They Say: R.I.P. J Dilla

Thursday, 02 March 2006 03:58

Hip-Hop Mourns The Passing of James Yancey (a.k.a. J Dilla) (a.k.a. Jay Dee)

It's a tragedy that has yet to sink in for me. I've not even tried to listen to any of his works as was the case for most, if not all, his fans and his Detroit hometown. The saddest thing about Jay Dee's passing is, in my opinion, the fact that people might never realize how versatile and prolific this guy was. Personally, I just appreciated and enjoyed his work, whether it was for Common, Busta Rhymes, his former group Slum Village, or his self. I thought he was as talented they come and wished he did more high profile production (cf. Janet Jackson's Got Till It's Gone) and put himself out there. His stalwart fans, from the everyday guy to movers and shakers like Pharrell or ?uestlove, adulated Dilla and revered him every chance they got. Detroit Free Press' Kelley Carter account of Dilla's last days reveal a private man who didn't let a debilitating condition stop him from doing what he loved: making music.
Rest In Peace!

He was the best ever, and very underappreciated. Dilla was very reserved, quiet, all he wanted to do was make beats, make music. It wasn't about the glitz and glory. He wasn't doing it for the spotlight at all. He's a dinosaur who will be missed.
- Tim Maynor, J Dilla's manager

I am devastated at the world's loss of a musical genius of Charlie Parker proportions. Too often we bestow the 'greatest' title upon those who have the attention of the press and the charts and radio. But if you were to secretly ask the most praised hip-hop producers, if given a top three, who they fear the most, Dilla's name would chart on everyone's list, hands down. I am fortunate to have known this man. He inspires me to perfect my craft in every way. Dilla was and will always be my hero.
- ?uestlove, Roots' drummer

As a producer, he is one of the most influential producers ever, even up to Kanye West or Just Blaze. Jay Dee had a signature sound that a lot of people were influenced by. People will never understand his genius. It's a shame that he didn't get the light of a Dr. Dre or Timbaland or Neptunes, but he took more of a jazz-musician approach to the whole game. He was truly a mastermind.
- Proof, D12

I didn't know him personally. I was a fan of his work from afar. I was talking to [?uestlove] from the Roots the other day about him and he told me he was the producers' producers' producer and they had made a song dedicated to him before he passed and we're gonna put that out in honor of him.
- Jay-Z

The Okayplayer folks have dedicated a personal site to their friend's memory. They've also alloted him a section on their message board in remembrance and to celebrate his life. The lead Mpozi Tolbert picture was taken from that site. The comments from Black Thought (The Roots' lead emcee) and (Mad) Skillz come from the message boards.

This weekend we lost one of the most talented producers in music. I cant explain how monumental a blow we, in the hip hop community have just taken. I met James Yancey, or Jay Dee as we affectionately referred to him, in 1994 at Battery Studios, NYC. From that day, he's never ceased to amaze me with his vast knowledge of good music and his knack for manipulating sounds and making them his own. I am an MC. I've been doing what I do for a long time. I've sat in many a basement, studio, tour bus, and livingroom watching and waiting as beats were being conceived for me to rock and I can honestly say...I've never seen anyone with a better understanding of sampling and re-inventing sound. I've never seen anyone with a tighter grip on technology and how to use it to broaden one's perspective without losing sight of the original essence...Hip hop. Jay Dee was a true hip hop "Artist". The vinyl of the world served as his colors. The SP1200, MPC60, keyboards and computer programs were the brushes he used to apply his gift to the canvas that is this world. I've never been a dickrider. I only give credit where credit is due and the genius of James Yancey is most definitely due credit. I can't begin to explain the influence his mind and ear has had on my band, myself,and the careers of so many other artists. The most humble, modest, worthy and gifted beatmaker I've known...and definitely the best producer on a mic. As I write these words, my tears splashing the keyboard, I reminisce on the times I've shared with Dilla, never without that signature smile and head bouncing to the beat, and finally understand the true meaning of passion. Jay Dee had a passion for life and music and will never be forgotten. I loved this brother. I love what he's done for us all. And though I'm happy he's no longer in the pain he had been recently feeling, I'm crushed by the pain of his absence. "The name is Dilla dog and I can only rep the real and the raw."
My nigga Dilla... Rest in peace man.

- Black Thought

I remember when I first met Jay Dee in New York at Battery Studios. [A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip] brought him to the studio. I was in the process of finishing the mixes on [my 1996 album] From Where??? and I was basically done. I was real cool with Tip at that time and really wanted him to do a beat for the album but he was mad busy. I had a verse from him so I should've [kept] my mouth shut and just been happy with what I had, but I was such a fan of the remix he did for Nas that I kept buggin him about it. He came to the studio one day and had this kid with him that had on a Detroit hat and a bubble coat. I played Tip some shit and Large Pro had come by and they were vibing. This kid just sat in the back [and] didn't really say to much. See, Large Pro ate up half my album budget - not for the tracks he did, but for the studio time. He would bring records and just listen to 'em in my session. Lock Out...Battery Studios...Tim did the sessions so that was more doe. And when Tip came thru, I knew the day was gone. I wasn't gonna get any more work done. Damn! I remember one joint I played [and] this kid spoke...He said: "That last one you played was cold!" I'm like: "Huh?" I had no idea what that meant. Tip comes in the room and says: "I want you to hear something." I'm hella excited cuz either it's a new Tribe song or it's a beat for me. He tells the kid to put the tape in. He does and I hear a ghostly piano loop that has some shakers in it. Too Salsa for me. That was Runnin! He plays another joint and I go crazy over it. That was The Jam. He explains to me that the noise I keep flippin over [is] someone holding the repeat button on the SP when it's in 1/32! He played another joint...Wasnt my speed. I didn't like the Beastie Boy sample at the top. That was Drop! The next joint played and only played for 15 seconds. I wanted that one. He explained that it was just an interlude tho. I still wanted it. The next joint was hard, organ sounding joint. Sounds like something a west coast artist would take...Ice Cube maybe. That was [Somethin' That Means Somethin'! I took three tracks and told Tip that I wanted to add more tracks to the album. He said cool! Yes!!! I got three tracks from Tip!!! Tip looks at me and says:"I didnt make 'em...He did!" I look at the kid and speak to him and he says: "What Up Doe."
- What's your name?
- Jay Dee
- You from Detroit?
- Yeah
- You know Proof?
- Yup, that's my man. I did a song for him.
- Which one? Lois Lane?
- Yeah
- I got that 12 inch...He was telling me 'bout you! Them beats is crazy nigga.
- Thanks.
The beats I heard basically became Pharcyde's LabcabinCalifornia. I took the three songs tracked 'em and didn't see Jay Dee until he came back a month later to mix 'em down with me at Battery. He got paid 9 grand (3 g's per beat) and came in the studio with records in his hand and apologized for being late cause he was record shopping. He sat beside me and said: "I appreciate this yo...It don't matter how big I get in this game. It could be Dr. Dre big. Don't matter what I get per track...You will always be able to get a track from me for the same price you just gave me. That's my word!" I laughed and told him to make sure he remembers what he said. He laughed and we mixed the songs. I still have the tape. Gray Maxell. High Bias. 30 mins. It has a white piece of tape on it that reads "Jay Dee Beats" in red ink.

- Skillz