On what would have been the 40th birthday of iconic Hip-Hop producer J Dilla, aka Jay Dee, our Orlando homie DJ ROD-One (@rod_one) alongside BK Dusty Fingers is throwing a “Thank You Jay” producer battle, with sounds provided by the illustrious Rice & Beans Soundsystem.
ROD-One threw down this dope Dilla Tribute mix in advance of the milestone, and he’s gonna make it real funky for you (with a very nice Free DL!):
Jay Dee, aka J Dilla, is well-known to Hip-Hop heads around the world, and his productions are some of the most highly regarded tracks in Hip-Hop. Our brethren in Orlando have steadily paid tribute to the late beatmaster, and on his 40th birthday, ROD-One is getting down big time.
I got to catch up with the homie ROD-One at The Bboy Spot (@thebboyspot) in Orlando this past weekend, and this DJ has got some Dilla diamonds coming up on Feb. 7, but you should hear it directly from him:
So what exactly is happening on Feb. 7?
a b-day celebration for one of the best to ever touch a drum machine, Jay Dee, J Dilla, Dill Withers, Dilla Dawg! Act Like you Know?! At Spacebar (formerly covert skate shop) in Orlando’s milk district .
When did you first encounter J Dilla’s music? What does Dilla mean to you?
Honestly I started really payin attention around the pharcyde period… Labcal days. I never forget a neighbor named Jeff Goodwin let me here a few tapes. Labcal was in his stash and so was Beats Rhymes and Life… Dilla represents the last real pure period in hip hop music as I know it as it pertains to my life. He never stopped, thru sickness and health issues. Beyond inspirational, he really embodies all the sound he put folks up on. Turn it up!
What Dilla joints should bboys and bgirls hear, and what should they know about Dilla?
He never quit expressing his love for the beat. So for any lover of anything b-girl…aspiring writer…aspiring poet, that kid buying his first record…remember to always Love what you do and don’t ever stop. As you express that love it will be received and returned always, maybe not by everyone but by the folks who understand or “get it”.
What are your favorite Dilla joints?
Honestly…my top 5 joints.
1. Jay Dee – F*** the Police
2. Common – Heat (produced and featuring Jay Dee
3. Slum Village – Players/Raise it Up (produced by Jay Dee) *first joint of his I copped on wax
4. Elhzi – Come Get it (produced by Jay Dee)5. Black Star – Little Brother (produced by Jay Dee)
I mean Dilla’s passing definitely has immortalized his sound and his music but music is all about opinion and who’s listening….but if we are talking about caliber of just sample based producers…
Premier, Pete Rock, Lord Finesse, Kdef…Large Pro.
Rest assured, ROD-One is one of the dopest dudes I ever got to play alongside back in the days, not just for turntablist skill, but music choice and style, all that will have you saying “Damn that DJ made my day.”
For further study (and to get bizzy) dig ROD-One’s Lunar Cypher mix, an all-star jam that became an instant classic on RadioBboy.com:
Make sure to Follow ROD-One’s Soundcloud and Like the brother on Facebook for future funk!
