NEWS
EVENTS
Hip Hop Legend; J Dilla
Friday 10th May 2013 | Osh
This month we’ve decided to go for one of hip hops biggest underdog, known by everyone in the hip hop cycle, but disguised behind the majesties of new school hood rap hip hop. J Dilla; sample pioneer, hip hop legend.
Born James Dewitt Yancey on February 7, 1974, in the factory ridden, motor town of Detroit, Michigan. Dilla was the oldest of his siblings; younger brother John is also a producer/rapper under the name Illa J.
Starting his passion for vinyl as early at two, Dilla formed his first group in high school, it’s worth checking out Slum Village with partners T3 and Baatin.
Dilla stuck with Slum Village throughout their iconic career, always putting beat making first over anything, his ever-growing vinyl collection helped him find samples for ‘the perfect sound’.
By the mid 90’s, Dilla (also known as Jay Dee) was a respected member of hip hop’s society, signing to one of the prestigious labels ever; Stones Throw, where he released his timeless debut Ruff Draft.
Other albums worth checking from Dilla include Donuts, Dillanthology 1,2 & 3, Champion Sound, and The Shining. His joint collabs throughout the times are indescribable, MF DOOM, Madlib, J. Rocc, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul have all worked with the king of samples.
Unfortunately, 2006 brought the demise of Dilla, at the prime age of 32. At first, the confusion behind his sudden death was causing controversy in the hip hop world. Shortly after a press release from Dilla’s mother was released stating Dilla had suffered from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a rare blood disease which basically clots your blood all over your body – pretty deep eh?
Dilla’s legend continues to live on, with ‘Dilla Saved My Life’ parties every year all over the world.
