Talk:J Dilla

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a tibdt[edit]

Why does the article state that Amp taught Jay how to use the MP? In the the Last interview Dilla gave (published in the may/june 2006 of scratch magazine)

he said "Actually what Amp did, he'd play some stuff out on the MP but he was like, "i'm not going to show you how to work it. You gotta learn on your own"

thats a direct quote from the interview (check the mag for yourself) Amp introduced him to the instrument but Dilla learned on his own! - jjonah 3:22 pm, December 30 2006

Influence on other artists[edit]

I'm pretty sure there's an interview out there where ?uestlove actually praises Dilla for being one of the biggest influences on him as a DRUMMER. I think that's pretty high praise.

And the Q-Tip quote is unverified. I just remember back before Fantastic Vol 2 had dropped, and just after Tribe had dissolved, some people were saying "Q-Tip says Jay Dee can kill his own beats better than anybody. He finds the flow and actually shows artists that he's working with the best way to approach it."

And if someone could verify Pharrel's comments, that would be pretty significant. Or find any other prominant producers or artists who can sing this guy's praises. His legacy will live on in the people he influences. The preceding unsigned comment was added by 65.95.157.17 (talk • contribs) .

There are quotes on a sticker on J Dilla's Donuts album where Kanye West and Pharrell Williams praise Jay Dee as a producer. West says that Dilla's drums can't be topped and Williams simply says that Jay Dee is one of his favorite producers. Borg166 17:27, 23 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Cause of Death: Correcting earlier fallacies on this page - sources included[edit]

Several inconsistent causes of death were listed in the media and on this page itself. Dilla's NYTimes obit states: "The cause was cardiac arrest, according to his mother, Maureen Yancey. She said he had been suffering from lupus and had recently been hospitalized for pneumonia." This is the only report that directly cites his mother as the source of information, so it should be credited as fact unless someone has proof to the contrary.

The Dilla article "Last Days" published in Detroit Free Press discussed his heath issues in depth, and they do not contradict the cause of death reported in the NYTimes obit. "Last Days" also suggests a cause of all the confusion: "rumors swirled in hip-hop circles that he was sick, the extent - and specifics - of his health concerns were largely kept secret. Yancey was not the type who wanted others to know about his problems."

Dilla did not die of simple kidney failure, malnutrition, liver complications, or "possibly AIDS." Please do not report unsubstantiated rumors in a bio.

NYTimes obit: http://stonesthrow.com/jdilla/nytimesobit.html

Detroit Free Press "Last Days": http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060223/ENT04/602230496/1039/ENT

While some of your edits might be correcting errors, you're also making a mess of the article's style I'm afraid; see Wikipedia:How to edit a page for help with basic editing techniques. --Mel Etitis (Μελ Ετητης) 13:33, 22 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
This has nothing to do with the erroneous causes of death being reported. As for the article's "style," much of the article was incomprehensible before my edit. - Dilwithers, 22 May 2006
Please read the document to which I linked; for example, see the rules for capitalising headings. You're also replacing good English with worse. --Mel Etitis (Μελ Ετητης) 17:11, 22 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I can't believe I feel the need to tell an admin that he should read WP:BITE. You could have just thanked him for his corrections and then asked him to please read the manual of style. —msikma <user_talk:msikma> 22:13, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Suggested changes[edit]

In an e-mail, Dilwithers made the following suggestions:

[...]two clear factual errors [...]:
- Janet Jackson song co produced by Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad
- 2Pac song produced by J Dilla
These are wrong. The Jackson song was produced by Dilla and credited to Ummah (a group name). The other two are simply co-members of Ummah. Dilla did not produce the 2Pac song, rather it was based on a beat of his. The best published source I can give for this is [1]. Perhaps you are the expert on Wikipedia - I am the expert on J Dilla.
I also removed the Amp Fiddler link because there's no reason for it. Amp Fiddler knew and worked with Dilla, but not in any way more significant than two dozen other artists who are also on Wikipedia who are or are not mentioned in the body of the article. This is a simple matter of consistency.
The links on the bottom of the page are a mess. I'm trying to divide them between "official" and editorial, adding the significant new link www.jdilla.org. Why remove this content?
By erasing my changes you appear to consider me an intruder on this public website, therefore I hope you will be willing to make the changes yourself. Here are my suggestions and reasons for each one:
P2 - fine except for the last sentence which reads badly. The point of this is that Dilla's last two major label projects were not successful and that this marks a turn in his career, from majors to indies. No need for a run-on sentence though.
P3 - It is significant that Dilla moved from Detroit to LA, marking the second aspect of his career change, so this should be mentioned. The words I wrote about Jaylib's performances are significant because they show that he had re-established himself in Los Angeles and was active in Jaylib despite looming illness. The lines about his health can wait until later when a greater point is made.
P4 - The line about touring in a wheelchair is better off after the magazines are mentioned.
P5 - fine, but perhaps merge with P4.
Selected production credit:
- add material on Ghostface Killah's album since it is the most prominent J Dilla project in years

As he is unable or unwilling to provide sources and citations for most of this, can anyone else oblige? --Mel Etitis (Μελ Ετητης) 21:47, 24 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Which lupus?[edit]

There are various types of lupus:

Which one did Jay Dee suffer from? —msikma <user_talk:msikma> 22:11, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Good question regarding lupus. I've read just about everything printed about Dilla, but it's never been said. The most detailed article on his illness is Detroit Free Press's "Last Days" [2] for which his mother and others close to him her interviewed. This article confirms the rare blood disease, but on the subject of Lupus only says, "doctors diagnosed something that looked like lupus." MarcelloRubini 07:31, 11 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]


I'd heard over and over it was Lupus Nephritis, its a kidney attacking version of the disease, and basically stops the body from being able to cleanse the blood of toxins. Its hard to diagnose and particularly nasty and agressive. I think it even notes that in Common's article… ETA: yeah right here… [3]

Xodiaq 15:48, 13 July 2007 (UTC)[reply]


In the third paragraph it is said that he died from TTP, which is a blood disease. So - lupus or TTP? --92.196.108.75 (talk) 19:56, 28 March 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Soulquarians[edit]

Article says Jay Dee "formed" the group, then it lists some of the group, but not the core of ?uestlove, James Poyser and D'Angelo.

Did Jay Dee form the group? I don't think so, but don't know for sure. Pretty sure it was more based on ?uest/Poyser/D'Angelo during the recording sessions for Voodoo (D'Angelo's album).

199.67.140.42 13:55, 18 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Questlove formed the group. He states in the Wax Poetics article about Dilla, that Soulequarians was formed as a means for him to get first pick at Dilla beats.

Uncredited Production[edit]

Is it possible to list uncredited production here when it is in fact "uncredited"? I've seen Janet Jackson's "Got til It's Gone" (1997) appear, disappear, then re-appear on this page. As of the time of me writing this, it's currently listed with co-producers. Numerous people close to J Dilla have stated in no uncertain terms that he is the sole producer of the original song and the remix.


According to Q-TIp of A Tribe Called Quest and, more importantly, the Ummah, J Dilla did not produce the album version of Janet Jackson's "Got Til It's Gone." He did do a special remix version of the track that was popular in underground clubs throughout 1997. He, however, was not a part of the team that produced the original track.

Paragraph on production style?[edit]

Dilla's production had a unique sound, but in this text there's really no description of his style. I would like to see a paragrapgh covering what made his music so unique, and what methods/techniques he used in his work. The articles on DJ Premier and Timbaland are perfect examples of what it should look like. Anyone up for writing this? :) —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 213.89.243.187 (talk) 21:17, 5 February 2007 (UTC).[reply]

Good idea. I also felt there was something missing, although I couldn't quite put my finger on it. After I gather some interviews and quotes here and there, I'll update the article (if someone else doesn't do so sooner). Majik43 07:22, 6 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I say keep it factual. Discussing style gets into an opinionated territory. MarcelloRubini 01:15, 17 March 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Discography[edit]

Do not merge. The Dilla discography is very long, and complicated due to his changing names, groups, etc. It would be longer than the bio. The page should be focused on bio, with the main artist discog. Dilla's discog is already covered in detail here: http://www.stonesthrow.com/jdilla/discography.html Personally, I feel the 'selected discography' should be trimmed down. MarcelloRubini 01:14, 17 March 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Don't merge. i agree that the selected production on the main page should be trimmed down. i also think more should be added to the dilla discography page so that it can be informative.Majik43 04:53, 18 March 2007 (UTC)[reply]


Picture[edit]

Someone add one... a good one. I'd do it but that stupid OrphanBot deletes everything I upload so I'll leave it to someone who knows how to select a license AND get away with it.


No kidding - why does the picture keep being deleted? It's obviously a publicity photo. MarcelloRubini 20:05, 2 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Yea!!!! We need some interesting pictures on here with ATCQ, Pharcyde, Roots, Common, etc.....Cosprings 19:01, 8 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

There are numerous excellent Dilla tribute portraits out there (such as this http://www.fixins.com/blogtest/uploaded_images/Jay-Dilla-784728.jpg) and i think it would be nice if we could obtain permission from somewhere to use one within the article, near the posthumous section. But ONLY a good one. The Moving Finger Writes 09:57, 28 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Locking the page[edit]

This page needs to be locked for a while. There's just too much damn activity (read: unnecessary editing) going on.The Moving Finger Writes 19:33, 26 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

No, defintely don't lock it. I don't know what edits you're talking about . This page needs to be A-class.Cosprings 14:34, 27 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I would be a shame if the page was locked in its current state, but it seems to be getting worse, not better. For a time, the page covered J Dilla alone and the key aspects of his career. There seems to be new marginal info added every time I visit. 69.234.144.11 16:20, 5 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]

First Detroit major label group[edit]

First of all, congratulations on a great Wikipedia entry. I don't think 1st Down was the first Detroit group signed to a major label. What about the DFC? They were signed to Big Beat in 1993. I know they're from Flint, but still...? Infamous30 18:59, 17 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The F in DFC stands for Flint, but the D does not stand for Detroit. 1st Down was from Detroit, DFC wasn't. 69.234.125.47 (talk) 14:32, 16 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Fair use rationale for Image:Dilla - w2d.jpg[edit]

Image:Dilla - w2d.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in Wikipedia articles constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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Fair use rationale for Image:Jdilla donuts.jpg[edit]

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Fair use rationale for Image:SV fantastic.jpg[edit]

Image:SV fantastic.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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Fair use rationale for Image:Ruff draft.jpg[edit]

Image:Ruff draft.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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Change That Picture[edit]

He looks very sick in that picture.I think people want to remember him and his legacy at the best times of his life and career,not remember or be reminded of him being at his worst times amd most ill.That pictue reminds you of that.Just get and use better picture,a healthier looking picture.please

  • If you're talking about this picture [4] which is currently on the page, I have to disagree with you. This photo was made available by Stones Throw in 2005 when Dilla was still alive, so one would presume that he himself did not object to it. From 2003 til the time of his death he looked very sick at times - either bloated from medication, or in a wheelchair - but he continued to perform in public. I've seen other pictures of him looking not too good. This one is perfectly respectable. MarcelloRubini 23:24, 19 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]

His Legacy[edit]

Fans honor Dilla's legacy through edit wars and by bootlegging his album. 72.66.80.133 (talk) 21:07, 4 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Going for J Dilla, Jay Dee, or Yancey[edit]

Troughout the article, J Dilla is refered to as J Dilla, Jay Dee or Yancey. Would it be better just to pick one and stick with it? --Soetermans | is listening | what he'd do now? 09:56, 11 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I agree, one should be chosen and it should be consistent. I vote for J Dilla because it's the title of the article. I thought it was possibly okay at the beginning when he was referred to as Yancy because he wasn't "J Dilla" then, but previous and birth names are discussed int he lead, so I think the whole article should be rewritten with the name as "J Dilla" (and not even just "Dilla" --- seems a little misguided.).Mabsal (talk) 18:29, 19 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]

GA review[edit]

The template has been added, but the article is not listed at WP:GAN. The subpage has also been created but filled with just templates. I'm removing the template since this just seems to be vandalism.--WillC 10:01, 10 August 2009 (UTC)[reply]

someone keeps adding J Dilla to Charles Hamilton (rapper) as an "associated act"[edit]

hello. someone keeps adding J Dilla to the Charles Hamilton infobox as an 'associated act'. i have removed it twice, but suspect i am missing something. is it fair to say that J Dilla was 'associated' with Hamilton? -badmachine 08:09, 9 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Errors[edit]

There are several errors in this article. First, Slum Village did not form in 1996; that was when they released their first album. They formed when Dilla was in high school. This is confirmed in an interview Dilla made with Elemental magazine (Feb 2003). The same goes for First Down; 1995 is the year their single was released, not the year they actually formed.

Also, the Legacy section is woefully out of date. Many of the legal issues cited in the section should be reverted to past tense, as they have either changed or been resolved. Infamous30 (talk) 10:29, 17 January 2013 (UTC)[reply]

External links modified[edit]

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Musical Versatility[edit]

J Dilla's ability to sample a multitude of songs from different musical genres to create a Hip Hop beat should be credited within this article. Sage Cadence (talk) 14:46, 7 December 2016 (UTC)[reply]

"Godfather of Lo-fi" listed at Redirects for discussion[edit]

An editor has identified a potential problem with the redirect Godfather of Lo-fi and has thus listed it for discussion. This discussion will occur at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2022 April 22#Godfather of Lo-fi until a consensus is reached, and readers of this page are welcome to contribute to the discussion. Jay (talk) 07:59, 22 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]