Run DMC’s Reverend Run yesterday told reporters that, following the murder of Jam Master Jay last week, the seminal rap group would be no more. "The thing that I recognize is that we were just on tour with Aerosmith and Kid Rock and we can't perform anymore," Run said, with band mate DMC nodding in agreement. "Nobody wants to see Run and DMC without Jay. Jay was definitely one third of the group. People might see us on television and be wondering if Jay was a significant part of the group. Yes, he was. We're not able to go back out in December with Kid Rock and Aerosmith. We had an endorsement deal with Dr. Pepper, we can't make those commercials now. Run-DMC is officially retired. I can't get out onstage with a new DJ. Some rock bands can replace the drummer, but I don't know any other way but to perform with the three original members. We're retired, does anybody have a job out there?"
Meanwhile the hip hop aristocracy - including Run-DMC, Russell Simmons, P. Diddy, Chuck D, Doug E. Fresh, Foxy Brown, Juelez Santana, Andre Harrell, Spinderella, Busta Rhymes and BET's Big Tigga – all lined up to say they were unified in a mission to not only aid Jam Master Jay's family, but to help bring his killers to justice and promote peace. "As you know, the funeral was yesterday and we didn't want to wait one day to deal forthrightly with making sure that the family of Jam Master Jay does not have any debt," Minister Benjamin Chavis said, speaking for Jay’s supporters. "We're standing together in unity, taking our responsibility and we're also here today to announce our plans to launch a street campaign to keep the legacy of Jam Master Jay positive."
LL Cool J, Dr Dre, Eminem, Interscope Records, Murder Inc Records, BET, The Source, XXL, Redman, Method Man, Busta Rhymes, Kid Rock and Aerosmith are all said to have already made contributions to the cause. $250,000 will be used to pay off the mortgage on Jay’s family’s home, a further $50,000 will be set aside as a college fund for Jay’s three children, and another $50,000 has been put forward as an award for information that leads to the arrest of Jay’s killer.
Chuck D called on rappers to be more responsible, not only with their music but in reaching out and speaking to the public. "I don't live in penthouses, suites, $300 hotel rooms," he said. "I'm in the communities from here to across the Pacific and see people that only listen to and watch rappers. It's no reason for us to not be men and women. Yes, we do control the climate. Understand we have the ears of the people, we have to be men and women. I don't want to ruin the atmosphere, but Run, Jay and DMC made it possible for everybody."