A New York police spokesman has given a description of one of the men they are hunting in connection with the murder of Jam Master Jay. They told reporters they are looking for a 180-pound black male, 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches in height. He was wearing a black sweat suit and black hat when leaving the scene. Police are encouraging anyone with any information to come forward.
Meanwhile tributes continued to pour in for the DJ as a day of mourning took place in Queens prior to the funeral later today. Chuck D, Busta Rhymes, Def Jam founder Russell Simmons and members of the Beastie Boys joined thousands of fans and Jay’s family to mourn the star. Elsewhere in the world stars continued to tell the media how Jam Master Jay impacted on their lives:
Ice Cube told reporters in LA: "Honestly, I wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for Jam Master Jay. He didn’t do nothing hands-on for my career, but just being an inspiration, being a legend, showing you how to do hip-hop on a big level and being a pioneer of the game. With him, I was a friend and fan. I’m just hurt that somebody knew who he was and they still killed Jam Master Jay. Knowing how much he meant to the world and they still did it. That just shows how far we've dropped and we don’t give a shit about nobody’s life nowadays, not even our heroes".
Aerosmith, whose 1986 collaboration with Run DMC 'Walk This Way' was a benchmark in the history of rap, told reporters: “We were greatly shocked and saddened by the news of the untimely death of Jam Master Jay. When we were down and out in the depths, Jay and Run DMC came along and said "Come play on our record." Run DMC and Jam Master Jay's gift to the world was a new kind of music for a whole new generation, and their gift to us was a piece of ourselves back. Jay was scratching before anyone had the itch and was still at the top of his game when we played with him this summer. We will hear him every night when we play ‘Walk This Way’."
Reports on hip hop site www.davyd.com yesterday suggested rapper Daddy O, who is calling on rappers to drop monikers that hint at ‘gangsta’ affiliations, is planning to release an anti-violence album in memory of Jay. The ‘Self Destruction 2’ compilation, which both Busta Rhymes and Chuck D are rumoured to be involved in, would raise money for various charities and programs against family violence.
Meanwhile police are still denying any obvious links between the murder of Jam Master Jay and the shooting of rap music promoter Keneth Walker – who died in the early hours of Sunday morning. "At this time, we have no reason to believe that the two incidents are connected," Sgt. Elias Nikas told reporters. "I don't believe they're connected to each other." However police has subsequently admitted Walker had promoted 50 Cent, Jay’s young protégé who left New York this weekend after threats to his life.