James Dewitt Yancey, better known as producer J Dilla, would have turned 43 yesterday. But Dilla died 11 years ago, on February, 10, 2006, just a few days after he celebrated his birthday and released his magnum opus, Donuts. The boisterous, sample-based album was far from Dilla’s last release, and not a year has gone by without another posthumous Dilla EP or full-length—most consist of unreleased material, but none have escaped Donuts‘ shadow. His influence continues to make itself felt all over the world of hip-hop, including in a bevy of Chicago producers who continue to take inspiration from him. I spoke with some local beat makers when Stones Throw prepared a seven-inch box-set reissue of Donuts in 2012, though I wish I’d gotten in touch with Thelonious Martin back then. He became enamored with Dilla while watching Cartoon Network’s late-night programming Adult Swim, because it regularly plays Dilla’s music in the minute-long breaks between shows, which usually feature irreverent title cards. Yesterday Thelonious Martin released A Dozen for Dilla, a collection of short instrumentals to celebrate his hero’s life. I’m particularly taken by the slack swing of the drums and the watery guitar sample on “Brasil Chop.”
A Dozen For Dilla by Thelonious Martin Friday night, Thelonious Martin honors Dilla as part of a tribute show helmed by funk band Perse as Funk; Illa J and Harris Cole also perform. Tickets are $15, $10 in advance, and all proceeds go to the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation. It kicks off at 9 PM at 19 East.
