Jam Master Jay Laid to Rest

Family, friends and members of the hip-hop community paid their final respects to Jam Master Jay (born Jason Mizell) this morning at the Greater Allen Cathedral of New York in Jamaica, Queens. Mizell, thirty-seven, was shot and killed at his nearby recording studio on October 30th. Police have not yet charged anyone with his murder.

Joining Mizell's wife and three children at the funeral were his Run-D.M.C. mates Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, producer/label head/activist Russell Simmons, and fellow artists including Queen Latifah, Kurtis Blow, MC Serch and Professor Griff.

On the altar lay a red and yellow flower arrangement with the accompanying inscription, "Love, respect -- LL Cool J, student," a statement that reflected the community's view of Mizell as one of hip-hop's true pioneers.

"This is Jason's biggest hit ever," said Run Simmons, referencing the outpouring of support and favorable media coverage. "This is his last and best DJ gig ever."

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Song Stories

“Help Me”

Joni Mitchell | 1974

Joni Mitchell wrote and recorded this song for her album Court and Spark, but she had to switch from her regular band to make the song sound exactly the way she wanted. "I had attempted to play my music with rock & roll players," she told Rolling Stone. "They’d laugh, 'Awww, isn't that cute? She's trying to teach us how to play.'" Mitchell switched to a jazz band, Tom Scott’s L.A. Express, and scored the biggest hit of her career in the process.

More Song Stories entries »

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