This picture above means a lot to myself and to my brother Mattlocks. On one of Illa J’s visits to Arizona, I suggested that he meet up with Mattlocks if he was comfortable to take a few pictures. I knew that Mattlocks was a HUGE Dilla fan, he’s actually the person who introduced me to his music so this was the best way for me to show love back by offering that suggestion. The shoot happened, and the minute I saw this picture I was in amazement by what was captured.
In the picture is Illa J, who to this day, wears Dilla’s chain as a source of connection and protection for the piece; “The Torch” is what he referenced it as, the type of responsibility to carry on the music for the family. It was the bottom right corner of the picture that peaked my interest, the light reflecting off of the shot formed a Donut shaped orb or spot. For those who aren’t familiar, his last album was titled J. Dilla Jay Dee Donuts which he released on 2-7-2006, 3 days before he passed away. Dilla apparently wanted in on the photo shoot as well.

Today is Dilla’s birthday, (his friends and family who call him James Dewitt Yancey), and to all his fans worldwide he was one of the greatest producers to ever live. When it comes to a Dilla beat, there is a certain amount of perfection that you hear with each 808 and sample that he would chop up and make his own. He worked with countless artists in the game and created a world that his friends are very protective of, rightfully so to carry on a legacy that shined so bright. I’ve been blessed to meet some of his friends and family who were kind enough to share some of their Dilla stories with me throughout the years.
Theres one story in particular that makes me semi-emotional and the first time I had heard about it was when one of Dilla’s friends, Dave New York- painted a picture for me with words.
One of the performances, I believe it was in Paris with the Frank N Dank tour was completely sold out. The love in that room blew up when the crowd learned that J. Dilla, who was undergoing extreme medical challenges due to Lupus, had traveled all the way from LA along with His mother, Maureen Yancey aka Ma Dukes.

It was at that moment that the crowd split directly down the middle wide enough for Dave New York to walk from the back of the venue with Dilla-who was in a wheelchair. They lifted him up onto the stage, and he performed.

This is the one and only reason why I don’t hold any respect for lazy performers.

If this man can go across the world, and perform when all the odds are against him; there is not one, single, performance that I will stay at if the emcee doesn’t give it his all.

His mother, Maureen Yancey aka Ma Dukes, still travels in the name of her son to tributes and fundraisers while his brother Illa J, is steady creating music in the Space Lab with Dilla as his guardian angel. The one thing that she has always put forefront in this mission to carryon Dilla’s story is, Love.

From the heart I can say that, J. Dilla really did change my life and led it in a direction that I never thought I would go. It’s almost like it was meant for me to listen in a way I always wanted, but never took the time.

The amount of respect I have for the people surrounding his legacy and the appreciation I have to hear some of the stories I do from time to time mean the world to me.
Each one of his songs are his diamonds, his family is the treasure chest- and his friends are the protectors of all of the above.
The love and respect that his family and friends have for him is one of the most beautiful acts of mankind I have ever witnessed in my life. It’s real, and you feel it. I’m no expert, but from what I do know that is exactly what legends are made of.

This is just another example of, it’s not how you die, but how you Lived that matters in the end.

Rest in Paradise Jay Dee.

For More information on the J Dilla Foundation GO HERE

(Produced by The Ummah- Q-Tip, J. Dilla, Ali Shaheed.)

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There is SO much more… just google J. Dilla and your life will change. TURN IT UP!