J Dilla

James Dewitt Yancey (February 7, 1974–February 10, 2006), better known as J Dilla or Jay Dee, was an acclaimed Hip-Hop producer who emerged from the mid-1990s underground Hip-Hop scene in Detroit, Michigan. He began his career as a member of the group Slum Village, and was also a driving force in the production trio The Ummah. Yancey started his career under the name Jay Dee (based on his initials) but used the name J Dilla from 2001 onward. Many critics believe J Dilla's work to have had a major influence on his peers[1] and that he embodied the neo soul sound, playing a defining yet understated role during the sub-genre's rise (roughly from the mid-90s to the early 2000s). J Dilla was often dubbed "your favorite producer's favorite producer," and was highly regarded by mainstream artists and producers such as Common, Kanye West, A Tribe Called Quest, Just Blaze, Busta Rhymes, Pharrell Williams.

Birth name James Dewitt Yancey
Also known as J Dilla, Jay Dee
Born February 7, 1974(1974-02-07)
Died February 10, 2006 (aged 32)
Genre(s) Hip Hop
Neo soul
Abstract hip hop
Alternative hip hop
Occupation(s) Music Producer
Rapper
Multi-instrumentalist
Instrument(s) MPC
Turntable
Sampler
Drum Machine
Macintosh
Piano
Bass Guitar
Drums
Guitar
Flute
Years active 1993-2006
Label(s) Delicious Vinyl
BBE
MCA
Stones Throw
Associated acts Phat Kat
The Ummah
Slum Village
Guilty Simpson
A Tribe Called Quest
Soulquarians
Frank-n-Dank
Jaylib
Busta Rhymes


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