j dilla
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J Dilla’s “Welcome 2 Detroit” ain’t just an album; it’s a statement.
When it first dropped in 2001, it was a raw, unfiltered love letter to the D and a showcase of Dilla’s next-level production. Two decades later, with its 20th-anniversary re-release, it’s only right we give this classic its flowers.
From the jump, *Welcome 2 Detroit* let you know what time it was. Dilla wasn’t just a beatmaker; he was a whole vibe. “Pause” with Frank-N-Dank had that bounce that made your face scrunch up, while “Think Twice” flipped a jazz classic into something smooth yet undeniable. Then, you had joints like “Y’all Ain’t Ready,” where the bassline alone could shake the block. And Dilla wasn’t just behind the boards (he was spitting too), proving he could hold his own on the mic.
What made this album so legendary was how ahead of its time it was. Dilla wasn’t just making beats, he was building soundscapes, mixing hip-hop, soul, jazz, and even Brazilian vibes on tracks like “Rico Suave Bossa Nova.” He was in his bag, showing the world that Detroit had something different to offer.
Now, 20 years later, this re-release reminds us why Dilla is still that guy. His fingerprints are all over the game, influencing producers like Madlib, Knxwledge, and Kaytranada. *Welcome 2 Detroit* ain’t aged a day—it still slaps just as hard. Dilla changed the sound of hip-hop forever, and this album proves why his legacy will never fade.
Check out our friends at OkayPlayer’s deep dive on J Dilla’s classic album “Welcome 2 Detriot” here
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Across the nation, February is Black History Month. But in Detroit, it’s Dilla Month.
The celebrations for the acclaimed producer James “J Dilla” Yancey were louder than ever this year—just one year shy of the 20th anniversary of his passing.
February 7th was officially recognized as “J Dilla Day” in Detroit and a street sign was installed on the street where the icon grew up.
“Words cannot describe how grateful we are for this declaration,” said his youngest daughter, Ja’Mya Yancey, per Detroit’s Channel 955. “For years, he has been celebrated for the entire month of February all over the city, country and the world. My sister [Ty-Monae Whitlow] and I continue to try to uplift and honor his name and legacy, and this is such a monumental step to help us continue on the work he left behind.”
Dan Charnas, the author of the celebrated book Dilla Time, also came to celebrate the honor on Instagram.
“A great morning in Detroit. A lot of people worked very hard to get to this moment, the first real official recognition of the work and legacy of James Dewitt Yancey from the City of Detroit,” Charnas wrote.
“Much respect and admiration to his daughters [Ja’Mya Yancey] and [Ty-Monae Whitelow]. To [Joylette Hunter] who did the heavy lifting, and to [Detroit councilwoman Mary Sheffield] who shepherded this process. To the folks at the James Dewitt Yancey Estate, and to [Questlove], [Common], [Pete Rock], [Karriem Riggins] and [Jessica Care Moore]. If you nurtured or worked with Dilla, you helped to get this done, too.”
Additionally, Dilla’s mother Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey and the James Dewitt Yancey Estate hosted a Dilla Day concert on Feb. 8 and performers included Slum Village, Guilty Simpson and more. The proceeds from the event went to the victims of the Eaton wildfires.
James DeWitt Yancey better known as J. Dilla passed away on February 10, from a rare blood disorder called TTP a form of lupus.
He is one of several creatives who have been honored with street namings this year including his mentor, Amp Fiddler.
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Give Lyrics, a trailblazer in merging fashion with music culture and lyrics, has created three commemorative varsity, coach, and bomber jackets in celebration of what would have been the 50th Birth Anniversary of legendary producer James “J. Dilla” Yancey.
Source: Give Lyrics / Give Lyrics
The exclusive outerwear embodies Dilla’s groundbreaking musical legacy and timeless influence on music and Hip-Hop culture.
“We are honored to unveil the Dilla World – J Dilla Limited Edition 50th Birthday Commemorative Jackets, a tribute to one of the most influential producers in hip-hop history,” said Give Lyric’s Founder, April Woodard, in a statement. “J Dilla’s impact on music and culture is immeasurable, and this jacket serves as a celebration of his enduring legacy and artistic brilliance.”
The Give Lyrics x Dilla World – J Dilla Limited Edition 50th Birthday Commemorative Jackets will be available in extremely limited quantities, making it a must-have for collectors, fans, and aficionados of Hip-Hop culture. Design elements include a purple donut associated with lupus awareness, street signs of the neighborhood where J Dilla produced iconic hit records, the lyric “Turn It Up” and James Yancey Foundation crest also the iconic MPC 3000.
A percentage of sales will support The James Yancey Foundation.
Crafted from premium materials and accents, the flagship offering–the bomber jacket exudes luxury and authenticity. Fulfilled and crafted by fellow emcee Arkmallah “Ockz” Hilliard owner and operator of Embroidery Chef.
Give Lyrics works to harmonize social giving with artistic expression, creating a world where every purchase resonates with purpose. They strive to empower individuals to make a difference by providing a platform where meaningful merchandise meets impactful causes.
They share royalties with music artist and support social causes near and dear to their hearts, while providing fans with apparel and accessories that spark conversations moving the culture forward.
To purchase Give Lyrics x Dilla World – J Dilla Limited Edition Jackets and to reserve your piece of Hip-Hop history, visit http://www.givelyrics.com.
Source: Give Lyrics / Give Lyrics
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Fans of the Detroit Pistons may be upset at the season they’re having and the trades they made yesterday, but at least the franchise will be giving Hip-Hop heads something to look forward to when they celebrate the legacy of legendary Hip-Hop producer and Detroit native, J. Dilla.
The team announced via a press release shared with HipHopWired that on March 13, the team will be releasing a capsule collection celebrating the life of the renowned music producer. With the help of fellow Detroit native, Royce Da 5’9″, the curated pieces will serve as a reminder of the impact that Dilla had not only on the rap game, but the city of Detroit as well.
Per the press release:
The collection was designed in partnership with Detroit-based rap star Royce 5’9”, who served as art director on the project. Royce and Dilla worked on several records together prior to Dilla’s passing, including “Let’s Grow.” According to Royce, this project serves to carry on Dilla’s legacy and complete their “unfinished business.”
“Dilla’s enduring legacy is a treasure that must be safeguarded at any expense,” said Royce. “It is a great honor to be responsible for curating his likeness in this exclusive merchandise drop entrusted to me by his estate and the Pistons. This campaign holds major significance not just for myself but also for the city of Detroit and the hip-hop community as a whole.”
Each piece in the capsule will pay homage to J. Dilla, his work, and his non-traditional style. Product images and details will be unveiled leading up to 313 Day, when the capsule drops and the Pistons will host the Toronto Raptors at Little Caesars Arena.
The capsule collection will be available March 13 on the Pistons 313 Shop and will no doubt become must-have attire for the hardcore J. Dilla and Detroit Piston fans out there. We’re already eyeing that jersey, and we’re not even Pistons fans.
Check out J. Dilla’s daughters talk about his legacy on the team’s IG page below, and let us know if you’ll be copping a piece when the collection officially drops next month.
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The Detroit music community is mourning the passing of funk legend Joseph “Amp” Fiddler who has passed away at the age of 65.
According to a post on his official Instagram, the beloved performer died after “an extensive and noble battle with cancer.”
The influential producer and musician is credited as being an instrumental force in the development of the career of James “J. Dilla” Yancey. It was Fiddler who taught Dilla how to use the Akai MPC sampling machine when the two lived as neighbors in the historic Conant Gardens neighborhood in Detroit.
A trained pianist, Fiddler played keys for George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic from 1985 to 1996. A post on the Funkateer’s official Facebook page salutes Fiddler, “Rest in eternal musical excellence Parliament-Funkadelic keyboardist Joseph Anthony “Amp” Fiddler (May 17th, 1958-December 17th, 2023). Fly on Amp! We love you dearly!”
On his own, Fiddler worked with Moodymann, Jamiroquai, and Prince, among others. His keyboard playing also appears on Seal’s 1994 hit “Kiss from a Rose.” In 1990 he released his first solo album With Respect under the alias Mr. Fiddler, followed by 2004’s Waltz of a Ghetto Fly and most recently 2017’s Amp Dog Knights, according to Detroit Metro Times.
Messages of love and condolences have been pouring in from across the world of Hip-Hop. Roots drummer, Questlove wrote on Instagram, “Rest easy brother Amp. For all those talks during the Pfunk tour. For all the music. Especially of course mentoring the one who mentored us (Dilla)——thank you brother 🙏🏾 #AmpFiddler”
Dan Charnas, author of the book Dilla Time, shared a message and an excerpt from his book where he explored how Dilla and Amp met.. “Some people give and ask for things in return, keep score, make sure they get theirs. Some people don’t. The latter group are quite rare. Joseph Anthony Fiddler was a true mentor. He transformed countless lives with his generosity. Thank you, Amp, for transforming mine. Thinking of all his people people today.”
Detroit Hip-Hop artists are deeply morning with many sharing memories of the legendary artist.
Messages of love and respect also poured in from X (formerly Twitter).
Details about the official celebration of Amp Fiddler’s life have not been disclosed. A GoFundMe is actively seeking funds to cover his funeral expenses.
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It seems that Deric “D-Dot” Angelettie is living up to his Madd Rapper alter ego with claims that his catalog is better than that of the late, great James “J. Dilla” Yancey.
“I love J Dilla to death, but he can’t see my catalog,” Angelettie said on Math Hoffa’s podcast. My Expert Opinion, as reported by HipHopDX.
D-Dot was a member of The Hitmen—the in-house Bad Boy production team and he crafted hits like“Hypnotize” by The Notorious B.I.G, along with Diddy‘s “It’s All About the Benjamins” and JAY-Z‘s “Where I’m From.”
The producer sounded like one of his old skits when he added, “Put their shit up against mine. My shit is all over the place. Shit I made 27 years ago.”
Dilla fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to sound off about D-Dot’s claims to have a better catalog than the late Detroit legend who produced songs for A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, Busta Rhymes, De La Soul, and his own group Slum Village.
Another commenter pointed out a misconception that Dilla was only a “backpack” producer, adding, “The best gag I think is to call Dilla “conscious rap” or lofi because the nigga rapped solely about cars, cash, hoes, beats. Slum also. Nigga shit purely. Despite making soulful, soothing joints, the drums told U what time it was.”
Another chimed in, “J Dilla has to be one of the most misunderstood artists ever. He’s constantly portrayed as this conscious backpacker with a rigid idea of what hip-hop is. In reality he was super experimental, loved bounce and funk and rapped about jewelry and Range Rovers.”
Dilla died on February 10, 2006. The producer was also a prolific rapper who emerged from Detroit’s hip-hop underground and quickly became a favorite among the hip-hop elite with his unique drum style.
His music has been celebrated by symphony orchestras, he has been honored with a street, Allée Jay Dee, named after him Montpellier, France and his MPC is in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
A book about his life and his musical stylings was recently published by hip-hop scholar and teacher, Dan Charnas called Dilla Time.
Peep more of D Dot getting schooled, and Dilla praise, in the gallery.
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