dilla anthology I

dilla anthology I. due march 31st

dilla and skateboarding?

its 1030 pm and i was lying in my bed ready to go to sleep before work tomorrow when i heard dillas beat over this etnies commercial sponsoring Ryan Sheckler. Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz8CUFtHtaM

What is Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that tragically took the life from whom we know as Jay Dee, J Dilla, but to his family James Dewitt Yancey. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often affects the heart, joint, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys and nervous system. As other autoimmune disease it your own immune system will attack your bodies cells and tissues. Though SLE is treatable for its symptoms there still remains no cure. One of the big problems with Lupus is that there isn't a test one can take to see if they have it regardless of its symptoms. Unfortunately, many of the signs of lupus are also associated with other diseases and so misdiagnosis has been a big issue. Lupus has the ability to come and go, appear and reappear. Its symptoms may seem as if they are going into remission but then will return again. Because this disease is so complicated and involves a number of factors far beyond any field of expertise I can account for, this link should hopefully help break the legistics down of the disease from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease. Dilla is also sponsored in the Lupus Foundation for America "Walk for Lupus Now", a premier walking event to raise money in order to try and bring an end to this disease. There is a listing on the site to see when and where the walk comes to your state.

disco with dilla

Here is a link to the complete discography for Dilla by Stones Throw Records. You can find all his artist/group releases including some of my favorites with Frank N Dank, MF Doom and Tribe, but they are all amazing. There is also an extensive list of his production credits for other artists that he worked/produced with or for (many may surprise you). Check it out and don't be afraid to buy a cd. http://www.stonesthrow.com/jdilla/discography

For those who dont know...

James Dewitt Yancey (February 7, 1974–February 10, 2006), better known as J Dilla or Jay Dee was an American hip hop producer and emcee, who emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip-hop scene in Detroit, Michigan. Dilla embodied the neo- soul sound and had a major influence on his peers during the mid 90's to 2000's. He began as a member of Ummah, a production team for personal friends of his A Tribe Called Quest (another favorite of mine). His breakbeat, heavy hip hop and "no frill" style of making music was being recognized by the hip hop community. Pharrell Williams named Dilla his favorite producer and was highly acknowledged as a producer's producer by Kanye West and Just Blaze. Pharrell 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.” Of Course the interviewer had no idea. A large collection of his work, mostly unused beats and instrumentals , remains unreleased, and have been circulating around through the internet, impressing hip hop fans and upsetting record companies. Amp Fiddler, a friend of Dilla who played a funk/soul stlyle of music helped Jay master the MPC machine, large improvement from an old school tape deck. Jay got together with T3 and Baatin, friends from highschool, forming Slum Village who were quick to release their first album Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1. Jay immediately began spending his days and nights producing music. His skills instrumentally was noticed by the entire music industry and Dilla began producing beats for artists such as The Pharcyde, Busta Rhymes, Keith Murray (Def Squad), De La Soul, Janet Jackson, Macy Gray, D'Angelo, A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu and N'Dea Davenport. In 1999 Dilla became part of The Soulquarians, which included Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson of The Roots, James Poyser a keyboardist out of Philly and D’angelo. Jay produced a substantial amount of Common’s 2000 release “Like Water for Chocolate” which not only went gold but also secured Dilla a record deal with MCA Records for his McNasty label. While collaborating with a number of artists like Madlib and Pete Rock, rumors began circulating about Dilla's health. Unfortunately for the most part the rumors were true, Jay was hospitalized in ICU with complications from Lupus Nephritis, an autoimmune disease that attacks the bodies cells and tissue. Dilla began working straight out of hospital bed from a portable sound system including a turntable, samplers, and small boxes of vinyl brought in by friends and family. Here began the foundation for what soon turned into his famous beat instrumental album "Donuts". The amount of Jay's discography is unheard of and I would be here forever listing off albums, I'll post a link or list of his work in a later post. It was in 2005 when concerns regarding Dilla's health began emerging while he was touring Europe as sick as anyone could possibly imagine, and check this, performing out of a wheel chair! On February 10, 2006 at his home in Los Angeles, California James Dewitt Yancey passed away due to kidney complications associated with lupus. "Donuts" was released just three days earlier.

DJ Rhettmatic- Whatupdoe 09 Dilla Mix

new dilla mix/tribute i just came across and found myself bumpin to. i know there are hundreds of these sampled over his beats but i wanted to share this . http://www.zshare.net/audio/55152872f9602029/

Dilla Month

This february is Dilla Month paying homage and respects to the irreplaceable sounds he created and life he lived. His birthday Feb. 7th happened to fall just three days before his passing Feb 10th (2006). In spite of these dates a few events are happening around the country to pay tribute to Dilla which I wish I could have made it to the Donuts are Forever show in New York. There are three other events left which I am posting. If any of these are in your area and you appreciate true talent, smooth beats and rhymes try to check one out all proceeds I assume are going to the J Dilla Foundation. If not just find some of Dillas tracks or instrumentals wherever you are, turn up your speakers and let the bass rattle. If you need some help start with this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=871pJcNrfKI

SUITE FOR MA DUKES
SUN, FEB 22, LOS ANGELES
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson & Carlos Nino with orchestra, pefrorming “Suite for Ma Dukes” for the first time. Opening DJ Sets by J. Rocc and House Shoes.
“Timeless” by Mochilla. Venue: Harriet and Charles Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 7pm - 11pm, All Ages, Tickets via Ticketmaster.

NIGHTLIFE: SONGS IN THE KEY OF “D”
SAT, FEB 14, LOS ANGELES
J. Rocc, DJ Babu, Rhettmatic & Mr. Choc's Los Angeles even returns for one night.
Venue: Echoplex, $10, 10:30-2AM, 18+

DETROIT FOR DILLA
TUES, FEB. 10, DETROIT
Slum Village, Guilty Simpson, Phat Kat, Black Milk, House Shoes, Dez, K-Fresh & others
Tv Bar. 2554 Grand River Ave.

DONUTS ARE FOREVER
SAT, FEB 7, NEW YORK
Venue: Public Assembly, 10PM, 21+

BOOMBOX
SAT, FEB 7, LOS ANGELES
with J Rocc, Illa J and House Shoes
Venue: Grand Star Jazz Club, 21+

Dillas Estate

I was reading this article the other day on stones throw (http://www.stonesthrow.com/news/2009/01/the-battle-for-j-dilla-s-legacy) and it was really bothering me to hear about the trouble the Yancey family has been having to deal with over Dilla's Estate in which his ma dukes, wife or 6 yr old daughter have not seen a dime and its been 3 years since his passing. Now with the reality of being able to download music nearly anywhere on the internet Dilla's beats are coming out of the woodwork ripped over tracks that his mother said were 'raw deals'. Free downloading particularly on Busta's cd 'Dillagence' which estate accountant Arty Erk said caused a problem because they couldnt expose the tracks. Now All Ma Dukes asked of us Dilla fans to just pray for Jay Dees girls.

Whats this all about?

This blog is a remembrance and celebration of the life of an artist and producer that shaped the way I look at hip hop in my life today. R.I.P. J Dilla Jay Dee *James Dewitt Yancey* You will be missed but never forgotten. Them jewels you rock up in heaven Make'em NV.

tee
Originally uploaded by davebuddenhagen

RIP

RIP
Originally uploaded by davebuddenhagen