A glut of hip-hop heavyweights will pay tribute to the late Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell) tonight at Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. Q-Tip (A Tribe Called Quest), Raekwon (Wu-Tang Clan), Everlast (House of Pain), DJ Muggs (Cypress Hill), De La Soul, Snoop Dogg, Dead Prez, and former bandmate DMC will perform at the inaugural J.A.M. Awards.
The J.A.M. (Justice, Arts, and Music) Awards will honor the influential Run DMC DJ while raising money, in part, for the Jam Master Jay Foundation for Music, which provides funding and resources for free music education programs in public schools.
The event will be hosted by Jay’s wife, Terri Corley-Mizzel, who started the foundation in her husband’s honor, and DMC.
Other honorees of the night include artists that actively promote justice, arts, and music in community. This year, these artists include Spike Lee, Chuck D, Dr. Cornell West, Kanye West, and Wyclef Jean.
Socially conscious rap group Dead Prez, known to advocate their beliefs in Black pride, political theory, and community involvement, will be at the event to contribute buzzing bass lines and revolutionary lyrics.
This night of celebration, remembrance, and collaboration will take place at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan at 8 pm. Tickets are still available and can be purchased through the JMJ Foundation for Music website.
J.A.M. Awards
Thursday, November 29, 8 pm
Hammerstein Ballroom
311 W 34th St.
New York, NY 10001
JMJ Foundation for Music: www.jammasterjay.org
Photo credit: Glen E. Friedman (Burning Flags Press)