J Dilla
The producer behind Nas's Mass Appeal release of J Dilla's posthumous album *The Diary*.
J Dilla, born James Yancey, is an American hip-hop recording artist. His posthumous album *The Diary* was released on April 15, 2016, through his label Pay Jay Productions, Inc. in conjunction with Nas' record label, Mass Appeal Records. The album features vocal performances over his production and that of other producers, including Madlib, Pete Rock, Nottz, Hi-Tek and Karriem Riggins. It also includes vocal performances by Snoop Dogg, Bilal, Kokane, Frank n Dank, Nottz, Kenny Wray and Boogie. Recording sessions took place from September 16, 2001, to April 2, 2002, at The Spaceship in Clinton Township and Studio A in Detroit.
Quick Facts
- Birth Name
- James Dewitt Yancey
- Alias
- Jay Dee · Jon Doe · JD · Dilla · Dilla Dawg · McNasty · J Deezy · Dill Withers · MC Silk · Pay Jay
- Birth Date
- 1974-02-07
- Birth Place
- Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
- Death Date
- 2006-02-10
- Death Place
- Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Genre
- Midwestern hip-hop / West Coast hip-hop / instrumental hip-hop / progressive soul / electronic / jazz
- Discography
- Albums · production
- Occupations
- Record producer · rapper · composer · drummer · songwriter
- Instrument
- Vocals / drums / percussion / keyboards / drum machine / sampler
- Years Active
- 1993–2006
- Label
- Delicious Vinyl · BBE · PayJay Productions, Inc. · MCA · Stones Throw · Bling 47 · ✓Look
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
On February 18, 2016, New York City rapper Nas announced on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 radio program that the much-delayed album *The Diary* was expected to be released on April 15, 2016, via his own label Mass Appeal in collaboration with Yancey's imprint Pay Jay Productions. He also unearthed an unheard track entitled 'The Introduction'. On March 17, 2016, Nas previewed a previously unheard collaboration with J Dilla during his headlining set at Mass Appeal's Live at the BBQ showcase at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Titled 'The Sickness', the Madlib-produced track originated in 2001 and was completed in 2015 with a verse from Nas. Though not included on *The Diary*, it came as an iTunes exclusive bonus track with pre-orders of the album.
Reader's Guide
J Dilla's connection to Nas centers on the release of *The Diary*, the sixth and final studio album by Dilla. Originally intended for release in 2002 via MCA Records under the title *Pay Jay*, the album was shelved and later released posthumously on April 15, 2016, through Pay Jay Productions, Inc. in conjunction with Nas' record label, Mass Appeal Records. The album was supported by the singles 'The Anthem', 'Diamonds', 'Give Them What They Want', 'The Introduction', 'Gangsta Boogie', and 'The Sickness', and includes the 2001 underground classic 'Fuck the Police'. Nas played a direct role in the album's promotion, announcing the release date on Beats 1 and previewing 'The Sickness' at SXSW. The album's completion was overseen by the estate's Creative Director Eothen 'Egon' Alapatt, who disclosed to *Rolling Stone* that *The Diary* was 'the last record that [Yancey] actually wanted out.'
Did You Know?
- J Dilla's album *The Diary* was originally intended for release in 2002 under the title *Pay Jay* via MCA Records.
- The album features production from Madlib, Pete Rock, Nottz, Hi-Tek and Karriem Riggins, among others.
- The track 'Fuck the Police' was released on 12-inch vinyl on September 18, 2001, just a week after the September 11 attacks, and was turned down by MCA Records.
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