Run-DMC made Jay rich beyond his wildest dreams. It was the first hip-hop group to be featured regularly on MTV, the only one to play Live Aid and the group’s debut was the first hip-hop album to go gold. They played London, Tokyo, Sydney and Paris, earning as much as $150,000 a show. They scored a $1.5 million endorsement in 1986 with Adidas.
But by the time of his 2002 death, Jay hadn’t had a hit record in 10 years. By then, he’d developed a habit for extravagance. “He wore mink when the rest of Run-DMC wore leather,” Playboy reported. “He had the most jewelry. He had the flashiest cars. Jay didn’t drive one automobile but several … He also purchased showy rides for his sister, brother, mother, wife and at least two close friends. As his fame grew, so did his entourage.”
Chuck D of Public Enemy described Jay’s generosity. He paid rents. He gave gifts. He taught chess to young kids in the park. He was a local hero — a kid from the rough neighborhood of Hollis who raised himself up and tried to bring others with him. “Jay was always trying to get his friends who strayed back on the right path,” his friend Hurricane told Playboy.
