The other night while looking through the loads of graduate school applications I was instant-messaged by a friend in New York. Her first message says, “Have you heard about what happened to Jam Master Jay?” Confused, I responded “no.” She continued to tell me how one of the pioneers of hip-hop was gunned down a few hours before at a Queen recording studio.

I was totally shocked and hurt by the situation. The death of Jam Master Jay took my mind on many twists and turns through the past, present and future of my life.

Someone would probably ask me what is so big about Run DMC that spurred most of these memories and reflections. Well, let’s take a trip down memory lane.

I remember the days sitting back as a young kid listening to Run DMC do their thing. I had been moving back and forth between St. Louis and Chicago because my parents were getting a divorce. Though it may seem corny, hip hop helped me escape all of the things that was going on around me, in particular Run DMC.

I recall when I first saw the videos for “Rock this Way,” “Rock Box” and “Run’s House.” I remember thinking I was DJ Run and no one could tell me differently.

The time of Run DMC correlated with much of my early childhood. I remember seeing “Crush Groove” for the first time with my cousin Nikki. I swore I was going be as cool as Run DMC. It reminds me of the time when mom wouldn’t let me see Run DMC’s movie “Tougher than Leather” because it was rated R.

Run DMC were the first artists to make me enthralled with the culture of hip hop. Jam Master Jay was the only DJ I knew of growing up. When I was embedded in the Catholic school system in the first and second grades everyone around me wanted to be George Michael, Prince, Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Run DMC, Tom Cruise, He-Man or emulate one of the characters in the “Brat Pack.” I remember my friends and I would try to re-enact the new Run DMC videos we saw on “Friday Night Videos” at recess if we were not playing kickball.

After sitting there thinking more about the situation I began to see it as more than an incident in the hip hop culture, but a message to the public as a whole. Who would have ever thought anyone would want to kill Jam Master Jay? It wasn’t like he was a “gangsta” rapper (and I use the term loosely) like 2Pac or Biggie, who were slain several years ago.

Jam Master Jay and Run DMC proclaimed to only be the “best in the biz and rockin’ sneakers with no laces.” He wasn’t a threatening individual like some other rappers were. He was a great DJ for one of the best groups of all time. Jam Master Jay was pioneer in a culture that has engulfed the world.

This whole incident reminded me to look at my life and others around me. It made me realize how many things we take for granted like life, memories and happiness. We need to cherish every waking moment with the people we love and care for. Your girlfriend, boyfriend, best friend, colleague, sister, brother, mother and father aren’t promised for tomorrow. The death of Jam Master Jay is a reminder about respecting life and cherishing it, like Sept. 11.

I began to question if I am happy with myself right now. If I were to die today, would I be satisfied with who I have become? Have I given 110% in anything I have done?

I know some may not have the same feelings toward Run DMC that I did. But it can be any role model you had as a child that makes you think about the past, present, and future of your life. It can be any icon that reminds you to cherish life, like Jam Master Jay did for me.

Darryl Frierson

is a senior in journalism

and mass communication from St. Louis, Mo.