Real Name: James Dewitt Yancey

Aliases: Jay Dee, Dilla, Dilla Dawg

BORN:

Feb 07, 1974

AGE:

51

NET WORTH:

$10 Million

HEIGHT:

5'4

BIO

J Dilla is regarded as one of the greatest producers of all time. Dilla’s combination of melodic loops, obscure samples, and hard-hitting drums made him one of the most revered boardsmiths. Dilla emerged in the mid-1990s underground Hip Hop scene in Detroit as a member of Slum Village. When Q-Tip heard the demo of the group, he reached out to Dilla and invited him to produce on A Tribe Called Quest’s album Beats, Rhymes and Life. Dilla went on to create classic material for a variety of artists including Busta Rhymes, Common, De La Soul, The Pharcyde, Ghostface Killah, and many more. Although his life and career were short, J Dilla is widely considered to be one of the most influential producers in the Hip Hop genre.

PROPS

J Dilla comes from a musical family. His father Beverly DeWitt Yancey wrote “It’s a Shame,” for The Spinners.
J Dilla played the cello, keyboards, trumpet, and violin, and mastered the drums.
J Dilla was a pioneer of the Detroit Hip Hop scene.
J Dilla was a founder, MC, and producer of Slum Village.
J Dilla was the first outsider producer to work on A Tribe Called Quest album.
J Dilla was a founding member of the Soulquarians collective.

HipHopDX | Rap & Hip Hop News | Ad Placeholder

AD

AD LOADING...

AD

Top J Dilla Questions

Who was one of J-Dilla’s first managers?

Former Pistons and Bulls NBA player John Salley once managed J-Dilla.

Who was J-Dilla’s first mentor as a producer?

Amp Fiddler showed J-Dilla the ropes of production.

What was one of J-Dilla’s first placements?

J-Dilla produced “Runnin” and “Drop” by The Pharcyde.

Was J-Dilla ever signed as a solo artist?

J-Dilla was signed to a solo deal with MCA Records in 2002.

What was J-Dilla’s favorite piece of production equipment?

J-Dilla used the Moog Minimoog Voyager, Korg MicroKORG Synthesizer/Vocoder, and Akai MPC 3000.

How did J-Dilla die?

J-Dilla passed away due to complications from lupus.

J Dilla

Real name: James Dewitt Yancey

Aliases: Jay Dee, Dilla, Dilla Dawg

J Dilla Meets Wu-Tang Clan On New Mash-Up Mixtape 'D.R.E.A.M. (Dilla Rules Everything Around Me)'

J Dilla Meets Wu-Tang Clan On New Mash-Up Mixtape 'D.R.E.A.M. (Dilla Rules Everything Around Me)'

News | Nov 22, 2020, 8:40 PM PST

J Dilla's 'Welcome 2 Detroit' Album Gets 20th Anniversary Box Set After Busta Rhymes Shows Love On 'ELE 2'

J Dilla's 'Welcome 2 Detroit' Album Gets 20th Anniversary Box Set After Busta Rhymes Shows Love On 'ELE 2'

News | Nov 3, 2020, 1:33 PM PST

The 12 Greatest Posthumous Rap Albums

The 12 Greatest Posthumous Rap Albums

News | Oct 31, 2020, 3:30 PM PDT

Late Producer Legend J Dilla's Classic Album 'Donuts' Targeted In Sample Lawsuit

Late Producer Legend J Dilla's Classic Album 'Donuts' Targeted In Sample Lawsuit

News | Sep 1, 2020, 6:52 PM PDT

HipHopDX | Rap & Hip Hop News | Ad Placeholder

AD

AD LOADING...

AD

Big Sean Teases J Dilla Production For 'Detroit 2' Album

Big Sean Teases J Dilla Production For 'Detroit 2' Album

News | May 25, 2020, 2:47 PM PDT

madlib spotify

From Madlib To J Dilla To Dr. Dre: 10 Hip Hop Instrumental Albums To Listen To While Working from Home

Editorials | Mar 31, 2020, 12:00 PM PDT

Black Sheep's Dres Has Ma Dukes' Blessing For Upcoming J Dilla Collaboration 'No Words'

Black Sheep's Dres Has Ma Dukes' Blessing For Upcoming J Dilla Collaboration 'No Words'

News | Feb 26, 2020, 8:30 AM PST

J Dilla's Uncle Needs Hip Hop's Help To Save Dilla's Delights Donut Shop

J Dilla's Uncle Needs Hip Hop's Help To Save Dilla's Delights Donut Shop

News | Jan 2, 2020, 10:08 AM PST

HipHopDX | Rap & Hip Hop News | Ad Placeholder

AD

AD LOADING...

AD

Save The Music Foundation Unveils J Dilla Music Tech Grant

Save The Music Foundation Unveils J Dilla Music Tech Grant

News | Aug 28, 2019, 3:57 PM PDT

Madlib's Top 10 Rap Collaboration Albums Ranked

Madlib's Top 10 Rap Collaboration Albums Ranked

Editorials | Aug 13, 2019, 11:29 AM PDT