master Jay was shot and killed inside a recording studio on Merrick Boulevard in Queens, N.Y., on Oct. 30, 2002. After a five-year investigation, the case has yet to be solved.
Jam Master Jay, also known as Jason Mizell, who was 37 when he died, is survived by his wife, three sons, mother, brother and sister.
Other than mastering the turntables for Run-DMC, Jam Master Jay founded the Scratch DJ Academy for children in Manhattan and in 1989 he established Jam Master Jay Records.
"I have no doubt Jay is watching over us and knowing my husband, he is having a blast," said Jam Master Jay's wife, Terri Corley-Mizell, founder and co-host of the event.
The foundation directors include Corley-Mizell, DMC, Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen, Eric Blamoville, Jesse Itzler, Stephen Nitkin, Rob Principe, Constance Schwartz, Cathy Symeonidas, Ivan Taback and David Weisswasser
Every year, one honoree is selected from the fields of social justice, arts and music, based on the positive impact they have made as well as their past efforts in helping others.
Chuck D of Public Enemy was given the Justice award, graffiti artist Lee Quinones, received the Arts Award and Wyclef Jean received the Music Award. Quinones was the only one present to accept his award along with his son.
In addition, foundation board member Ivan Taback was presented with an honorary J.A.M. Award for his behind-the-scenes work with the foundation and event.
The stage filled up with old school beats and clever rhymes as the audience sang along. Amongst the Adidas apparel, the gold chains and bling, there was a graffiti-covered boom box taking the crowd back to the good old days when Hip hop was first created.
There was a positive vibe in the air from the outset as De la Soul kicked off the night with an upbeat performance.
DJ's Kid Capri and DJ Scratch spun classic hip-hop beats on turntables as video screens lit up the sides of the stage with images of Jam Master Jay and Run- DMC as a whole.
Prodigy from Mobb Deep took the stage with an entourage of 20 or so who donned "FREE P" T-shirts and sweatshirts. The "FREE P" refers to the three year jail sentence Prodigy received for gun possession, which he will begin serving in January.
Everlast sang "Jump Around" and a Johnny Cash cover tune, "Folsom Prison Blues."
Snoop Dogg stole the show by performing his hits, "Gin and Juice" "187" and "Drop It Like It's Hot."
"Jam Master Jay and I used to drink gin and juice," said Snoop Dogg during his performance.
Besides the fame and the hype from the performances, as well as the reminiscing of the good old days, the underlining message was that the arts can contribute to greater things and improve lives.
"I just want to remind you about something - that hip hop didn't just make rappers, it made journalists, doctors, lawyers, designers, teachers and producers." McDaniels said. "It is a celebration of the legacy of Jam Master Jay. This is what Jay represented. He was the personification of all of those things. People say that Run-DMC changed the world of music … they didn't just change the music, they changed the world."
By Melissa Castellanos