the great 1

Great

Genius

Innovative

Visionary

Sometimes people throw these words out when they speak of others. The descriptions are vastly unfounded. Not this time. These words accurately describe the late James Yancey...aka J Dilla aka Jay Dee.

He was one of the music industry's most influential hip-hop artists, working for big-name acts like A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Busta Rhymes and Common. J Dilla became highly regarded, most notably for the production of critically acclaimed albums by Common, Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest, The Pharcyde, Janet Jackson, and Erykah Badu. He was a member of Slum Village and produced their acclaimed debut album Fan-Tas-Tic (Vol. 1) and their follow-up Fantastic, Vol. 2.

Jay Dee was born on February 7, 1974. He lived for...and bled for hip hop. Unfortunately, J Dilla died from lupus on February 10, 2006, three days after his 32nd birthday and the release of his final album Donuts. He was taken from us far too soon. He was a gift to hip hop. Long before there was a Kanye West, there was J Dilla. I miss him and his music. He lives on.

Just press 'PLAY'

Happy Birthday, J Dilla




*repost from 2-7-11*

gimmedatbeat

Dope beats...dope rhymes...what more do y'all want?

A young LL Cool J told you that he needed a beat

Don't we all?

When it comes to hip hop, most people hear the beat long before they hear the song. That's natural. Hip hop beats are so distinctive. They run through you. They move you. They make you move. Some of the songs with the dopest beats often intrigue me. I wonder if the lyrics came before the beats. Or if the beats inspired the lyrics.

When I think of some of the best beat makers in hip hop...a few names come to mind...

Jay Dilla (RIP)

Dr. Dre

Timbaland

DJ Premier

Neptunes

Just to name a few.

When I hear a beat like the beat from Biggie's song Dead Wrong...my head starts knocking. But that's just one beat.

What about you? What beat moves you?

Who are some of your favorite hip hop producers?