Illa J ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Finding The GOAT Group: Slum Village vs. Jedi Mind Tricks. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to... Read more

April 18, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Illa J’s Music Enjoys A Rebirth Right Alongside His City (Video)

Illa J has made plenty of meaningful music over the last 13 years. The Yancey Boys co-founder has rapped and produced, and maintained a strong legacy in his older brother's (J Dilla) absence. However, like so many blood relations in the music industry, Illa battled comparisons to his legendary late... Read more

July 25, 2017 Video

Illa J Welcomes Listeners Into His & J Dilla’s Childhood Home (Video)

Detroit, Michigan’s own Illa J, younger brother of J Dilla, is dropping his third solo studio album Home on Jakarta Records later this month. He has released a fittingly personal video for the project’s title track, shot on the steps of the Yancey boys’ childhood home. Illa J’s Latest is... Read more

June 8, 2017 Video

One Of Phife Dawg’s Final Recordings Releases & It’s Trademark Malik (Audio)

At the close of the '90s, A Tribe Called Quest would go on an extensive recording hiatus. Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad would all pursue solo and side interests. For Phife, that was Ventilation: Da LP. Released on Groove Attack Records in 2000, "the 5 Foot Assassin" would... Read more

August 10, 2016 Audio

Frank Nitt, Illa J & J. Rocc Get Animated For That One True Love (Video)

It's been several months since Detroit MC and Los Angeles transplant Frank Nitt released Frankie Rothstein, and now his latest single has come to life in the form of a creatively delivered video. "Slippin" is a love song, particularly for those who are already in love and realizing how much... Read more

October 23, 2015 Video

Illa J’s Latest is an Exercise in Musical Exploration…& It Works (Album Stream)

Today marks the release date for Illa J's self-titled album, his latest solo effort and the first since his 2008 debut, Yancey Boys. That album introduced him to Heads as a gifted MC and sometimes singer, one who is eager both to celebrate his family legacy but also cultivate a... Read more

October 2, 2015 Audio

Illa J Celebrates His Big Brother’s Memory & Reclaims J Dilla’s Spirit as His Own (Audio)

On October 2, Illa J will be releasing his second solo album, the first since his 2008 debut, Yancey Boys. A move to Montreal, some time spent touring with Slum Village, and the ongoing pursuit of his own music in the wake of his older brother's 2006 passing has culminated... Read more

August 24, 2015 Audio

Illa J & His Booming Sound Are Versed In The Art Of Sidewalk Seduction (Video)

Illa J raps, he produces, and now he's trying to veer into new territory. "Universe" is J Dilla's younger brother's latest single. The Detroit, Michigan native applies that booming bounce into a seductive Dance/R&B track. For the video, one half of the Yancey Boys beckons a female with his beat... Read more

August 9, 2015 Video

Slum Village, J Dilla & Bilal Know What Love Is…It’s Hip-Hop (Video)

Slum Village's recently-released YES! album truly is an affirmation. T3 and Young RJ manifest the Villa destiny with nine tracks featuring the late J Dilla's (and group co-founder) handiwork. "Love Is" is one such highlight, including the unmistakable vocals of Bilal, as well as former full-time S.V. member, Illa J.... Read more

July 21, 2015 Video

Out Of This World: Get Your Space Boogie On With Illa J’s New Single (Audio)

In a newly re-invigorated drive to continue his solo career, Illa J has embarked on new paths, both figuratively and musically. Now living in Montreal, the 28-year-old rapper spent the several years after the 2008 release of his solo debut, Yancey Boys, performing and touring with Slum Village, the Detroit-based... Read more

June 23, 2015 Audio

Slum Village’s YES! Completes The Circle With 9 J Dilla Productions (Album Stream)

One week early, Slum Village is sharing their eighth studio full-length, YES!. Founding S.V. member T3, along with trusted production confidant Young RJ (who came to the collective in the early 2000s with Black Milk as BR Gunna) made an album that follows the Villa's journey. Late co-founding member of... Read more

June 11, 2015 Audio

Slum Village’s Latest Dilla-Produced Joint Is Hot Like A Day At The Beach (Video)

Detroit, Michigan is a Midwest Motor City that's often portrayed as cold, gray, and with lake-effect wind. For 20 years, Slum Village has been making feel-good, radiating music that warms the ear-buds, the heart, and the speakers. For the J Dilla-produced "Expressive," T3, Illa J and Young RJ (a previous... Read more

June 1, 2015 Video

Slum Village Find That Fan-Tas-Tic J Dilla Knock, Serenading The Ladies (Audio)

Slum Village's new single “Expressive” gives Heads a lot to look forward to with their new album Yes! (June 16). The tune features a previously unreleased J Dilla production, with two more on the album (from the seemingly endless supply). It's a bittersweet reunion for T3 with his his co-founder, as... Read more

May 12, 2015 Audio

Moka Only & Illa J Team Up To Deliver A Smooth Jam For The Ladies (Audio)

Today (May 8) Moka Only released a new album called Chicken Wingz on Self Serve Records, the first release on the newly formed, Vancouver-based label. The lead single from the album features label mate Illa J rapping with Moka on a smooth, relaxing, J Dilla-esque production called "Freak Ya Heart... Read more

May 8, 2015 Audio

Illa J Releases An Anthem For The Late Night Listeners (Audio)

Slum Village/Yancey Boys alum Illa J released a single, "Strippers." The Detroit, Michigan native (and California transplant) crafts a song about what the title implies...and it is a catchy tune that is sure to generate some buzz in and out of the cabaret club. The production is handled by Potatohead... Read more

April 14, 2015 Audio

Slum Village Shock the System with the Visuals for E(I)GO (Video)

On the heels of Dilla Weekend, Slum Village release the video for "E(I)GO." T3, Illa J, and Young RJ and guest Rosewood 2055 carry on tradition for the group started by the late producer and artist. The black and white video features the group members interspersed with provocative images, including... Read more

February 11, 2015 Video

9 Years Since J Dilla Left Us, Frank Nitt & Slum Village Have A Timely Message (Video)

Nine years to the day since James Yancey left us, Frank-N-Dank's Frank Nitt (f/k/a Frank Nitti) drops the visual for a tie-in song. "Money On Mind," joined by his Yancey Boys cohort Illa J (Dilla's brother) as well as Jay Dee's Slum Village cofounder, T3, the record looks at how... Read more

February 10, 2015 Video

Slum Village Wax A Futuristic Sound For E(I)GO, Announce Next Album Guests (Audio)

Hitting the road as of this coming Dilla Weekend, Slum Village is feeling themselves. T3, Illa J, and Young RJ welcome Rosewood 2055 for "E(I)GO." The song all about swingin' some elbows at the haters is slowed down, keeping the brass involved, with that signature flow. Since 2005's self-titled LP,... Read more

February 5, 2015 Audio

Pete Rock & Slum Village Announce A Bunch Of 2015 Tour Dates Together

Collaborators since 2000's Fantastic, Vol. 2, Pete Rock and Slum Village are going on the road together. The influential Mount Vernon, New York MC/producer/DJ joined by T3, Illa J, and Young RJ have announced more than 25 United States dates, beginning February 7, with an appearance (both acts) at Dilla... Read more

January 22, 2015 Fresh

The Yancey Boys & Slum Village Heat It Up (Audio)

The J Dilla family tree is real. Slum Village-meets-Yancey Boys on "Global Warming." Illa J, who has spent time in both groups, joins Jay Dee's longtime homie Frank Nitti, as well as T3 in the song produced by Young RJ. With banging natural drums, some smooth autobiographical raps from each... Read more

August 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Pete Rock, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Pharoahe Monch & More Remember J. Dilla As He Enters The Smithsonian

Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey recently sat down with The Huffington Post to discuss her son, the late J. Dilla, and his recent enshrinement into The Smithsonian alongside his signature beat making equipment. m, In it, the affectionately nicknamed Ma Dukes highlighted their musically inclined family, his early experiences with instruments,... Read more

August 13, 2014 Fresh

Revisit J. Rawls Crate Diving Beginnings In Queen City (Audio)

Cincinnati, Ohio producer/MC J. Rawls takes a glance into his early crate digging past in his latest single, "The Rest of My Life." Taking his story back to the Queen City, the Lone Catalysts co-founder relives his early career days of "making jams everyday with Dose One and Holmskillit," and... Read more

May 7, 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

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

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

Slum Village Makes A New Orleans-Inspired Sequel To Let It Go (Video)

Slum Village shoots a lot of videos in the last three years. So much so, that they made a second look at "Let It Go." They pull a reverse Reggie Bush, and go from Detroit to New Orleans to bring some Mitten flavor to the bayou. Evolution is making its... Read more

November 13, 2013 Fresh, Video

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

Slum Village – Let It Go / Greatness (Video)

Few Hip-Hop groups have faced more hardship than Slum Village. J Dilla and Baatin have passed away well-before their times. Elzhi left on difficult terms with management, as did makeshift member/B.R. Gunna-part Black Milk left and found tremendous solo success. Now with founding member T3, Dilla's brother Illa J, and... Read more

October 8, 2013 Fresh, Video

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