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Man Pleads Guilty To Involvement In 2002 Murder Of Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay

Mary Varvaris

Jay Bryant pleaded guilty to a federal murder charge, explaining that he helped people enter the recording studio to ambush Jam Master Jay in 2002.

Jam Master Jay (left) with Run-DMC
Jam Master Jay (left) with Run-DMC(Credit: Dave Hogan)

24 years after Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay – born Jason Mizell – was murdered, a man has pleaded guilty to his involvement in the killing.

The Associated Press reports that on Monday (27 April), a man named Jay Bryant appeared in court and pleaded guilty to a federal murder charge, explaining that he helped people enter the recording studio to ambush the rap star.

“I knew a gun was going to be used to shoot Jason Mizell,” Bryant told a Federal Magistrate. “I knew that what I was doing was wrong and a crime.”

While in court, Bryant said he was “connected” to people who were allegedly involved in a cocaine deal with Jam Master Jay, adding that he “helped them kill Jason Mizell by helping them gain entry to the recording studio.”

Prosecutors explained that Bryant’s DNA was found on a hat that was inside the recording studio where Mizell was murdered in 2002, BBC reports. Upon his indictment in 2023, Bryant pleaded not guilty.

Bryant faces between 15 and 20 years of prison time over his involvement in the murder, as well as unrelated drug and gun charges.

Bryant didn’t name associates in the 2002 killing of Mizell. However, in 2024, a jury convicted two other men for their involvement in the murder: Mizell’s godson, Karl Jordan Jr. and his good friend, Ronald Washington. Since then, a judge overturned Jordan’s conviction.

Mizell co-founded Run-DMC alongside his bandmates, Joseph Simmons – better known as Rev. Run – and Darryl McDaniels, also known by his stage name, D.M.C., in 1983. The group disbanded following Mizell’s passing.

Known for hits such as It’s Tricky, It’s Like That, My Adidas, and their infamous collaboration with Aerosmith, a hip-hop-inspired version of Walk This Way, Run-DMC pioneered the relationship between hip-hop and rock music, as well as DJ and MC relationships.

Run-DMC was the first hip-hop act to have music videos broadcast on MTV, appear on American Bandstand, be cover artists on Rolling Stone, perform at Live Aid, and receive a Grammy Award nomination.

In 2009, they became the second hip-hop group to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, following Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five in 2007.