Run-DMC called for peace at their London show on Sunday (18.01.15).
The hip hop heavyweights paid tribute to their late bandmate Jason ‘Jam Master Jay’ Mizell – who was murdered in New York in 2002 – while on stage at London’s Scala, by expressing their wish for the end of violence in music and urging crowd members to make peace signs to remember the star.
Joseph ‘Rev Run’ Simmons, 50, told fans: "Several years ago my DJ was killed by violence. We need to stop the violence in hip hop. This is for Jam Master Jay, our former soldier."
Following the emotional speech a scratch tribute to the musician was played, with the 300-strong crowd at the intimate gig chanting "JMJ, RIP."
Hosted by BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Charlie Sloth, the show – which took place to celebrate Vodafone’s 30th anniversary of the first UK mobile phone call – was the group’s first in the UK for over a decade, with Joseph and bandmate Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels performing a flurry of their well-know hits including ‘It’s Tricky’, ‘King of Rock’ and ‘It’s Like That’.
The one-off show – at which they were supported by upcoming musician and ‘Game of Thrones’ actor Raleigh Ritchie – ended with the group’s most famous single, ‘Walk This Way’, with Joseph dropping his microphone to the floor as they walked off stage.
Run-DMC call for peace at show
