J Dilla’s Legacy Lives in Los Angeles (Dilla Day L.A. Recap)

When we asked Detroit duo Slum Village why a celebration of pioneering producer J Dilla (James Dewitt Yancey) was important to have in Los Angeles, T3 responded “This is his second home.”

Los Angeles played an important role in Dilla’s legacy and vice versa. South Central’s The Pharcyde were at the height of their career when they had Dilla in his first major placement with “Runnin’”. In 2004 and the last years of his life, Dilla lived in Hancock Park with Common getting a different scenery and environment from Detroit. Illa J, Dilla’s brother, said in a New York Times documentary that L.A. was the place where he saw his brother the “most peaceful”. The city is where Jay Dee created the highly-praised album Donuts, and influenced a whole generation of beat makers and producers. Maybe setting the soil for what came to be the L.A. Beat Scene.  

On February 10th, Dilla Day L.A. organized a gathering that not only celebrated Dilla’s legacy but kept his influence playing and music living.  

The show began at 8pm, where DJ Noah Ayala got the night started playing boom bap rhythms as people slowly filled the Mateo Street venue. As people trickled in, graffiti artist @superrunledgasoline, was making finishing spray flares on the Dilla Day L.A. art piece. Passing the artwork, music lovers were greeted by records, donuts, drinks, and more art. Vendors included Mothersun Records, Drip Tone Records, Kulture, and Zoey’s Munchies. 

By 9pm, Ayala had attracted a group of dancers ready to take the floor. The following DJ, Lala, got the crowd on their feet and on the floor. Lala dedicated her set to the fans and lovers of “real hip-hop”. Halfway through the set, a circle was started where breakers were on their hands and head spinning reminding us the elements of hip hop are well and alive. Our very own India “Butter” Lendsey, took the spotlight and showed Dilla fans a home grown groove!

The first rapper of the night was Abstract Rude from Project Blowed accompanied by dancer Zulu Butterfly, who brought powerful lyricism to the stage. Producer Exile had the following set, where he showcased all of his beats that were inspired by Dilla. The 30-minute set went to show just how much of an influence Dilla had in Los Angeles’s producer and beat scene. Before closing his set, Exile brought out his close collaborator Blu. Exile and Blu are most well-known for their underground classic Below the Heavens, an album they recently got the rights back for.  

The first headliner of the night was one of Dilla’s close friends and record shopping partner from the legendary Beat Junkies, J Rocc. By this time, the crowd was singing along to Dilla classics from A Tribe Called Quest to Common to songs from Donuts. During his set, J Rocc brought out special guests a part of Dilla’s L.A. story.

Do you know the Donuts cover of Dilla laughing with the cap brim covering his eyes? J Rocc’s first guest is the person responsible for that laugh, Oxnard’s M.E.D. The photo is from the “Push” music video shoot.

During his set, J Rocc brought out WildChild stating that he was the main reason Madlib and Dilla connected. WildChild is from the Oxnard group The Lootpack, which also includes Madlib and DJ Romes. Recently the video of Dilla and Madlib first connecting went viral on social media. 

The night could not have been complete without the blessing of Ma Dukes, Maureen Yancey, mother of Jay Dee. She introduced the headliner of the night, J Dilla’s original group Slum Village. They were recently named one of the greatest hip hop groups of all time by Billboard.  The current group is composed of Young RJ and T3. When we asked the group how it felt to be included in a prestigious category, Young RJ replied, “Both of them [J Dilla and Baatin, Slum Village members] said before they passed, ‘Keep it goin’. No matter what happens.’ And you see that’s what we’re doing today.”

This event is proof that musical waves and sonics out last our physical travels and mainstream recognition. With Dilla’s music comes an intergenerational community it gathers as it travels through time and space. All break dancing and raising hands together at Dilla Day L.A. 

The next Dilla Day L.A. is currently planned for February 8th, 2025.