When Jam Master Jay was killed in 2002, many knew that an iconic DJ had died.  Many knew that he was part of revolutionary rap group RUN DMC; some might’ve even known Jay was short for Jason.  What Two Turntables and A Microphone offers is a unique look of hip-hop history through Jason Mizell’s work, showing that he wasn’t just DMC’s third member, but the driving force behind the group in many ways.  This film is mad respectful and is probably the only RUN DMC documentary told through the narrative of Jay’s life.

The film, which has a ton of interviews—Bill Adler, Ice-T, Russell Simmons, Snoop, Rev Run, Kid Rock, LL Cool Jay, and 50 Cent—also includes accounts by neighborhood friends who offer intimate, albeit sometimes, trivial information.  It depicts the Hollis neighborhood, its struggles, its landscape, and its residents through firsthand accounts, rare photos, and old footage.  In this context, we learn that the whole “B-Boy” style—the unlaced Adidas, Cazals, and even the poses—were all spearheaded by Jay.  He was the fashion guy in the group in addition to organizing their music, routines, and cutting all their records.

It also shows you the cross-generational influence Jay had on hip-hop.  Besides RUN DMC (and a host of MCs and DJ crews) Jay also jumpstarted the career of current megastar, 50 Cent.  He influenced countless DJs, many of whom built their careers around his approach and style.  By seeing Hollis and talking to its people, you learn that its a small neighborhood—and it is here where you really see the impact that Jay had on it.  He was beloved for all the right reasons.

The film also underscores the frustrating circumstances behind Jay’s (still unsolved) death.  It does a good job of examining it without dwelling on rage or conspiracy theories.  The facts are totally upsetting once you see how small, visible, and well-known the crime scene is.  Yet no one knows anything, making all the silence indeed conspicuous, especially since Jay epitomized local celebrity status in Queens.

In the end, the film becomes what any film about Jay should be—a celebration of his enormous contribution to hip-hop and American culture as a whole.  He’ll forever be an inlfuential benchmark and the film gets it right. The production is clean and the interviews are candid and sometimes funny.  To quote RUN DMC’s “Jam Master’s Jammin’” off the King of Rock album: “He’s well conducted/ self-instructed / his style’s worthwhile/ heavenly constructed!” RIP, JMJ.

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