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.

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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

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

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

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Black Milk & Nat Turner Announce “The Rebellion Sessions” Album Release Date, Cover Art & Tracklist

Black Milk & Nat Turner Announce “The Rebellion Sessions” Album Release Date, Cover Art & Tracklist

News | Mar 14, 2016, 11:00 AM PDT

J Dilla “The Common Denominator” Between Kanye West, Pharrell & Others, Black Thought Says

J Dilla “The Common Denominator” Between Kanye West, Pharrell & Others, Black Thought Says

News | Feb 11, 2016, 2:00 PM PST

J Dilla’s Mother "Ma Dukes" Yancey Finally Details House Shoes Beef

J Dilla’s Mother "Ma Dukes" Yancey Finally Details House Shoes Beef

Interviews | Feb 8, 2016, 12:57 PM PST

Illa J: Not Just J Dilla’s Little Brother Anymore

Illa J: Not Just J Dilla’s Little Brother Anymore

Interviews | Feb 5, 2016, 10:38 AM PST

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DJ Premier Shares Story Of Photo With J Dilla, D'Angelo & Alchemist

DJ Premier Shares Story Of Photo With J Dilla, D'Angelo & Alchemist

News | Jan 23, 2016, 10:00 AM PST

Peanut Butter Wolf Revisits Meeting Madlib

Peanut Butter Wolf Revisits Meeting Madlib

News | Jan 20, 2016, 10:24 AM PST