J Dilla
James Yancey
"One of the music industry's most influential hip-hop artists, working for big-name acts like De La Soul, Busta Rhymes and Common." - NPR.org
After quietly serving as a member of A Tribe Called Quest’s production team, the Ummah, and scoring hits for Busta Rhymes, De La Soul and Pharcyde, Detroit producer Jay Dee became known as a major hip-hop prospect by the late 90s. The hip-hop community took notice of his no-frills, breakbeat-heavy hip-hop style as he helped craft albums for Common (Like Water for Chocolate), Q Tip (Amplified), and the debut for his own group Slum Village (Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1).
By the time of his major-label debut with Slum Village’s Fantastic, Vol. 2 in 2000, Jay Dee was recognized as one of hip-hop’s most admired and desired producers. Jay Dee’s debut as a solo artist came in 2001 with the single “Fuck the Police” and the album "Welcome to Detroit" on BBE.
After assuming the name J Dilla, he joined the Stones Throw roster in 2003, forming Jaylib with fellow producer/MC Madlib, and relocated from Detroit to Los Angeles. The duo released the “The Red” b/w “The Official” in 2003, followed by the album "Champion Sound" and a tour the following spring.
When Pharrell Williams was asked about his favorite hip-hop producer during a BET interview in 2004 he replied, “You may not know his name, but J Dilla, Jay Dee from Detroit.” Indeed, the interviewer didn’t know - J Dilla has eluded the spotlight, preferring the studio to the stage or video. His work is mostly released by independents, for different groups, and under different names, but his core audience and cult status has grown. His pirated beat tapes (instrumentals, raw working material for rappers) have become something of urban legend, as their circulation from hand to hand and over the internet have led to a black market of Dilla beat tape collectors.
Despite contributing two tracks to Common’s career-resurrecting "Be" this year, it’s been a quiet time for Dilla. So where has he been ? A cover story in URB (Mar 2004) made public his recent, sudden struggle with illness, and recently rumors began circulating again about health emergencies and hospitalization. Asked about this in XXL (June 2005), Dilla himself partially confirmed these stories. “The rumors were like, ‘Jay Dee is dead’ and all that, but I was just in the hospital. I was in ICU, with all types of tubes. It was crazy.”
Working both from his home studio and while hospitalized - from a portable sound system including turntable, samplers, and small boxes of vinyl brought in and out from visitors - Dilla continued making music at his usual non-stop pace, circulating beats to MCs, and coming up with the foundation of what would become "Donuts".
Begun simply enough as a production beat tape, "Donuts" evolved into a project as unusual as the environment in which it was created. It’s a hip-hop album without MC’s. An album of electronic music that at times sounds like a 70s soul mixtape. Its abrupt transitions and numerous interludes might make you think you’re rapidly turning the radio dial in some strange city where every station is programmed by a certain Detroit hip-hop producer. "Donuts" is J Dilla doing what he does best - crafting hip-hop, soul and electronic music into his own sound. And a few have asked, “What’s up with the title ?” Easy explanation. Dilla likes donuts.
Health concerns again reached a peak in November 2005 when J Dilla toured Europe performing from a wheelchair. Jay Dee passed away on February 10, 2006 at his home in Los Angeles, California due to kidney complications associated with lupus nephritis.
RIP J Dilla 1974 - 2006
Bio courtesy of http://www.hiphopgalaxy.com
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Enjoy & Download this mix of J Dilla music by DJ Rasta Root "Rest of Dilla Vol I"
http://bit.ly/RestofDillaV1
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After quietly serving as a member of A Tribe Called Quest’s production team, the Ummah, and scoring hits for Busta Rhymes, De La Soul and Pharcyde, Detroit producer Jay Dee became known as a major hip-hop prospect by the late 90s. The hip-hop community took notice of his no-frills, breakbeat-heavy hip-hop style as he helped craft albums for Common (Like Water for Chocolate), Q Tip (Amplified), and the debut for his own group Slum Village (Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1).
By the time of his major-label debut with Slum Village’s Fantastic, Vol. 2 in 2000, Jay Dee was recognized as one of hip-hop’s most admired and desired producers. Jay Dee’s debut as a solo artist came in 2001 with the single “Fuck the Police” and the album "Welcome to Detroit" on BBE.
After assuming the name J Dilla, he joined the Stones Throw roster in 2003, forming Jaylib with fellow producer/MC Madlib, and relocated from Detroit to Los Angeles. The duo released the “The Red” b/w “The Official” in 2003, followed by the album "Champion Sound" and a tour the following spring.
When Pharrell Williams was asked about his favorite hip-hop producer during a BET interview in 2004 he replied, “You may not know his name, but J Dilla, Jay Dee from Detroit.” Indeed, the interviewer didn’t know - J Dilla has eluded the spotlight, preferring the studio to the stage or video. His work is mostly released by independents, for different groups, and under different names, but his core audience and cult status has grown. His pirated beat tapes (instrumentals, raw working material for rappers) have become something of urban legend, as their circulation from hand to hand and over the internet have led to a black market of Dilla beat tape collectors.
Despite contributing two tracks to Common’s career-resurrecting "Be" this year, it’s been a quiet time for Dilla. So where has he been ? A cover story in URB (Mar 2004) made public his recent, sudden struggle with illness, and recently rumors began circulating again about health emergencies and hospitalization. Asked about this in XXL (June 2005), Dilla himself partially confirmed these stories. “The rumors were like, ‘Jay Dee is dead’ and all that, but I was just in the hospital. I was in ICU, with all types of tubes. It was crazy.”
Working both from his home studio and while hospitalized - from a portable sound system including turntable, samplers, and small boxes of vinyl brought in and out from visitors - Dilla continued making music at his usual non-stop pace, circulating beats to MCs, and coming up with the foundation of what would become "Donuts".
Begun simply enough as a production beat tape, "Donuts" evolved into a project as unusual as the environment in which it was created. It’s a hip-hop album without MC’s. An album of electronic music that at times sounds like a 70s soul mixtape. Its abrupt transitions and numerous interludes might make you think you’re rapidly turning the radio dial in some strange city where every station is programmed by a certain Detroit hip-hop producer. "Donuts" is J Dilla doing what he does best - crafting hip-hop, soul and electronic music into his own sound. And a few have asked, “What’s up with the title ?” Easy explanation. Dilla likes donuts.
Health concerns again reached a peak in November 2005 when J Dilla toured Europe performing from a wheelchair. Jay Dee passed away on February 10, 2006 at his home in Los Angeles, California due to kidney complications associated with lupus nephritis.
RIP J Dilla 1974 - 2006
Bio courtesy of http://www.hiphopgalaxy.com
?>
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Enjoy & Download this mix of J Dilla music by DJ Rasta Root "Rest of Dilla Vol I"
http://bit.ly/RestofDillaV1
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J Dilla Project
Oct, 2009The Alliance for Lupus Research has initiated a nationwide Walk program that is designed to raise both awareness and dollars for the fight against lupus.
The Alliance for Lupus Research was founded in 1999 through the vision and commitment of Robert Wood Johnson IV and the support of the Arthritis Foundation. Since its inception, the ALR has committed more than $35 million to lupus research. Now we seek to raise unprecedented additional funds for lupus research through the Walk Program. Walk proceeds will enable us to support the work of well-established researchers currently working in the field and to attract bright and energetic new scientists to lupus research.
We're asking all you wonderful people to help the cause by joining us. Come out and walk, sponsor a walker or team, giving a donation (even a dollar helps), volunteering at an event. You can walk alone, join a team, or even start your own walk team. Better yet, support the fight against Lupus and celebrate Dilla Dawg but starting an ALR Walkathon team of your own and naming it "J.Dilla Project". Walk With Us!
For more info & to contribute visit:
http://bit.ly/2fPehO
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