It was on this day in 2006, that Hip Hop lost one it's most revered and loved producers.
James "J Dilla" Yancey had been battling illness brought on by lupus and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a rare blood disease. His passing brought a renewed unity to the international Hip Hop community.
Dilla's career began slowly. He was a member of Slum Village and produced their acclaimed debut album Fan-Tas-Tic (Vol. 1) and their follow-up Fantastic, Vol. 2. He has now become highly regarded, most notably for the production of critically acclaimed albums by Common, Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest, and The Pharcyde.
In 1995, Pharcyde released LABCABINCALIFORNIA. This album was a huge success for them, much due to Dilla's production on the hit "Runnin."
What a great Hip Hop classic. Dilla looked to the sunshine sounds of Stan Getz on this sample. From the 1969 Verve release Jazz Samba Encore!, here is "Saudade Vem Correndo. "
Take a close listen at about 2:01.
