For those who dont know, James Dewitt Yancey , better known to the music world as J. Dilla or Jay Dee, is one of the most influential music producers of the current generation of hip hop and soul. His discography is huge and is best known for his work with Slum Village, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Bilal, and Common but major fans know that he has also worked with Guru, Jay-Z, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and Busta Rhymes amongst many many others. The disease Lupus took the life of this musical innovator all too soon prompting music lovers all over the world to celebrate each year with events including the annual offering of DC ♥ Dilla.
Earlier this week the 6th Annual DC ♥ Dilla took place at the 9:30 Club. If the club wasnt sold out it was damn near at capacity. Even though the performance aspect of the show started after 10PM (no bueno for Baltimore people with 9-5s), DJ Two Tone greeted guests upon their arrival with a glorious ALL VINYL mix of songs produced by Dilla. He set the vibe as I, DJ YZO & Gerald of Art Vs. Commerce had a great time hanging out.
The show began with an introduction from FREE of the Big Tyga Show who introduced the host for the evening, Grap Luva. After a heart felt moment of silence, the crowd was welcomed by Common and his memories of Dilla.
The night started with Maimouna Youseff doing a cover of Common's "Time Traveling" and of course her beautiful voice translated the track magnificently.
Backing Maimouna and all of the other performers was the band Jon Lane & The Players as well as back ground vocalist Alison Carney and J Hill. Let me note that these two vocalist are beasts on lead but are so versatile that they can play the back magnificently by being heard but not overpowering the performer(s) they are accompanying... not many artists are as graceful as these two when allowing someone else to step to the front.
Another notable performer of the night was Flex Matthews performing De La Soul's "Stakes Is High". He ROCKED it! Had I not known these songs were cover I would have swore up and down this was his song...he took it and ran.
Awthentik did an excellent job with J Dilla's "Crushin' (YEEAAAAA)" ...he was so into it he eventually had me singin the hook while chillin with fellow Soulcialista Eff Dot Jay.
Labtekwon along with Emmanuel "Manny" Lewis and Gods'illa were other highlights to the night leading up to the performance I and most of the crowd had been waiting for:
The Pharcyde!
Of course The Pharcyde performed classics like "Passin Me By" and Dilla produced "Runnin Away" and my evening was set. To see live a staple of good hip hop and to hear them at an event that was paying homage to an innovator that still has a vault of goodies to be discovered was an excellent end to a night full of friends and good music.
To view more pic taken by Nocturnal Charm click HERE
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