Real Name: James Dewitt Yancey

Aliases: Jay Dee, Dilla, Dilla Dawg

BORN:

Feb 07, 1974

AGE:

50

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.

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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

Unreleased J. Dilla Beats See Light Of Day As "Jay Dee’s Ma Dukes Collection"

Unreleased J. Dilla Beats See Light Of Day As "Jay Dee’s Ma Dukes Collection"

News | Dec 25, 2016, 3:47 PM PST

The Estate Of James Yancey Presents: The J Dilla Turntable

The Estate Of James Yancey Presents: The J Dilla Turntable

News | Oct 20, 2016, 3:00 AM PDT

Here's How Common's New Album "Black America Again" Tackles Racial Tension

Here's How Common's New Album "Black America Again" Tackles Racial Tension

News | Sep 30, 2016, 1:24 PM PDT

J Dilla Children's Book "The Life Story Of James Dewitt Yancey" Created By Ma Dukes

J Dilla Children's Book "The Life Story Of James Dewitt Yancey" Created By Ma Dukes

News | Sep 28, 2016, 3:40 PM PDT

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An iGeneration's Guide To Enjoying De La Soul's Music

An iGeneration's Guide To Enjoying De La Soul's Music

Editorials | Aug 28, 2016, 9:12 AM PDT

J Dilla Donut Shop "Dilla's Delights" Sells Out Three Times On Opening Day

J Dilla Donut Shop "Dilla's Delights" Sells Out Three Times On Opening Day

News | May 3, 2016, 12:23 PM PDT

Check Out J Dilla & Nas' "The Sickness" Video

Check Out J Dilla & Nas' "The Sickness" Video

Videos | Apr 27, 2016, 9:00 AM PDT

J Dilla - The Diary

J Dilla - The Diary

Reviews | Apr 22, 2016, 2:06 PM PDT

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Nas’ Mass Appeal Releases J Dilla’s “The Diary” Album

Nas’ Mass Appeal Releases J Dilla’s “The Diary” Album

News | Apr 15, 2016, 1:05 PM PDT

Nas Premieres New J Dilla Collaboration “The Sickness”

Nas Premieres New J Dilla Collaboration “The Sickness”

Videos | Mar 18, 2016, 8:37 AM PDT