Jam Master Jay's Cousin Working On Film About DJ's Life, Murder

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Site Last Updated: 10:18 PM EDT, July 19, 2008	Make BallerStatus Your Homepage

Published: Monday - March 10, 2008
Words by Ronnie Gamble

Jam Master Jay (Photo: Burning Flags Press)

It's been over five years since the shooting death of Run DMC founder and DJ, Jay Master Jay, and like the murders of the late Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur, his murder remains unsolved.

Coming this summer, though, is a film that will take a deeper look into the premature death of the hip-hop legend, as well as celebrate his life in hip-hop. It's called "Two Turntables & A Microphone" and it's being produced and directed by the slain DJ's cousin Phonz.

We ran into Phonz in late February, while he was in Los Angeles, where he gave us a few details about the film.

"It's Jam Master Jay's life story man, telling what happened to him," Phonz told BallerStatus.com. "I was born and raised with Jam Master Jay and Run DMC, traveled around the world with him and now we doing this movie. I created the movie to be like a tribute, man, just to tell who Jam Master Jay was."

Phonz revealed that "Two Turntables & A Microphone" would not only delve into the DJ's unsolved murder, but would also act as a documentary, educating people about his life, and his history in hip-hop.

"We celebrating his life. We celebrate what Jay has done for hip-hop and this industry, as well as dive into his murder," he said. "We really get into what happened to Jam Master Jay. Six people in the studio, one person gets killed and nobody knows anything. That's a problem. It's time to address the situation."

Phonz said that, thus far, the film has been widely supported by the hip-hop industry. In the filming process, he's been able to garner interviews and appearances by the likes of Russell Simmons, 50 Cent, Kid Rock, Run DMC, LL Cool and Rick Ruben, among others. He was pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming support he's received once he started working on the project.

"You name it... everybody's in this movie. The whole industry supported us. It's a blessing," Phonz said.

"Jay was the industry. Jay was the hip and the hop. These are all just his personal friends," he explained of the appearances he was able to gather. "He helped start 50 Cent's career. Russell lived down the block, Run and D lived down the block, and LL lived down the block. This is just his people... Rick Ruben, Aero Smith."

While he wasn't able to give any definite date of release, he mentioned June... or the summer as possibilities of when it will be available.

Jam Master Jay (real name: Jason Mizell) was gunned down on October 30, 2002 at a recording studio in Queens, New York. Despite a room full of witnesses, his killing remains a mystery.

In April 2007, federal prosecutors named Ronald "Tenad" Washington as an accessory in the murder. Washington also is a suspect in the fatal shooting of Randy "Stretch" Walker -- an associate of Tupac -- in 1995.

While charged were expected to be handed down, as of late last year, Washington had yet to be charged.

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COMMENTS (4)

BP Says:
Monday - March 10, 2008 at 2:48pm

It is just like black folk to take something positive that someone else has done and turn it into something ugly. If we spent more time congratulating our people's accomplishments, there would be more Russell's more Oprah's, more Tyra's, more Tyler Perry's, more Terry McMillan's, more Diddy's, more Maya Angelous, more S. Carter's, more Cornel Wests- and actually from your comment, you should probably get started on reading some of his books. Do you know who he is??? I know one thing, you do not know the power you possess inside of you, because if you did "Who is he" would not have been your question, "How can I learn more about this person who overcame many obstacles and challenges", would have been your question. I did not know who Coach Carter was; but I do now. Everybody has a story and a purpose, do u know what your's is????

Bestfriend Says:
Monday - March 10, 2008 at 2:26pm

Hey SEO, I have an answer for your question. Phonz, is a truly loving individual who had a beautiful idea. He has remained committed to, whole heartedly and unconditionally to see this project be completed. Phonz has sacrificed so much to ensure that JMJ's fans, friends and family remember who and what he was and the significant impact he had in this world. Oh, and my question to you is,have you ever lost your best friend? Are you related to anyone famous? Was your older cousin murdered, and the case is still unsolved? You may not know who he is, but Russell takes his phone calls, and 50 shows him nothing but love, there is nothing Run wouldn't do for him, The Game- All u have to do is watch the Dreams video, or read a book "Qeens, R, S." better yet go to MTV archives lots of write ups; Oh, even better....GOOGLE HIM! but it won't be under Phonz.

G-Wagon Says:
Monday - March 10, 2008 at 11:51am

This is hot... and SEO, it says its JAY's COUSIN... CAN You READ DUMBASS?

seo Says:
Monday - March 10, 2008 at 11:35am

oh gorsh so he start working the film , (but who is he :P) lolzzz