j. dilla Archives

DJ Premier, Slum Village, Royce Da 5’9″, Rapsody & 9th Wonder To Perform At 2016 J Dilla Weekend

The second annual J Dilla Weekend has been announced. The Miami, Florida extension of Detroit, Michigan's longstanding J Dilla Day will take place on February 5-7, 2016. Hosted by Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey (Dilla's mother), the event continues a rich tradition of celebrating James Yancey's life and music through performances,... Read more

December 21, 2015 Exclusive, News

Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor vs. Common’s Like Water For Chocolate. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

December 16, 2015 Finding the GOAT

A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory vs. The Roots’ Things Fall Apart. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

November 9, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Plug In To J Dilla’s Posthumous Dillatronic Album For A Free, Full Stream

In a seemingly never-ending series of releases, J Dilla's Dillatronic has arrived for full preview. Available for pre-order and releasing Friday (October 30), this collection of beats taps into James Yancey's Electronic sensibilities, from a Detroit, Michigan city largely responsible for impacting the Techno genre. Different than Donuts, these are... Read more

October 26, 2015 Audio

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

Here’s A Gorgeous Mash-Up Of J Dilla, Common, Dwele & Bobby Caldwell (Audio)

Common's enduring love song, "The Light," turned 15 years old earlier this year. The track, which was produced by J Dilla, features a prominent sample of Bobby Caldwell's "Open Your Eyes," from his 1980 Cat in the Hat album. The song also was covered by Dwele in 2008 on his... Read more

September 24, 2015 Audio

J Dilla Blew Speakers Fusing Hip-Hop With Electronic. That’s The Subject Of New Album.

In J Dilla's more than 11 years making music, the Detroit, Michigan producer/MC had a wide range of influences. James Yancey (a/k/a Jay Dee) would make popular records out of sampling artists from The Impressions to Stereolab to Cris Williamson. However, in the Slum Village co-founder's arsenal was a heavy vein of Electronic music.... Read more

September 24, 2015 News

On Its 10 Year Anniversary, Little Brother Remember The Minstrel Show With New Perspective

According to many Hip-Hop Heads, one of the most complete, cohesive Rap albums of the 2000s is Little Brother's The Minstrel Show. Released by Atlantic Records, the LP is a bittersweet moment for its makers and its legions of fans. Ten years ago yesterday (September 13, 2005), 9th Wonder, Phonte,... Read more

September 14, 2015 Throwback

N.W.A. Were Not the Only Ones to Say Eff The Police. J Dilla Did Too…

The life and career of J Dilla (a/k/a Jay Dee) has become something of a legend. The Detroit, Michigan producer/MC made an indelible impact on music in a 10-year run between Fan-Tas-Tic, Vol. 1 and Donuts. With a thumping sound, a steadfast lyrical bravado, and a penchant for looking beyond... Read more

August 26, 2015 Throwback

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

15 Years Later, Common’s “The Light” Remains a Shining Example of Hip-Hop Love

On July 18, 2000, Common released "The Light," and with it came one of Hip-Hop's greatest love songs. Along with Black Star's 1998 track "Brown Skin Lady" and The Roots' breakout 1999 single "You Got Me," "The Light" represented a focus on mutual respect, vulnerability, and a soulful approach to... Read more

July 18, 2015 Food for Thought

Why Wait Till February to Celebrate J. Dilla? Watch This Incredible Video Mix (Video)

February has become the time to pay tribute to J. Dilla because it is the month of the legendary producer's birthday and the anniversary of his death. But, does that mean we can't celebrate his ongoing impact at other times? Nope... Here's an amazing video mix of Dilla-produced music from... Read more

July 5, 2015 Video

Kenny Dope Rocks All Vinyl, From Fred Wesley & The J.B.’s, To J Dilla To Bob James (Mix)

Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez's name does not come up as often as it should. The Brooklyn, New York producer/DJ is one half of Masters At Work. Also known as Nuyorican Soul, the team of Kenny and "Little" Louie Vega remixed Michael Jackson, Madonna, Tito Puente, and Earth, Wind & Fire. Additionally,... Read more

June 28, 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

De La Soul & Slum Village Make Magic Together On A J Dilla Beat (Audio)

While Slum Village was never in the Native Tongues crew, they most certainly were an extension of it. More than 600 miles from New York City, Detroit, Michigan's breakthrough Hip-Hop crew made soulful, sample-savvy music combined with lyrics about buggin' out, keepin' the faith, and strobe light honeys. In the... Read more

June 5, 2015 Audio

Styles P’s Fierce Flow & J Dilla’s Soultastic Beat Make A Musical Marriage (Audio)

In life, Styles P and J Dilla never got to work together. Presumably, the men respected each others' work. Both artists enjoyed big trucks, all-natural mind elevation, and making that knock amidst music that makes you feel weightless. In his weekly series, S.P. The Ghost has been going for some... Read more

June 5, 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

Yasiin Bey Will Perform a Special Tribute to J. Dilla For One Night Only in London (News)

It's been more than 9 years since Hip-Hop lost J. Dilla. Each year in February, Heads celebrate the late great producer and the tributes have extended from Dilla Day to Dilla Weekend. For Yasiin Bey (pka Mos Def), however, who was fortunate enough to be the beneficiary of some of... Read more

April 30, 2015 News

There’s a Reason Why Nas Signed Bishop Nehru. Just Listen (Audio)

Imagine you're an 18-year old up and coming MC and you get the opportunity to work with DOOM...and Nas decides to sign you. Those dreams come true represent just a portion of the good tidings that have come to Bishop Nehru over the last few years. The Rockland County, NY... Read more

March 24, 2015 Audio

Elzhi Offers Up His First Single In Ages. Emotional & Dilla-Related, It’s Worth The Wait (Audio)

There is less than a week left to the month of February. Whether it's been the frigid cold (for some), some depressing headlines, or just the new year's lull, it's a complicated month. Elzhi writes from the moment in "February." The Detroit, Michigan veteran leads into his true Preface follow-up,... Read more

February 24, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): J. Dilla vs. Guru…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

February 23, 2015 Throwback

Joey Bada$$’s J Dilla & The Roots-Produced Cut Gets A DMX-Inspired Visual (Video)

With the Dilla Day spirit on high, Joey Bada$$ unleashes the visual for "Like Me." This is his B4.Da.$$ showpiece, boasting production by The Roots and a posthumous J Dilla credit. With the just-released video, it's especially interesting that Badman quite obviously presents his take on DMX's 1998 breakthrough video... Read more

February 11, 2015 The Bridge

The Beat Junkies Honor J Dilla With A Scorching 2015 Remembrance Mix (Audio)

One of the subtleties that makes Dilla Day (February 10) so special in recent years is majorly due to The Beat Junkies and DJ J. Rocc. The Los Angeles, California DJ, who was the third—often uncredited—member of JayLib, finds new and innovative ways to praise his friend, collaborator, and Stones... Read more

February 10, 2015 Audio

J Dilla, Common & James Poyser Caught On Questlove’s Camera, Working In The Studio (Video)

One of the definitive albums of J Dilla's career was not his own, but rather, Common's Like Water For Chocolate. Comm's first LP out of the No I.D. and Dug Infinite pocket welcomed Jay Dee, Questlove, D'Angelo, James Poyser and the Soulquarians to the mix, along with DJ Premier and... Read more

February 10, 2015 Throwback

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

Raise It Up: Grasping The Entire Greatness Of J Dilla In Retrospect (Food For Thought)

On the heels of the first expanded Dilla Weekend, it is difficult to ignore the growth in posthumous fame that James Yancey (a/k/a Jay Dee or J Dilla) has accrued since passing away on this date, nine years ago. Like Amadeus Mozart's and Vincent Van Gogh's before him, Dilla's legacy... Read more

February 10, 2015 Food for Thought

Ras Kass Joins His Twin Sons, Davincci & SKAM2? For A Nonstop Bar Salute To J Dilla (Audio)

In honor of J Dilla's annual birthday weekends celebration(s), Ras Kass is one artist who joined in on the tributes. Running in some of the same circles back in the late '90s and 2000s, emerging MC Davincci laced "Dilla," a sharp-tongued salute to James Yancey with one of his bouncing... Read more

February 8, 2015 Audio

Celebrate J. Dilla’s Birthday with a Look Back at an Extended Interview of Him (Video)

Happy birthday to J. Dilla, who would have turned 41 years old today. As the world continues to be blessed with a seemingly bottomless treasure trove of Dilla's beats, posthumously, looks back at the the man, himself, are much more rare. So, to celebrate the life of one of Hip-Hop's... Read more

February 7, 2015 Throwback

Celebrate Dilla Weekend From Wherever, With A One-Hour Instrumental Mix (Audio)

February 7 is J Dilla's birthday. The Slum Village co-founder and iconic producer would have been 41 years old today, and Heads are still celebrating his life, his art, and his impact. With Dilla Weekend going down in Miami, and other events in Los Angeles and elsewhere, you can join... Read more

February 7, 2015 Throwback

Detroit Vs. Everybody: How One City Staged a Hip-Hop Takeover (Editorial)

Detroit, Michigan is historically, a fighter’s city. The sharp elbows of the Bad Boy-era Pistons, the unbreakable spirit of the autoworkers through the decline of the industry’s bountifulness, and the cold, harsh conditions of everyday life make for the Great Lakes State to be rugged, never smooth. In the context... Read more

January 24, 2015 Food for Thought

J Dilla’s Donuts Gets The Ultimate 44-Minute Fan-Made Visual Companion (Video)

Besides the posthumously-released "Last Night Of The Donut," J Dilla's 2006 album Donuts was not the kind of album that yielded videos. Stones Throw Records, who are independent greats at making compelling, cool visuals to match their extensive, dynamic discography, let the music do the talking when it came to... Read more

January 18, 2015 Throwback

Joey Bada$$ Rocks His Dilla & Roots-Produced Track With The Roots (Video)

Quite curiously, Joey Bada$$'s debut album, B4.Da.$$ (January 20) includes a track co-produced by The Roots, and the late J Dilla. While the snippets of the Sony Red-distributed LP were promptly pulled from YouTube, many Heads are curious how the Brooklyn, New York millennial would sound alongside the iconic collaboration... Read more

January 14, 2015 Fresh, Video

2015 Dilla Weekend Hits Miami – Madlib, Joey Bada$$, Slum Village & More To Rock

After years of ongoing festivities, Dilla Day has now become Dilla Weekend. The family-sanctioned event honoring late producer/MC James "J Dilla" Yancey (a/k/a Jay Dee) has expanded and relocated to Miami, Florida. On February 5, 6, 7, and 8, the affair will take place in Dade County, with weekend-long tickets... Read more

January 6, 2015 Fresh

5 Things That Made Hip-Hop Proud in 2014 (Food For Thought)

Looking at the culture, 2014 had plenty to offer. In addition to the albums, the mixtapes, the songs, and the videos, there was real action. The year, from the Hip-Hop vantage point, brought everlasting history in some areas, and demanded change in others. The culture, the players, and the people... Read more

December 30, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

With Sounds By The Roots & J Dilla, Preview Snippets Of Joey Bada$$’s B4.Da.$$ (Audio)

Over the weekend, the full artwork, tracklisting and production credits for Joey Bada$$' studio debut, B4.Da.$$ (January 20) were released: 1. Save The Children (prod by Statik Selektah) 2. Greenbax (prod by Lee Bannon) 3. Paper Trails (prod. by DJ Premier) 4. Piece of Mine (prod by Freddie Joachim) 5.... Read more

December 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Pete Rock vs. J. Dilla…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

December 11, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Ever Heard Cookin’ Soul’s Big Pun & J. Dilla Mixtape? You Should…(Mixtape)

Big Pun and J. Dilla share status as Hip-Hop icons. The two also have a significant date in common: February 7th is Dilla's birthday and the day Pun passed away. One connection Pun and Dilla did not have was working on a record together. A few years ago, the production... Read more

December 7, 2014 Mixes

Finding The GOAT: Elzhi vs. Blu…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

November 18, 2014 Fresh

After Nas Sets Things Off, AZ Tries His Hand At Rhyming On J Dilla’s Donut (Audio)

Old friends, AZ and Nas watch each other's moves. As Nasir stole Hip-Hop's attention last week by taking one of J Dilla's 2006 Donuts beats, and coming up with "The Seasons," Tha Visualiza wanted in. AZ made his own rendition of "The Seasons," cuing up Jay Dee's "Gobstopper" instrumental. As... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Nas Is Recording Over J Dilla Donuts Beats. Now In CDQ (Video/Audio)

Nasty Nas is a rebel to convention. Since investing a stake in Mass Appeal (the magazine), the Queens icon has been making some really interesting, Hip-Hop culturally-minded moves. Deeply involved in Mass Appeal Records, Nas reportedly hand-picked signings of Fashawn, Bishop Nehru, and Boldy James...three artists that have been making... Read more

October 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Common & J Dilla’s The Light Was Part Of The Love Movement. Get The Backstory (Video)

Common's career took a tremendous turn on 2000's Like Water For Chocolate. At the perceived pinnacle of the Okay Player artist movement, Common and MCA Records made what is rarely considered the MC's best album, but may very well be his most important. Transitioning from the critical acclaim of 1997's... Read more

September 18, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

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

GQ Calls Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy The Best Album Of The 21st Century

GQ recently revealed their 21 best albums of the 21st Century that includes some of the biggest names in Hip-Hop and R&B. The man at the top of their list may be no surprise, but the album of choice could be. Selecting Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy as... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh

For The First Time, Hear J. Dilla & Phat Kat’s – Detroit’s Finest EP Snippets (Audio)

Back in 1996 and 1997, Slum Village was not the only group that occupied the time belonging to J. Dilla (then known as Jay Dee). Dilla had established a longstanding partnership with fellow Detroit MC, Phat Kat. Known as 1st Down, the pair inked a contract with Payday Records (Jeru... Read more

July 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

J. Dilla is Being Formally Recognized by The Smithsonian as the National Treasure He Is (Video)

Salute to J. Dilla. While Hip-Hop has long celebrated the late producer/MC as a treasure, he is now also being formally recognized as such on a national level by The Smithsonian Museum. Dilla's beat equipment will be put on display at the Smithsonian's new museum of African American History &... Read more

July 18, 2014 Video

Ever Heard of Bob Power? He’s Worked on Some of the Best Hip-Hop & Soul Albums Ever. Here’s His Story (Audio)

For more than 30 years, Bob Power has been one of the unsung heroes of Hip-Hop, R&B and Soul. The producer, engineer and composer has worked with many of the most respected and influential artists during that time period, including A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, Stetsasonic,... Read more

July 9, 2014 Audio

J Dilla’s Music Lives On In Latest Slum Village Cut, We On (Audio)

It's been 8 years since tragedy struck the Hip-Hop world and Detroit based group Slum Village when music producer extraordinaire, J Dilla, passed away as a victim to lupus. Despite his passing, Dilla's music continues to live on in the community, and today Slum Village drops another Dilla soundscape with... Read more

July 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh