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2013 the year for Dilla re-releases
RnB/Hip Hop | Friday 14th June 2013 | jim
J Dilla is arguably the greatest hip hop artist that there has ever been and quite possibly ever will. His list of productions is seemingly endless and every single one is unique and something that any other producer would be raising the roof about. Unfortunately in 2006 J Dilla, or James Dewitt Yancey, past away because of a blood disease - thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. He worked for a huge amount of big names such as A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Busta Rhymes, MF Doom, The Pharcyde and Common, and his production defines what is good about hip hop music.
2013 though has been the year for posthumous J Dilla releases including the previously unheard Music From the Lost Scrolls Vol.1, Moodyman’s Lost Tapes collection, and the forthcoming album, The Diary. J Dilla’s mother Ma Dukes has even sold some of Dilla’s records on eBay.
In 2012 Rebirth of Detroit was the first record to be released on Ma Duke’s Ruff Drafy imprint, and it featured lyrics from Danny Brown, Phat Kat, and J Dilla’s brother Illa J on the mic. Earlier in April of this year the tracks were pressed to vinyl and feature beats spanning a decade of Dilla’s work “from Slum Village to Donuts.” This album is now out.
Listen to the album below:
However, another album is also set for release, although this time, just a rerelease. J Dilla’s excellent Yancey Boys Instruments collection is going to be released again for anyone who missed it first time round.
Back in 2008 Dilla’s brother Illa J found a load of previously unheard Dilla instrumentals and record himself over the top. The result was Yancey Boys, and a following instrumental album was later released.
If you love Dilla and missed the original release then you’re in luck as the vinyl has been repressed, letting the lovely Dilla beats flow on their lonesome.
All we need now is the Dilla vocal album 'The Diary' to come out.
Jim Roberts
