A major breakthrough has occurred in one of hip-hop’s most notorious unsolved murder cases, as a third suspect has formally admitted his role in the killing of Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay nearly 24 years after the crime.

Jay Bryant, 52, pleaded guilty in federal court in Brooklyn to participating in the 2002 murder of Jam Master Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell. Prosecutors say Bryant helped facilitate the fatal shooting by allowing the gunmen access to Mizell’s recording studio in Queens, New York, where the attack took place.

Jam Master Jay was shot and killed on October 30, 2002, inside his second-floor recording studio in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens. According to investigators, Bryant opened a rear door of the building, allowing the armed attackers to enter unnoticed. During his plea, Bryant admitted he was aware that a firearm would be used in the attack.

Authorities believe the murder was motivated by a dispute tied to a cocaine distribution deal reportedly worth around $200,000. Prosecutors have alleged that Mizell had excluded certain associates from the drug deal, prompting retaliation that ultimately led to his death.

Two other men were previously charged in the case: Karl Jordan Jr., who prosecutors identified as the gunman who shot Mizell, and Ronald Washington, who was accused of assisting in the attack. Both men were convicted in 2024, though legal challenges in the case have continued in the years since the verdicts were delivered.

Bryant’s involvement in the crime came to light years after the killing when investigators discovered DNA evidence linking him to a hat recovered at the crime scene. The evidence helped federal prosecutors build a case against Bryant decades after the initial investigation stalled.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Bryant faces a potential sentence of approximately 15 to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced later this year.

Jam Master Jay was widely regarded as one of the most influential DJs in hip-hop history. As a founding member of Run-DMC, he helped shape the genre during the 1980s, contributing to groundbreaking hits such as “Walk This Way,” which famously blended rap with rock and helped bring hip-hop to a global mainstream audience.

For many years, Mizell’s murder remained one of the music industry’s most baffling cold cases. The guilty plea marks another significant development in the long-running effort to bring those responsible for the influential artist’s death to justice.