j. dilla
ooh (instrumental)
loading / —
American hip hop DJ/producer. Born: 7 February 1974 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Died: 10 February 2006 in Los Angeles, California, USA (aged 32). James Dewitt Yancey, better known by his stage name J Dilla or Jay Dee, was an American record producer who emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip-hop scene in Detroit, Michigan. He began his career as a member of the group Slum Village, and made his name with Common, A Tribe Called Quest, and as Jaylib in which he collaborated with Madlib. He was also a member of the production team trio The Ummah with Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. He started his career under the name Jay Dee (based on his initials) but used the name J Dilla from 2001 onward. Many critics believe his work to have had a major influence on his peers and that he embodied the neo-soul sound, playing a defining yet understated role during the sub-genre's rise (roughly from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s). LA-based producer and MC, Madlib, began collaborating with J Dilla, and the pair formed the group Jaylib in 2002, releasing an album called "Champion Sound" in 2003. After J Dilla relocated from Detroit to LA in 2004, they toured as Jaylib in Spring 2004. He moved from his native Detroit to Los Angeles to live with his mother after being diagnosed in 2003. It was later revealed that he suffered from TTP, a rare blood disease, and Lupus, affecting the immune-system. J Dilla's illness and medication caused dramatic weight loss from 2003 onwards, forcing him to publicly confirm speculation about his health in 2004. Despite a slower output of major releases and production credits in 2004-2005, his cult status remained strong within his core audience, as evident by unauthorized circulation of his underground "beat tapes" (instrumental, and raw working materials), mostly through internet file sharing. Articles in music publications URB (March 2004) and XXL (June 2005) confirmed rumors of ill health and hospitalization during this period, but these were downplayed by J himself. The seriousness of his condition became public in November 2005 when J Dilla toured Europe performing from a wheelchair. His last album released during his lifetime, "Donuts", was released on Stones Throw Records on 7 Feb 2006, Dilla's 32nd birthday, and the first one in years he didn't spend in hospital. Three days later, on 10 February 2006, he died at his home in LA. According to his mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey, the cause was cardiac arrest. The founding of the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation was announced in May 2006 by his mother Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey, to honour her son's legacy and to help raise awareness and funding for Lupus research by organising continued events to aid underprivileged children gain quality arts training, primarily in the field of music. He is brother to Illa J and his father was Beverly Dewitt Yancey
discogs
James Dewitt Yancey (February 7, 1974 – February 10, 2006), better known by the stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was an American record producer, rapper, and composer. He emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip-hop scene in Detroit, Michigan, as a member of the group Slum Village. He was a founding member of the Soulquarians, a musical collective active during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Yancey collaborated with Madlib as the duo Jaylib, releasing the album "Champion Sound." His final album, "Donuts," was released three days before his death. He also produced tracks for the Pharcyde album "Labcabincalifornia." Yancey died at the age of 32 from complications related to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and lupus. He is recognized as an influential figure in hip-hop production, particularly in Detroit, where his music contributed to the development of instrumental and sample-based hip-hop. His approach to drum programming, often characterized by unconventional timing and swing, has influenced producers and drummers. Yancey grew up in Detroit. His mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey, was a former opera singer, and his father, Beverly Dewitt Yancey, was a jazz bassist. He developed an interest in hip-hop and other musical genres from a young age. While attending Pershing High School, he joined T3 and Baatin in rap battles, forming the group Slum Village. Yancey began producing beats using a tape deck and trained himself in his teenage years by working alone in his basement. In 1992, Yancey met Amp Fiddler, who allowed him to use an Akai MPC. Fiddler introduced him to Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, leading to Yancey's early production opportunities. In 1995, he and MC Phat Kat formed 1st Down, the first Detroit hip-hop group to sign with a major label, Payday Records, though the contract ended after one single. That year, he recorded the "Yester Years" EP with 5 Elementz. Slum Village recorded their debut album "Fantastic, Vol. 1" in 1996, released in 1997, which gained recognition among Detroit hip-hop audiences. Yancey felt uncomfortable with comparisons to A Tribe Called Quest, emphasizing that his music reflected the experiences of his local community. By the mid-1990s, Yancey had produced singles and remixes for artists including Janet Jackson, the Pharcyde, De La Soul, Busta Rhymes, and Q-Tip. Some of these productions were credited to the Ummah, a production collective including Yancey, Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and later Raphael Saadiq. He produced original tracks and remixes for various artists, including seven tracks on the Pharcyde's "Labcabincalifornia" and Poe's debut album "Hello." Slum Village released "Fantastic, Vol. 2" in 2000, marking their major label debut and increasing Yancey's recognition as a producer. As part of the Soulquarians, he contributed to works by Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli, Common, and Poe. Yancey released his solo single "Fuck the Police" in 2001, followed by the album "Welcome 2 Detroit." He adopted the stage name J Dilla to differentiate himself from Jermaine Dupri. He later left Slum Village to pursue a solo career with MCA Records. In 2002, Yancey worked on Frank-N-Dank's "48 Hours" and recorded a solo album, though neither was officially released. He assisted in the production of Bilal's second album "Love for Sale," introducing distinctive drum programming techniques. He continued to collaborate with artists such as Madlib, Pete Rock, Hi-Tek, Supa Dave West, Kanye West, Nottz, and Waajeed. He released the vinyl album "Ruff Draft" through the German label Groove Attack. Yancey collaborated with Madlib as Jaylib, releasing "Champion Sound" in 2003. He relocated to Los Angeles in 2004 and toured with Jaylib. His health declined due to TTP and lupus, causing significant weight loss and limiting his ability to perform. Despite reduced output, his work maintained a strong following, with underground beat tapes circulating online. Yancey died on February 10, 2006, at his home in Los Angeles, shortly after the release of "Donuts." The cause of death was reported as cardiac arrest. Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J_Dilla Studio albums Welcome 2 Detroit (2001) Champion Sound (2003) (with Madlib as Jaylib) Donuts (2006) Posthumously released studio albums The Shining (2006) Jay Love Japan (2007) Jay Stay Paid (2009) The Diary (2016) Extended plays Vol. 1: Unreleased (2002) Vol. 2: Vintage (2003) Ruff Draft (2003) Compilations Jay Deelicious: The Delicious Vinyl Years (2007) Dillanthology 1: Dilla's Productions for Various Artists (2009) Dillanthology 2: Dilla's Remixes for Various Artists (2009) Dillanthology 3: Dilla's Productions (2009) Lost Tapes, Reels + More (2013) Jay Dee a.k.a. J Dilla 'The King of Beats' (Box Set) (2015) Dillatronic (2015) Jay Dee a.k.a. J Dilla 'The King of Beats', Vol. 2: Lost Scrolls (2016) Jay Dee's Ma Dukes Collection (2016) J Dilla's Delights, Vol. 1 (2017) J Dilla's Delights, Vol. 2 (2017)
last.fm
WEFUNK plays the finest in hip-hop, funk and soul. Discover our radio stream and show archive, and join our 20+ year journey through classic cuts, underground gems and dusty obscurities in the mix.