Carrying The Torch

Since J. Dilla's death in 2006, we have seen an incredible number of official and unofficial projects released out of respect of the late, great "King Of Beats." This is one that hits closest to home. Dilla's brother Illa J has been working on his own music for a while, even before his brother's death. Many of you may remember Illa for rapping out his brother's parts for the "Won't Do" video. Shit, I know of couple of ya'll had to do a double take and see if that was actually Dilla himself. But because of his brother's untimely death, they never had the opportunity to release anything together until now.

With the help of Dante Ross and his legendary label, Delicious Vinyl, Illa will be releasing his official debut album, "Yancey Boys." Get this, all the beats on this album, are ALL UNRELEASED, never before heard, Dilla beats from his The Ummah period (think of the sound he created for The Pharcyde's Labcabincalifornia, and Tribe's Beats, Rhymes, Life, and The Love Movement, that is what this album is going to sound like).

Now, before you pass judgement and say "Oh, he's just trying to cash in off his brother's name and legacy," take a listen to the first single, "We Here." Lyrically, musically, sonically, Illa J has created that same vibe his brother would gave to this record. Shit, he almost sounds like Dilla when he sings the hook (kinda sounds like his Dilla singing on Com's Nag Champa). I think big brother would be proud. The b-side to the track will be a calabo with Guilty Simpson entitled, "R U Listening," which is an ole to their hometown of Detroit. Both will be released as singles this Monday, August 25th.


Illa J- We Here (Produced By J. Dilla) (Download Link)

And on that note... I'm out.