Soul Claps & Salutes To Dilla Vol.1

I must have told this story a million times. And if you know me personally, you most likely know it by heart because I have told it too many times, lol! Pretty much, in a couple of sentences, this is how it went down...
1) Boy wins first prize and travels to D.C.
2) In D.C, boy gives a presentation that offically introduces his dream to the world's main stage.
3)Boy is amazed by this reality and representation of Black pride and unity among his fellow competitors. Something that was almost foreign where he was from.
4) Boy meets girl. Boy falls for girl... hard (But that's a WHOLE 'nother story).
5) Boy leaves D.C a changed man for many various reasons.

In between this story, the boy decide to go record shopping while waiting for the D.C Metro to arrive. Boy found a Sam Goody in the lobby and decided to spend some doe. Boy was on his way to pay for another CD (it was Rhymefest's as a matter of fact), and had a thought about a hard to find CD for him. That's when he walked in to the "S" section and found an album he had been looking for, Slum Village's "Fantastic Vol. 2." Boy paid for the CD, and retreats to his hotel room to vibe to his new purchase. What he would hear would change him forever.

Deep Kicks, Crisp Snares, erotic, but smooth samples and keyboards (Rhodes to be exact), and basslines that felt like that were dancing within his headphones. It was funky, it was smooth, it was soulful, it was a sound that the boy could identify with. For although he was from the West Coast and loved the G-Funk sound, it did not fit his personality completely. In the mist of finally starting to composing beats on his own, the boy had found his favorite producer to study and learn from.


My story with J. Dilla is to a degree, identical to others, "Get the fuck outta here!!! Dilla did that? I have been listening to him for years, I didn't know he produced (fill in a Dilla joint from one of your favorite aritst here)." Being a fan of Com, Tribe, The Roots, Busta, S.V, De La, Badu, Kweli, Mos, Pharcyde, and countless others, who knew that one producer was the life line. The true torch barrier of "The Native Tongues" from '95 until his death. And his impacted the way I now listen, dissect, and compose music.

Furthermore, was his love for this the music. His love for the culture. Shit, many argue his greatest work was made while laying on his death bed (Dounts). A true warrior with beats, a true warrior on the mic, and a true warrior for life. Jay Dee was that.


Sometimes I do kick myself in the ass for not realizing earlier of Dilla greatness, but I'm it came late, than ever at all. Many can where the T-Shirts, many can try to sound hip in coversations, but I can honestly state that J Dilla Changed My Life. And ironicly, that change came within one of the most imporant trips and weeks of my life.


From the bottom of my heart, Soul Claps, Salutes, Much Love, and Thank You.