October 30, 2002
is a day that will live in infamy. That is the day Hip-Hop lost a giant, Jam
Master Jay, due to a gunshot wound to the head in his Jamaica, Queens studio,
blocks away from a police precinct.
Jay’s death
is symbolic to us. The anger that arose in America after those terrible attacks
on New York City was awakened in those that loved Hip-Hop when that someone
murdered Jam Master Jay.
There were many theories
floated. Drug deals, watch deals, rap feuds, neighborhood beefs, all of which
confused the public and most likely, the police.
Jam Master Jay’s death
is the same as Tupac and Biggie’s. We won’t ever stop until we get
closure as to who is gunning down Hip-Hop’s heroes.
DMC needs no introduction.
We contacted Reverend Run for a statement, but he politely declined to comment.
We caught DMC in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin on the political trail today (October 30) with the Democratic National
Committee.
They tapped “The King
of Rock” to help get young people to the polls and vote for their Presidential
candidate, John Kerry.
Here we talk with DMC about
Jam Master Jay’s life and death and what he’s doing politically.
AllHipHop.com: What were
you doing when you first found out Jay was killed?
DMC: I was lying in my bed
watching the news. I saw it, but then I was like this can’t be true. There
had been a rumor in 1986 that Jam Master Jay was shot. It wasn’t true,
it was right around the world tour for Raising Hell. So when I heard it, I was
like ‘oh it’s another rumor.’ Maybe it was somebody that got
shot in Jay’s studio, but I didn’t think it was Jay.
AllHipHop.com: When you
did find out that it was Jay, how did you react?
DMC: I still didn’t
believe it. I live in New Jersey, so I jumped in my car and ran out to Queens.
When I got there it was like ‘oh s**t.’ The craziest thing was I
couldn’t get in touch with anyone. Even when I believed it, I didn’t
believe it. (Click
AllHipHop.com: What are your earliest memories of meeting Jay?
DMC: When I first met Jay,
it was in the park. He was playing basketball. We played a game of basketball
and then later that night, he brought the turntables and started DJ’ing.
I was like ‘oh wow, this guy does it all!’ He balls, he DJ’s,
he’s well rounded.
AllHipHop.com: And how old
were you when this took place?
DMC: I think I was, like
15 years old. Jay was the big DJ in the neighborhood; I think he was like 14
years old. I’m a year older than Jay.
AllHipHop.com: Shortly after,
you guys started working together in Run-DMC?
DMC: Well me and Run went
to the studio and made a record, “It’s Like That” and “Sucker
M.C.’s.” And then we needed a DJ. We said “yo, we could use
Jay as a DJ.” And not only was he a DJ, but he was rolling with the Hollis
Crew. They could be like our security so no one would rob us when we started
making money. So it was actually like security and he was a DJ.
AllHipHop.com: What effect
did losing Jay have on Run-DMC?
DMC: Jay was the flavor
of the group. It was how we represented. Jay gave us that real street element.
We represented for Hollis because of Jay and, because of Jay we put Hollis on
the map.
AllHipHop.com: What effect
do you think Jay had on Hip-Hop?
DMC: Jay made people realize
the DJ wasn’t just about playing records. He was a part of the group.
It’s a damn shame they don’t let people know there would be no Hip-Hop
without the DJ.
AllHipHop.com: You’re
out in Milwaukee with the Democratic National Committee?
DMC: Yeah, DMC is representing
for the DNC. Trying to get people to vote. A lot of people believe that votes
don’t count, but we can make a difference. We just have to get up and
vote.
AllHipHop.com: What do you
think about the events that are taking place before the elections, specifically
the armies of lawyers and the missing votes in Ohio?
DMC: I think politics is
one big lie. That’s why I don’t believe in politics, I believe in
people. And it’s people that will make the difference, not the politicians.
I’m not out here trying to sell records; I am out here trying to show
people they can make a difference.
AllHipHop.com: When did
you realize you wanted to use your celebrity power to make a statement?
DMC: I wish I would have
started doing it earlier. I didn’t know how much power I had. People listen
to us as rappers. Hip-Hop in general will influence everything, right down to
how people walk and talk. We need to think about what’s going on in the
world, to make change in the world, because we can make a difference.
AllHipHop.com: The elections
are coming up. Obviously your going to cast you vote for Kerry. Should Bush
win these elections, what are you predictions for the next four years?
DMC: I predict total chaos.
You think it’s bad now? Please do not let that man get back into office.
You gotta begin with Kerry. I have a new slogan “‘V-O-T-E ‘Vote
out the Enemy!’”