J Dilla is set to be honored in his home city of Detroit by having a street named after him.
The late producer was confirmed on Tuesday (October 22) to be one of five historical figures from the city to be bestowed the honor alongside fellow producer Amp Fiddler, Detroit Piston Earl Cureton, civil rights leader Horace Sheffield Jr. and murdered local man Vincent Chin.
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“Everyone here that was recommended is notable, is honorable, has done great things for our city, and we appreciate that this is very difficult for us to only select five,” said City Council President Mary Sheffield, per Detroit News.
Dilla will get an honorary street sign on the intersection of Nevada and Charest Streets near his family home where he famously recorded in a basement studio.
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Amp Fiddler, a former member of George Clinton’s Parliament Funkadelic who mentored Dilla early on and introduced him to both the MPC drum machine and future collaborator Q-Tip, will have his sign at the intersection of Seven Mile Road and Revere Avenue where he grew up.
Dan Charnas, author of the acclaimed book Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm, welcomed the news on social media.
You know some of Detroit’s famous thoroughfares named for notable citizens: Woodward, John R., Cass. Joining them now will be two more: Yancey and Fiddler. Thanks to the city council and congratulations to everyone who worked to put these two important Detroiters on the map.
— Dan Charnas (@dancharnas) October 22, 2024
“You know some of Detroit’s famous thoroughfares named for notable citizens: Woodward, John R., Cass. Joining them now will be two more: Yancey and Fiddler,” he wrote. “Thanks to the city council and congratulations to everyone who worked to put these two important Detroiters on the map.”
Hip Hop recently paid tribute to J Dilla on what would have been his 50th birthday.
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“HAPPY 50 TO THE GREATEST TO EVER DO IT @officialjdilla,” former collaborator Busta Rhymes wrote on Instagram. “MY FAVORITE PRODUCER EVER AND ONE OF MY FAVORITE MC’S EVER!! I WILL FOREVER REPRESENT YOU THROUGH MY WORK KING!!”
Common, who was not only one of Dilla’s closest friends and collaborators but also lived with him in Los Angeles, called him “the greatest” and said he’s made a lasting impact on his life and career.
“There isn’t a day that goes by that my life isn’t moved and touched by what you brought to it,” he wrote in his own Instagram tribute. “Thank You my great brother for blessing me and the planet with your gifts and your artistry and your genius.”
Elsewhere, fellow producer DJ Premier wrote: “HAPPY BORN DAY DILLA DAWG,” while Pete Rock added: “HAPPY BORN DAY TO THE G.O.A.T. His physical is missed, but his greatness is still here with us.”
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Dilla (real name James Yancey) passed away aged 32 in 2006 due to complications from the rare blood disease thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).
