J Dilla (Jay Dee) Passes Away At 32
One of Hip Hop's most admired Producer & MC passed away last Friday at the age of 32. The the sad news about J Dilla's (nee James Yancey) death was so unreal.
J Dilla had been living with his mother in Los Angeles since being diagnosed with Lupus about three years ago. He had been on dialisys for two years before being found by his mother. Lupus is an inflammation of the kidney caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease of the immune system. Apart from the kidneys, SLE can also damage the skin, joints and nervous system.
The founding member of Slum Village, Dilla produced for acts such as Comon, Madlib and A Tribe Called Quest. Jay Dee's latest solo album, a, was released just last week.
In 2003 he teamed up with Madlib for the critically acclaimed "Champion Sound." That album is still on heavy rotation on Aeki Tuesday's end. Donuts spanning 43 minutes and 23 seconds is hip hop instrumental to it's fullest. J Dilla had planned on releasing another album in 2006 called The Shinning.
According to Stones Throw, scheduled Listening Parties for "Donuts" are still in effect.