Justice was finally served as two men were found guilty on Tuesday of the murder of the iconic D.J. Jason Mizell, better known as Jam Master Jay from the legendary group Run-DMC. This verdict brings closure to a case that had puzzled investigators and left fans of hip-hop mourning for over two decades.

Karl Jordan Jr., 40, who was Mr. Mizell’s godson, was convicted of firing the fatal shot into Mr. Mizell’s head in 2002. Federal prosecutors revealed that Ronald Washington, 59, a close friend of Mr. Mizell, orchestrated the killing with Mr. Jordan out of vengeance after being excluded from a lucrative drug deal.

Mr. Mizell, at the young age of 37, was tragically shot point-blank in his recording studio in Queens, a neighborhood closely associated with the rise of Run-DMC and other prominent hip-hop acts in the 1980s. The trio, consisting of Joseph Simmons (Run), Darryl McDaniels (DMC), and Jam Master Jay, propelled hip-hop into the mainstream during the mid-80s, selling millions of records, collaborating with the rock band Aerosmith, and even securing a deal with Adidas for the group’s distinct uniform.

As the fame of Run-DMC began to fade in 2002, Mr. Mizell, unfortunately, turned to illicit drug activities to provide for his family and entourage. Prosecutors argued that greed and the thirst for revenge led Mr. Washington and Mr. Jordan to commit the heinous act. A third individual, Jay Bryant, was also involved and will face trial separately in 2026.

During the month-long trial, the prosecution called upon 35 witnesses, ranging from drug dealers to close associates of Mr. Mizell, presenting compelling evidence including ballistics and graphic autopsy images. Key eyewitnesses included Lydia High, a member of Mr. Mizell’s record label staff, and Tony Rincon, Mr. Mizell’s assistant.

Mr. Rincon, who bravely identified Mr. Jordan as the gunman, sustained a gunshot wound during the attack. Ms. High, unable to discern the shooter’s face, recounted how Mr. Washington had held her at gunpoint as the tragic event unfolded.

Both Ms. High and Mr. Rincon had previously withheld information out of fear due to intimidation from Mr. Jordan and his associates. It wasn’t until the case was reopened in 2016 that investigators could gather enough evidence to move forward, resulting in charges against Mr. Washington and Mr. Jordan in 2020.

“Time solved this case,” remarked Mark Misorek, a prosecutor.

However, defense attorneys raised doubts about the credibility of the witnesses, questioning the consistency of their testimonies over the span of two decades.

The initial charge against the trio was murder in connection with drug trafficking, with witnesses testifying that Mr. Mizell had been overseeing significant cocaine deals leading up to his untimely demise.

Prosecutors revealed that Mr. Washington and Mr. Mizell had ventured to Baltimore to finalize a cocaine transaction, valued at over $100,000, just before Mr. Mizell’s tragic death.

An altercation during the deal prompted Mr. Washington and Mr. Jordan to plot revenge, ultimately leading to the fatal shooting in Mr. Mizell’s studio on Merrick Boulevard on the fateful evening of Oct. 30, 2002. Mr. Bryant, playing a minor role, facilitated the entry of the perpetrators into the studio.

Mr. Mizell and Mr. Rincon were innocently engrossed in a game when the assailants struck. Ms. High, present for a brief interaction, recounted a moment of betrayal as Mr. Mizell greeted the intruder with a smile before tragedy unfolded.

Her emotional testimony highlighted the chaos and devastation of that moment, encapsulating the profound loss suffered by the music community and fans worldwide.