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Hip-Hop Producer Jay Dilla Has Passed Away


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http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/8330

Hip-Hop producer/MC Jay Dee, also known as J Dilla, has reported passed away earlier today (February 10) in a hospital in Los Angeles, due to liver complications.

The beatmaker has been sick for an unspecified amount of time. His latest album, Donuts, was released earlier this week.

Dilla, who was a founding member of Slum Village and a member of A Tribe Called Quest's production team The Ummah, is best known for producing tracks for Busta Rhymes, Common, De La Soul, D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, and The Pharcyde.

Dilla has more recently worked with Ghostface Killah, Kanye West on Com's critically acclaimed album Be, as well as Champion Sound with fellow quirky producer Madlib.

Besides Donuts, he released another solo LP, Welcome To Detroit, in 2001, and has another album dropping later this year on Stones Throw Records.

Longtime fan Pharrell of The Neptunes, has gone on record calling Dilla one of his "favorite producers of all time."

Jay Dee will be sorely missed. SOHH will be sure to provide you with more information as it becomes available.

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I can't believe this. Jay Dee waz seriously one of Hip-Hop producers ever. I got in 2 him in the mid-90's thru' A Tribe Called Quest. I can't believe he's just gone. His friends and family are in my prayers. Jeff waz good friends with him.

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It's always sad when we lose good people... Rest In Peace...

~cookie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~````

J. DILLA: Donuts

by Jason Burleson, Abroad Freelancer Extraordinaire

1138254633_jdilla.jpg

Detroit is one of those cities impossible to label. It was once one of the largest manufacturing cities in the world, mainly due to producing automobiles, but by 1970 things changed. One of the most industrialized cities in the world began to de-industrialize as factory after factory fled, failed, or burned to the ground. Over 50,000 vacant lots, and hundreds of abandoned factories now cover the city. The industrial apocalyptic scenery is what gave birth to techno in the mid-80s by the likes of Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson. Naturally this harsh, mechanically cold music fit the decaying city perfectly. Detroit techno, and releases from nearby Ann Arbor label Ghostly International, still play an integral part for the citizens of Detroit – black, white, Latino, or Asian. But the rise of Detroit hip-hop can be attributed to one man- J Dilla. The super producer began making noise as part of The Ummah crafting beats for A Tribe Called Quest among others. He also worked with Slum Village and the legendary Soulquarions squad with ?uestlove, while his work on Common’s best record Be affirmed his status as one of the best producers ever in hip-hop.

Normally instrumental hip-hop albums are extremely boring without the help of an MC pushing the beat to its limits, but there are examples of instrumental genius such as DJ Shadow and RJD2. Dilla can now add his name to the list by creating one of the most interesting albums, not just instrumental, I’ve heard in a long time with Donuts. The opener, “Workinonit,” with its off-time beat, guitar riffs, and sirens floating in to mix with a tambourine over the snare is the longest tack to be found here sitting at 2:57. The second longest track “Don’t Cry” comes in at 1:59. Dilla leaves no time for the listener to get bored. Donuts resembles what it would be like to randomly flip through Detroit radio where Dilla is in charge of programming for every radio station. Many of the tracks are smothered in soul, which Dilla is known for, but these tracks are also some of the most experimental things he’s ever done.

As mentioned earlier, Detroit is influenced by electronic music at least to some degree. It’s in Detroit’s blood and the framework of the city. Dilla’s Donuts finally shows that electronic music has affected him as well – a side-effect that isn’t that odd for a hip-hop producer. Timbaland has frequently referenced his love for drum and bass in the press and in his music. The Neptunes have always flirted with electronic music in their productions. “People” utilizes nothing more than a simple tribal beat over some conga drums with a female vocal laid purposely low in the overall mix of the track. The key ingredient to this mini-masterpiece are the effects placed over the entire track, which resembles a human breathing out of the speakers. It’s been said that some of this album was made in the hospital with a portable sound system, turntable, sampler, and vinyl friends would carry in and out while visiting him. They must’ve had him on some really good painkillers during his stay in the hospital. Some of the most tripped out psychedelic tracks “The Twister (Huh, What),” “Geek Down,” and “Factory” are clearly a result of some very potent medication. You probably don’t want to hear this, but MF Doom would’ve sounded incredible over the aforementioned beats, but an appearance from Doom is clearly not needed on Donuts.

It’s a hip-hop album - without MCs - that at times has hints of 70s soul. It’s also an experimental collection of electronic music. This is an absolute must for Dilla fans as it allows you a brief look into the mind of the superstar producer that routinely shies away from the spotlight in order to let his music do the talking. So what’s up with the title you may ask? It’s simple – Dilla likes doughnuts. The Stones Throw label has crafted yet another winner and only one month into 2006, Dilla has already made hip-hop exciting.

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Edited by 3cookies
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He died last night, he apparently had liverproblems.

Man I had tears in my eyes when I heard that. He's one of the best producers ever. Listen to Commons early stuff, those beats are 10 years ahead of the game.

He was up there with Pete Rock, Premier, Jazzy and all the other greats.

The last **** he dropped was 3 beats on Commons - Be.

He's gone have a couple beats on Ghostface's new album Fishscale.

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Damn he really put in a lot of work, he'll be missed:

JAY DEE / J DILLA DISCOGRAPHY (incomplete)

Artist Titles (As Producer and/or MC):

1st Down - No Place To Go 12" single 1993

1st Down - A Day Wit The Homiez 12" Single 1995 (Pay Day Records)

Slum Village - Fan-Tas-Tic 12" single 1996

Slum Village - Fan-Tas-Tic (Vol. 1) CD/LP 1996 (Donut Boy Recordings) 1997 (Sudden Impact)

Slum Village - We Be Down 12" single 1997 (Sudden Impact)

Jay Dee - Jay Dee Unreleased (Remixes) 12" EP 1997 (House Shoes Records)

Slum Village - Somethin' For The People, All I Do (Remix) from "All I Do" 12" single 1997 (WB)

Slum Village - Fantastic Vol. 2 CD/LP 2000 (Goodvibe) 2002 (Capitol)

J-88 - Look Of Love (Remix) 12" single 1999 (Groove Attack)

J-88 - Best Kept Secret 12" EP 2000 (Groove Attack)

Jay Dee - **** The Police/Move, feat. Frank N Dank 12" single 2001 (Up Above)

Jay Dee feat. Frank-N-Dank - Pause 12" single 2001 (BBE)

Jay Dee - Welcome 2 Detroit CD/LP 2001 (BBE)

1st Down - A Day Wit The Homiez CD 2002 (RonnieCash.com)

Jay Dee - Instrumental Series Vol 1 12" EP 2002 (Bling47.com)

Jay Dee feat. Frank N Dank - Take Dem Clothes Off/Off Ya Chest 12" single 2002 (ABB)

Jaylib - The Message from Stones Throw Summer 2002 12" EP (Stones Throw)

Jay Dee -Instrumental Series Vol.2: Vintage 2003 CD/LP (Bling47.com)

Jay Dee - Ruff Draft 12" EP 2003 (Mummy/Groove Attack)

Jaylib - The Red/The Official 12" single 2003 (Stones Throw)

Jaylib - Champion Sound/Strip Club 12" single 2003 (Stones Throw)

Jaylib - Champion Sound CD/LP 2003, and Champion Sound Instrumentals LP 2004 (Stones Throw)

Jaylib - Raw Addict/Ice 12" single 2003 (Stones Throw)

Jaylib - McNasty Filth/Pillz 12"/CD single 2004 (Stones Throw)

Jaylib - Blaze Up, The Mission (Remix) from Stones Throw 101 Mix CD 2004 (Stones Throw)

Jaylib - Pop**** from Stones Throw 100 12" EP 2004 (Stones Throw)

J Dilla - Welcome 2 Detroit Instrumentals CD/LP 2005 (BBE)

J Dilla - Donuts: The EP 12" EP 2005 (Promotional)

J Dilla - Donuts CD/LP 2006

MC only:

Tami Hert - If You Were Mine (Detroit Demolition Mix) from "If You Were Mine" 12" single 1997 (550 Music)

v/a - Fight Club, feat. Dilla, Nottz & Boogie from "Best Kept Secret Mix" CD 2003 (Bling47.com)

Dabrye - Game Over 12" single 2004 (Ghostly International)

Wale Oyejide - There's A War Going On 12" single 2004 (Shaman Work)

Wale Oyejide - There's A War Going On from "One Day, Everything Changed" CD/LP 2004 (Shaman Work)

Slum Village - Reunion from "Detroit Deli" CD/LP 2004 (Barak/Capitol)

Pete Rock - Niggaz Know from "Soul Survivor II" CD/LP 2004 (Rapster /BBE)

v/a - Do Your Thang, Stupid from "BR Gunna Presents Dirty District Vol. 2" CD 2004 (Barak)

Phat Kat - Door from "The Undeniable LP" (New Version) CD/LP 2004 (Barak)

Lawless Element - Love (feat. Jay Dilla) 2005

Platinum Pied Pipers - Act Like You Know feat J Dilla 12" single 2005 (Ubiquity)

Platinum Pied Pipers - Shotgun, Act Like You Know from Triple P CD/LP 2005 (Ubiquity)

Sa-Ra - Thrilla feat. J Dilla 12" single 2005 (Sound in Color)

Diamond - We Gangstas from Diamond Mine CD 2005

Platinum Pied Pipers - Shotgun (Remix) from 12" single 2005 (Ubiquity)

Production Credits (by year):

1994-1995

Da Enna C - NOW from "Throw Ya Hands In Da Air" 12" single 1994 (Up Top)

Little Indian - One Little Indian 12" single 1995 (Premeditated)

Poe - Fingertips from "Hello" CD/LP 1995 (WEA / Atlantic)

1996

5-Elementz - Whutchawant, Feed Back, Rockshows, Party Groove, Janet Jacme, E.G.O., Don't Stop, Searchin from "The Album Time Forgot" cassette 1996 (That Was Entertainment)

A Tribe Called Quest - 1nce Again, Get A Hold, Keeping It Moving, Stressed Out, Word Play from "Beat, Rhymes, & Life" CD/LP 1996 (Jive Records)

Busta Rhymes - Keep It Movin', Still Shinin' from "The Coming" CD/LP 1996 (Elektra)

Busta Rhymes - Woo-Hah!! (Jay-Dee Bounce Remix), Woo-Hah!! (Jay-Dee Other **** Remix) 12" single 1996 (Elektra)

Busta Rhymes - It's a Party (Ummah Remix), Ill Vibe (Ummah Remix) 12" single 1996 (Elektra)

De La Soul - Stakes Is High from "Stakes Is High" CD/LP 1996 (Tommy Boy)

De La Soul - Stakes Is High (Remix) from Itzsoweezee 12" single 1996 (Tommy Boy)

Mad Skillz - It's Going Down, The Jam from "From Where???" 1996 (Big Beat)

Kieth Murray - The Rhyme (Remix), Dangerous Ground from "Enigma" 1996 (Jive)

Natives Of Da Underground - Pack Da Hous/Brotha's Juss Don't Know/Whatcha Gonna Do? 12" single 1996 (ALR)

Phife Dawg - Game Day from "NFL Jams" 1996 (Castle)

Proof - Da Science from "Detroit Hip Hop Volume 1" 1996 Modern Tribe

Proof - Vibe Session from "Anywhere" 12" single 1996 (Hip Hop Shop)

Tha Pharcyde - Runnin', Bull****, Splatittorium, Somethin' That Means Somethin', Drop, Y? from "Labcabincalifornia" CD/LP 1996 (Delicious Vinyl)

1997

5-Elementz - Sun Flower from "Yester Years" 12" EP 1997 (That Was Entertainment)

A Tribe Called Quest - Get A Hold, Mardi Gras At Midnight from "Jam" EP 1997 (Jive Records)

Brand New Heavies - Sometimes (Ummah Remix) from "Sometimes" 12" single 1997 (Delicious Vinyl)

Busta Rhymes - So Hardcore from "When Disaster Strikes" CD/LP 1997 (Elektra)

Crustation - Purple (ATCQ Edit) 12" single 1997 (Zomba)

Janet Jackson - Got Til It's Gone (Ummah Jay Dee Revenge Mix) 12" single 1997 (Virgin)

T Da Pimp - Why You Lookin Hard?/We Knowwe Rockit 12" single 1997 (Penmp)

Tha Pharcyde - She Said (Remix) 12" single 1997 (Delicious Vinyl)

Tha Pharcyde - Runnin (Remix), Y? (Remix) from "Drop" 12" single 1997 (Delicious Vinyl)

Truz - True Dawgs/Routes To Hell 12" single 1997 (Ad Fam)

1998

A Tribe Called Quest - 4 Moms, Against The World, Busta's Lament, Da Booty, Find A Way, His Name Is Mutty Ranks, Start It Up, Steppin' It Up from "The Love Movement" CD/LP 1998 (Jive Records)

A Tribe Called Quest - That **** from "Funkmaster Flex Vol. 3" 1998 (Loud Records)

Bizarre - Butterfly from Attack of the Wierdos 12" EP 1998 (Federation)

Mood - Secrets Of The Sand (Remix) from "Snake Backs" 12" single 1998 (Blunt)

N'Dea Davenport - Bull****tin (Remix) from "N'Dea Davenport" CD/LP 1998 (V2)

1999

5 Ela - You Ain't Fresh, Ain't No Love from 5-E Pt. 3 1999 (That Was Entertainment)

Brand New Heavies - Saturday Night (Jay Dee Remix) from "Saturday Night" 12" single 1999 (Delicious Vinyl)

Heavy D - Listen from "Heavy" CD/LP 1999 (Universal)

Macy Gray - I Try (Remix) 12" single 1999 (Epic)

Nine Yards - Always Find A Way (Remix) 12" single 1999 (Virgin)

Phat Kat - Dedication To The Suckers 12" single 1999 (House Shoes Recordings)

Phife Dawg - Bend Ova/Thought U Wuz Nic 12" single 1999 (Groove Attack)

Que D - Underestimated, Supa ****, Kilo, Cash Flow, Michelle, Rock Box, Don't Stop from "Quite Delicious" cassette 1999 and "Que D Limited Edition" CD 2003 (Royal Flyness)

Q-Tip - 11 tracks from "Amplified" CD/LP 1999 (Arista)

The Roots - Dynamite from Things Fall Apart CD/LP 1999 (MCA)

The Roots - New Year's @ Jay Dee's from "You Got Me" CD single 1999 (MCA)

Zooco - Butterfly from "Glow-Mellow-Flow" CD/LP 1999? (Columbia Japan)

2000

Black Star - Little Brother from "The Hurricane (Soundtrack)" CD/LP 2000 (MCA)

Brand New Heavies - Sometimes (Remix), Saturday Night (Remix) from "Trunk Funk Classics" CD/LP 2000 (Delicious Vinyl)

Busta Rhymes - Enjoy Da Ride, Live It Up, Show Me What You Got from "Anarchy" CD/LP 2000 (Elektra)

Common - 10 tracks from "Like Water For Chocolate" CD/LP 2000 (MCA)

Common - The Light (Remix) from "Bamboozled (Soundtrack)" 2000 (Motown)

D'Angelo - various tracks from Voodoo CD/LP 2000 (Virgin)

De La Soul - Thru Ya City from "Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump" CD/LP 2000 (Tommy Boy)

Erykah Badu - Cleva, My Life, Didn't Cha Know, Kiss Me On My Neck from "Mama's Gun CD/LP 2000 (Motown)

Frank N Dank - Me & My Man/Love (A Thing Of The Past) 12" single 2000 (McNasty)

Frank N Dank - Everybody Get Up/Give It Up Pt. 2 12" single 2000 (McNasty)

Guru feat. Bilal - Certified from "Guru's Jazzmatazz Street Soul" CD/LP 2000 (Virgin)

Innerzone Orchestra - People Make The World Go Round (J-88 Mix) - 12" single 2000 (Planet E)

Phife Dawg - Bend Ova, 4 Horseman from "Ventilation: Da LP" CD/LP 2000 (Groove Attack)

Phife Dawg - Ya Heard Me from "Definition of Ill Compilation" 2000 bootleg

Royce Da 5'9" - Let's Grow from "Lyricist Lounge Volume 2" CD/LP 2000 (Rawkus)

Spacek - Eve (Remix) 12" single 2000 (Blue)

2001

Bahamadia- One-4-Teen (Remix) from "Summer Sampler" CD 2001 (Goodvibe)

Bilal - Reminisce from "1st Born Second LP" CD/LP 2001 (Interscope)

Busta Rhymes - Genesis, Make It Hurt from "Genesis" CD/LP 2001 (Elektra)

Chino XL - Don't Say A Word from "I Told You So" CD/LP 2001 (Metro Records)

De La Soul - Peer Pressure (Intro & Outro Monologues by Jay Dee) from AOI: Bionix CD/LP 2001 (Tommy Boy)

Lucy Pearl - Without You (Remix) 12" single 2001 (Pookie/Virgin)

Mos Def - Can U C The Pride In The Panther? (Remix) 12" Single 2001 (Interscope)

Que D - In Yo Face from "Still Bangin" 12" single 2001 (Up Above) and "Que D Limited Edition" CD 2003 (Royal Flyness)

Toshi Kubota - Nothin But Your Love (Remix) 12" single 2001 (Epic)

2002

Big Tone - Party Crasher (mixed by Jay Dee) from Party Crasher 12" Antidote 2002

Busta Rhymes - It Ain't Safe No More, What Up, Turn Me Up Some from "It Ain't Safe No More..." CD/LP 2002 (Elektra)

Common - various production & instrumental credits from "Electric Circus" CD/LP 2002 (MCA)

DJ Jazzy Jeff - Are You Ready (with Slum Village) from "The Magnificent" 12" EP 2002 (BBE)

Frank N Dank - Push 12" EP 2002 (Mummy / Groove Attack)

Phat Kat - Dedication To The Suckers, Don't Nobody Care About Us, Microphone Master, Big Booties, World Premier from "Dedication To The Suckers" LP/CD 2002 (RonnieCash.com)

Slum Village - Hoes, Let's, One from "Trinity" CD/LP 2002 (Capitol)

Talib Kweli - Where Do We Go, Stand To The Side from "Quality" CD/LP 2002 (Rawkus)

2003

ASD (Afrob & Samy Deluxe) - Komm Schon from "Wer Hatte Das Gedacht?" CD/LP 2003 (Eimsbush)

ASD (Afrob & Samy Deluxe) - Wenn Ihr Fuhlt... from "Hey Du" 12" EP 2003 (Eimsbush)

Common - Come Close "Remix" (Closer) 12" single 2003 (MCA)

De La Soul - Much More/Shoomp 12" single 2003 (AOI)

Fourtet - As Serious As Your Life (Remix) 12" single 2003 Domino

Frank N Dank - 48 Hours CD 2003 (Bootleg)

Vivian Green - Fanatic (Remix) 12" Single 2003 (Sony)

Phat Kat - Dedication 2004, Destiny, Big Booties from "The Undeniable LP: Detroit Edition" CD/LP 2003 Barak Records

Que D - Supa **** 12" single 2003 (Royal Flyness)

Royce Da 5'9" - Life Goes On from "Build & Destroy: Lost Sessions Part 1" 2003 (Trouble Records)

Subtitle - Mark Luv Mixtape Song from "Greatest Hi$$" CD 2003 (Marks03 Recordings)

T-Love - When You're Older, Who Smoked Sunshine, Chiquita, Long Way Back from "The Long Way Back" 2003 (Pickininny)

2004

5 Ela - Scenario 2004 from "The EP" 2004 (5 Elements)

Amp Fiddler - You Play Me, Waltz Of A Ghetto Fly from "Waltz Of A Ghetto Fly" CD/LP 2004 (Genuine/PIAS)

Amp Fiddler - I Believe In You (Jaylib Mix) CD/12" single 2004 (Genuine/PIAS)

Brother Jack McDuff - Oblighetto (J Dilla Remix) from "Blue Note Revisted" CD/LP 2004 (Blue Note)

De La Soul - Verbal Clap, Much More from "Grind Date" CD/LP (Sanctuary)

DJ Cam - Love Junkee (Remix) 12" single 2003 (Inflamable) and "Liquid Hip Hop CD/LP 2004 (Inflamable)

Elzhi - Days and Nights, Concrete Eyes, Love It Here, and Look At My Friends from "Witness My Growth" Mix CD 2004 (Libido Speedo)

Frank-N-Dank - Let's Go, Okay, MCA from "Xtended Play" CD/LP 2004 (Needillworks)

Lawless Element - The Shining 12" single 2004 (RMR/Fat Beats)

Oh No - Move from The Disrupt CD/LP 2004, and The Disrupt Instrumentals LP 2005 (Stones Throw)

Proof of D12 - Bring It 2 Me from "I Miss The Hip Hop Shop" CD/LP 2004 (Iron Fist)

Prozack - Leisure Rules from "Death, Taxes, and Prozack" CD 2004 (Outofwork Records)

Slum Village - Do You from "Detroit Deli" CD/LP 2004 (Barak/Capitol)

2005

Common - Love is..., It's Your World (Part 1 & 2) from "Be" CD/LP and "Be Instrumentals" LP 2005 (GOOD Music/Geffen)

Common - The Movement from "NBA 2K6 - The Tracks" CD/LP 2005 (Decon)

Dwele - Keep On from "Some Kinda" CD/LP 2005 (Virgin)

Dwight Trible & The Life Force Trio - Antiquity from "Love Is The Answer" CD/LP 2005 (Ninja Tune)

MED - Push feat. J Dilla 12" single 2005 (Stones Throw)

MED - Push, So Real from "Push Comes To Shove" CD/LP 2005 (Stones Throw)

Moka Only - One Time from "The Desired Effect" CD/LP 2005 (Nettwerk)

Oh No - Move Part 2 feat. J Dilla & Roc C 12" single 2005 (Stones Throw)

Slum Village - Who Are We from "Prequel To A Classic" CD 2005 (Barak Records)

Spacek - Dollar 12" single 2005 (Sound in Color)

Spacek - Dollar from "Space Shift" CD/LP 2005 (Sound in Color)

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Just listened to Time Traveling of "Like Water For Chocolate.

That's the best beat i've ever heard in my life. Definently the best.

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Frenetic, i want 2 publicly apologize for my comment in the other post. I didn't mean 2 come off rude. It's just that u've been doing this kinda often recently. Sorry.

Back 2 Jay Dee tho.' I'm still gettin' use 2 this. I just can't wrap my mind about this yet. It's sad that one of Hip-Hop's best talents who actually had some commerical success is gone. Another soulja lost. At least he lost a great library of music. He waz an originator and his music will definitly live on. I think i'm gonna make a mixtape of his best stuff very soon.

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