j. dilla Archives

M.K. Assante Draws Inspiration from Maya Angelou & J. Dilla on My Victory (Audio)

Author, scholar, poet and MC, M.K. Assante, draws inspiration from Maya Angelou and J. Dilla on "My Victory." M.K. sprinkles in his heady verses, accompanied by some words of wisdom from Dr. Angelou and a killer beat from Dilla. Check it out. Related: M.K. Asante Recruits Talib Kweli, Ras Kass... Read more

July 1, 2014 Audio

How About Some Unreleased Young, Pepped-Up J Dilla Rapping? (Audio)

J Dilla left behind a seemingly endless supply of unreleased music. Outside of his groups (Slum Village, JayLib), the producer/MC with more than one impresario loved recording. He did it nonstop, and also circulated tailor-made beat-tapes that are still surfacing. As part of Dilla's just-announced, family-endorsed box set, Rolling Stone... Read more

June 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

14 Years Ago Today, Slum Village Released Their Defining, Fantastic, Volume 2. AFH Took A Trip Down Memory Lane With The Remaining Founding Member, T3 (Food For Thought Interview)

Fourteen years ago today, the sentinels of Hip-Hop history were forced to chisel out a fraction of its foundation and infinitely reserve the section for a budding, yet unconventional trio's 68-minute audible depiction of the essence of life in Detroit, Michigan. Whether the culture of Hip-Hop comprehended the significance of... Read more

June 13, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

Kanye West Explains How J Dilla Influenced Yeezus (Video)

Back in 2005, during the launch of Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music, 'Ye inked a deal with one of his influences, Common. During the making of Comm's Be LP, two producers worked on the album: Kanye and J Dilla. The gold-certified, Grammy-nominated album would eventually feature two Jay Dee production, and... Read more

May 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

J Dilla’s Sought-After Collaboration With Supa Dave West Comes To The Light (Audio)

Not even at the halfway mark, 2014 has been especially big in unreleased J Dilla/Jay Dee music. The Slum Village co-founder's unheard gems continue to surface, this time by way of a collaboration with "Supa" Dave West. The De La Soul, Talib Kweli, and E-40 producer had a particular knock... Read more

May 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Marvelous Mag & Smoovth Ship Off Their Message In A Bottle Dedicated To The Late J Dilla (Audio)

Velvety, relaxing, Jazz-laden production from veteran producer J. Rawls (Black Star, Lone Catalysts) lays the soundscape for Marvelous Mag and Smoovth to take over their latest track dedicated to the late J Dilla. Be sure to "Enjoy Yourself" with Marvelous Mag's latest mixtape, Ocean Front, that washed to shore yesterday.... Read more

May 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

J Dilla Love Songs Live On As The Yancey Boys Team With Eric Roberson For An Ill Groove (Video)

One of the flag-wavers in the J Dilla/Jay Dee legacy is The Yancey Boys. The Delicious Vinyl Records-backed outfit of Illa J (Dilla's brother) and Frank Nitti (of Frank-N-Dank), along with the posthumous works of Jay Dee has made some celebrated music since 2006, when the world lost a luminary.... Read more

April 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

De La Soul Is Pressing Up 100 Copies Of Smell The Da.I.S.Y. & Hiding Them In Record Stores (Video)

De La Soul is forever the coolest. Following last month's Smell The Da.I.S.Y. mixtape, combining Posdnous and Dave verses, with some Maseo flavor with J Dilla beats, the group that invented the three-sided single back in the late '80s is coming to wax (white vinyl to be exact) with it.... Read more

April 17, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh, Video

Remember Those Raw Jay Dee Verses? Here’s One You Haven’t Heard On J Dilla’s Give Em What They Want (Audio)

With Slum Village, and on his 2001 solo debut, Welcome 2 Detroit, J Dilla (as Jay Dee) was a cold cat. You can see why Dilla got along so well with Phat Kat and Guilty Simpson when it came to talking about accessorizing his truck, or enjoying carnal pleasures without... Read more

April 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

J Dilla’s Omnipresence Continues This Week, With Slum Village’s Yes Yes (Video)

Just a day removed from De La Soul's J Dilla-produced Smell The Da.I.S.Y. mixtape, Slum Village also unveils their continuing posthumous working relationship with the group co-founder. Jay Dee, along with the late Baatin, and T3 brought the Villa from the underground Hip-Hop waters of Detroit in the early '90s.... Read more

March 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

De La Soul Unleashes Their J Dilla-Produced Smell The D.A.I.S.Y. (Mixtape)

During a relatively quiet year for the mixtape medium, three Long Island veterans and a late Detroit mainstay have shattered the tranquil waters. As planned, De La Soul released Smell The D.A.I.S.Y. today (March 26th). The 30-minute mixtape pairs Posdnuos, Maseo, and Dave (fka Trugoy) with the music of their... Read more

March 26, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh, Mixes

De La Soul Reworks Some Of Their Own Classic Lyrics On This J Dilla Beat (Audio)

On March 26th, De La Soul is releasing Smell The D.A.I.S.Y., the group's first mixtape since 2006 (not counting the Nike project). The release pairs Posdnous, Dave, and Maseo with some unreleased/under-heard J Dilla productions, who was the trio's dear friend and collaborator since the Stakes Is High days. Following... Read more

March 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Sean Price & Crew Hop On A J Dilla Beat For Some Leave Ya Nose Bloody Raps (Audio)

Those J Dilla beats never seem to run on reserve. Random Axe's Sean Price makes another Detroit link when he hops on a leftover Jay Dee beat for "Barbituates." Joined by Sean P's latest right-hand, Queens veteran and former Mobb Deep affiliate Illa Ghee, as well as Labba and Rim,... Read more

March 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

De La Soul Reunites With J Dilla’s Producerial Essence On A Dope New Song (Audio)

When De La Soul releases ANY new song, it's usually a stop-the-presses moment for the Heads. However, learning that Amityville, Long Island's finest hopped on an unheard J Dilla track to make a song praising the late Jay Dee and his mom, Ma Dukes, is especially incredible. With the radio... Read more

March 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Phife Dawg Honors Dilla In This Endearing Visual To His Jay Dee Tribute (Video)

Just before the 2014 Dilla Day Detroit lineup was announced, Phife Dawg released "Dear Dilla," a touching tribute. After all, in his solo career and earlier, with A Tribe Called Quest, the 5 Foot Assassin was instrumental to getting Jay Dee placements. Since the event last week, Phife Diggy drops... Read more

February 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

How Deep Did J Dilla’s Crates Go? Deep As The Abyss & House Shoes Reminds You (Audio)

From Daft Punk to Steve Miller Band to Aretha Franklin, J Dilla's ears were scanning through a lot of music when it came time to craft his own compositions. That's why, even in his death, Heads are still finding stashes of Dilla's vinyl collection in storage units, stores, and elsewhere.... Read more

February 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

What Would Michael Jackson Sound Like On A J Dilla Beat? J Rocc Got The Answers (Audio)

Years ago, J Rocc, the third member of JayLib, and Dilla's label-mate at Stones Throw Records made "Dill Jackson." The mash-up mixes meshed the worlds of Michael Jackson with Jay Dee. It's not designed to rock a party, or be cute. Rather, The Beat Junkies member took two artists who... Read more

February 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

How’s About Some New Slum Village Over An Unreleased Jay Dee Beat? J Dilla Forever! (Audio)

In honor of 40 years to the day since J Dilla's birth, the donutty treats just keep coming. Slum Village, which presently includes group co-founder T3, as well as (J Dilla's younger brother) Illa J and Young RJ teamed with some unreleased material, in the way of beats and rhymes,... Read more

February 7, 2014 Audio

Happy 40th Birthday to J. Dilla. To Celebrate Here’s J Rocc’s Mind-Blowing 120+ Song Set of Mixes (Audio)

In the last year of his life, J Dilla was getting the mainstream recognition he so deeply deserved. Donuts dropped. He was making thumpers for Common, who was his roommate in L.A. at the time. Dilla deftly balanced major label acceptance with underground royalty, and things seemed to be on... Read more

February 7, 2014 Throwback

2014 Dilla Day Detroit To Include Native Tongues, Slum Village & DJ Premier vs. Pete Rock

From his work with Slum Village to "Fuck The Police," J Dilla helped give Detroit a rhythm throughout the '90s and 2000s. Jay Dee, as Heads first knew him, helped take the sound coming out of the Electronica influence, combined with Soul City sampling, and made artists ranging from De... Read more

January 23, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

A Tribe Called Quest’s Phife Dawg Pens A Letter To J Dilla In Song (Audio)

A Tribe Called Quest played a critical role in the career of J Dilla. Back in his days as Jay Dee, it was Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, and Ali Shaheed that gave some early credits and opportunities to the thump-maker from Detroit, Michigan. By virtue of Dilla Dog's work on Beats,... Read more

January 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

J Dilla’s Music Lives On. Here’s a Full Stream of His Dillatroit Compilation of Rare Grooves (Audio)

The J Dilla Foundation has released a compilation of rare Dilla grooves. Many of these have found their ways to the 'net in various forms but are now available as one official set. You can stream and buy all of Dillatroit below. Related: J. Dilla Brings Out the Best in... Read more

December 17, 2013 Audio

J. Dilla Brings Out the Best in Joey Bada$$ (and So Many Others). Here’s Joey’s Song Two Lips Which Features a Previously Unreleased Dilla Track (Audio)

After rocking on 2 Dilla cuts on his breakthrough mixtape 1999, Joey Bada$$ gets the privilege of flowing over a previously unreleased Dilla beat on his latest, and he steps up to the challenge. Check out Two Lips. Related: Joey Bada$$ Releases Hilary Swank, the Newest Video from Summer Knights... Read more

November 27, 2013 Audio

Phife Dawg Promises MUTTYmopPHosis LP, Names 3 Of His Favorite Diabetics (Video)

While A Tribe Called Quest was in New York City for Kanye West's Yeezus Tour, The Five-Foot Assassin Phife Dawg caught up with OkayPlayer to answers "The Questions." In turn, Phife discusses his regained love for making music on his sophomore solo LP, his favorite J Dilla productions, and his... Read more

November 25, 2013 Fresh, Video

House Shoes Honors J Dilla With King James Version Mixtape, Also On Vinyl (Mixtape)

DJ House Shoes was J Dilla's longtime right-hand-man. Shoes has helped tell Dilla's story of life and music since that tragic day in 2006. Always outspoken, Shoes (who's got impressive catalog in his own right with Danny Brown, Roc Marciano, and Quelle Chris) has also who has and who hasn't... Read more

October 29, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

Common Shines on Another Incredible J. Dilla Beat with Yancey Boys’ Quicksand (Video)

J. Dilla blessed a lot of great artists with his beats over his too short career, but there were some with whom he had a special connection. A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul and, naturally, Slum Village instantly come to mind. He and Common, however, had a mind meld... Read more

October 29, 2013 Video

Yancey Boys, T3 and C-Minus Trade Verses on a Dope Previously Unreleased Dilla Beat on Jeep Volume (Audio)

J. Dilla passed away more than 7 years ago but he lives on through his music. Yancey Boys (Frank Nitt & Dilla's brother Illa J) have unearthed a previously unreleased Dilla production and gone to work on it with C-Minus and Slum Village's T3. The beat sounds like it is... Read more

October 22, 2013 Throwback

Yancey Boys – Quicksand ft Common & Dezi Paige

The J Dilla catalog is never-ending. One of Hip-Hop's most talented musicians recorded at a Tupac-like pace throughout his extensive and dynamic career. Recently, Dilla's younger brother Illa J (now of Slum Village/Dirty Slums) and Frank Nitt (of Frank-N-Dank) took some unreleased, largely unheard Dilla compositions, and got to work... Read more

August 27, 2013 Throwback

J. Dilla – Diamonds (The Shining Pt. 1) (Prod. Nottz)

Here's the fully mastered version of a previously unreleased J. Dilla song that leaked a few years back (unfinished) and was produced by Nottz. Unlike many posthumous releases, this one is truly worthy of the late great artist/producer. Check out Diamonds. Related: J. Dilla – Trucks (Audio)... Read more

August 3, 2013 Audio

DJ Parler: Samplology – The Notorious Chapter + The Dilla Chapter (Mixtapes)

I turned on the radio this morning and my ears were filled with incredible sounds, courtesy of DJ Parler. He has a series called Samplology where he does seamless blends of songs from hip-hop greats with the original samples they used. He takes digging in the crates to a completely... Read more

June 7, 2013 Mixes

J. Dilla – Trucks

J. Dilla was working on an album called The Diary before he passed away. Some tracks from that project have surfaced over the last few weeks and the full project will be released later this year. The latest release is a riff on the 80's hit Cars. You can listen... Read more

April 17, 2013 Audio

J. Dilla – Center of Movement ft 5 ELA & Pierre Anthony (Video) + Proof – Keep It on the Low ft J. Dilla

Here's a double dose of J. Dilla. You can watch a video from The Rebirth of Detroit project for the song Center of Movement and listen to a previously unreleased track from Proof that features Dilla below. Related: Crate Diggers: J. Dilla (Video)... Read more

April 12, 2013 Audio, Video

Trinity (Sadat X, AG & DJ Jab) – Sunshine (Video)

This one slipped through the cracks in the post-SXSW haze. Here's a video from Trinity (Sadat X, AG and DJ Jab) for a song that features a J. Dilla beat. Check out Sunshine. Props: 2DBZ Related: Sadat X – This is Our Thing ft Pharoahe Monch & Phil G (Video)... Read more

April 7, 2013 Video

Crate Diggers: J. Dilla (Video)

Here's a special edition of Fuse's Crate Diggers series. This episode takes a look at the massive vinyl collection of J. Dilla through the eyes of Talib Kweli, J. Rocc, DJ Spinna, Dilla's mom and more. It plays more like a Dilla documentary than a Crate Diggers installment. Check out... Read more

March 20, 2013 Video

AFH: Best Hip-Hop of February 2013 Playlist (Audio)

As we say hello to March, here's a look back at some of the best hip-hop to drop in February. This playlist features music from Redman & Method Man, Tha Dogg Pound & Snoop Dogg, Big K.R.I.T., J. Cole, 50 Cent & Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Ghostface, Raekwon, Action Bronson,... Read more

March 2, 2013 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

J Dilla – Ma Dukes + Anthem ft Frank-N-Dank

Here are two previously unreleased tracks that were produced by J Dilla in the early 2000s (2001-2002). You can listen to "Ma Dukes" and "Anthem" featuring Frank-N-Dank below. Related: AFH tribute to J Dilla (Audio + Video)... Read more

February 11, 2013 Audio

Peter Rosenberg – #DillaPun Mix

Since yesterday marked the anniversary of both J Dilla's birthday and Big Pun's passing, Peter Rosenberg celebrated both legends with a mix dedicated to their music. You can listen to and download the #DillaPun mix below. Related: Big Dilla (Big Pun and J Dilla Tribute Mixtape)... Read more

February 8, 2013 Audio

AFH: J Dilla Tribute

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February 7, 2013 Audio, Featured-homepage, Video

J Dilla – Dewitt to Do It

As we approach Dilla day (the legendary producer's born day is tomorrow, 2/7), some previously unreleased material is surfacing. Here's a song from a soon to be released project called The Lost Scrolls Vol. 1. Check out Dewitt to Do It. Related: Questlove J. Dilla tribute (Video)... Read more

February 6, 2013 Audio

Questlove J. Dilla tribute (Video)

It's never a bad day for some J. Dilla music. Here's an hour long set of Dilla-produced beats spun by the one and only Questlove. Check out the video. Related: Bling47 breaks down J. Dilla’s Dooinit beat (Video)... Read more

November 28, 2012 Audio, Video

J Dilla – Rebirth of Detroit (Full Album Stream)

Here's a full album stream of the upcoming posthumous release of previously unheard Dilla tracks featuring a lot of talent from Dilla's hometown. Check out Rebirth of Detroit. Related: J Dilla - Rebirth of Detroit video preview Here's the tracklist: 1. “The New Installment” (Intro) 2. “Detroit Madness” with Phat... Read more

June 13, 2012 Audio

J Dilla – Detroit Game ft Boldy James & Chuck Inglish (from The Cool Kids)

Here's a previously unreleased track from the mighty J Dilla. It features that patented Dilla dirty funk and vocals from The Cool Kids' Chuck Inglish and Boldy James. Check out Detroit Game from the upcoming new posthumous Dilla project, Rebirth of Detroit. Related: J Dilla - Rebirth of Detroit album... Read more

June 10, 2012 Audio

J. Dilla – Rebirth of Detroit Preview (Video)

If the new Slum Village video made you miss Dilla, this should move you. Some unreleased J. Dilla music is coming soon. The Rebirth of Detroit album featuring 25 Dilla tracks and verses from Danny Brown, Chuck Inglish and more drops on June 12. Here's a video sneak preview for... Read more

May 9, 2012 Video

Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) performs Sunshine Screwface and Quiet Dog (Video)

Here are 2 dope performances by Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) of Sunshine Screwface (performed by J. Dilla) and Quiet Dog. Check out both videos below. Click here for his N*ggas in Poorest video. Sunshine Screwface http://vimeo.com/38084710 Quiet Dog http://vimeo.com/38028615... Read more

March 7, 2012 Video

There is often a lot of backlash when R&B infiltrates hip-hop but what about when hip-hop infiltrates R&B (and not just featured verses)? Here’s a playlist of some dope R&B and soul (Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, TLC, Aaliyah and more) made by some of hip-hop’s finest producers. You’ll hear music produced by Madlib, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Dr. Dre, J Dilla, The Ummah, Kay Gee, Organized Noize, The Neptunes, Kanye West and more. Click below to listen.

Tracklist and production credits are below. Hip-Hop and R&B by Parfit on Grooveshark Here's the tracklist: My Soul Ain't For Sale - Raheem Devaughn (Prod. DJ Jazzy Jeff) The Healer - Erykah Badu (Prod. Madlib) Devil's Pie - D'Angelo(Prod. DJ Premier) Waterfalls - TLC (Prod. Organized Noize) Bullshittin' (Remix) -... Read more

March 3, 2012 Audio, Playlists

Questlove J Dilla Tribute Mix (Mixtape)

There have been a lot of tributes to J Dilla this week due to the anniversaries of both his birth and passing. Questlove dedicated this mix to him today. It features lots of Dilla beats and music from Ghostface, Mos Def, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots and more. You... Read more

February 10, 2012 Audio, Mixes

J Dilla Tributes – Donuts (as performed by the Stray Phrases jazz band) + J Dilla Playlist + Big Dilla Mixtape ft Big Pun over J Dilla Beats

And, let's not forget that today was also J Dilla's birthday. Here's a triple tribute to one of the greatest hip-hop producers of all time. Below you'll find an incredible live jazz band version of Donuts, our playlist of J Dilla produced tracks and a link to a project featuring... Read more

February 7, 2012 Audio, Mixes, Playlists

J Dilla – Clap Your Hands Freestyle

Here's a previously unreleased freestyle from the great J Dilla on one of his patented tracks. Damn, I miss that KNOCK. Check out Clap Your Hands. If you need some more Dilla, check out our Dilla playlist here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KtY5L9G7mA&feature=player_embedded... Read more

February 3, 2012 Audio, Playlists, Video

J Dilla Rebirth of Detroit Chuck Inglish x Boldy James Studio Session (Video)

Rebirth of Detroit an album featuring previously unreleased music from the late great J Dilla will be dropping later this year. Here's a behind the scenes video of The Cool Kids' Chuck Inglish in the studio laying down some verses on one of the tracks and spending some time with... Read more

January 2, 2012 Playlists, Video

Mos Def performs new music that features tracks by Madlib and J. Dilla (Video)

The Mighty Mos Def (soon to be Yasiin Bey…though he’ll always be Mighty) performed some new songs at New York's S.O.B.'s. The tracks were produced by Madlib and J. Dilla (click here for a new song from Immortal Technique that also sports a previously unreleased Dilla beat). In a word--RUGGED.... Read more

October 22, 2011 Video