Rob Mitchell reinterprets hip-hop with Abstract Orchestra
Rob Mitchell is the creator, composer, music director and producer of the Abstract Orchestra. The Abstract Orchestra lives in the spirit of hip-hop culture and reimagines samples, and covers songs by producers like Madlib and J Dilla in the context of a live band. Mitchell and the Abstract Orchestra will be celebrating the 20th year […]
Slum Village’s Young RJ and T3 talk about legacy and Detroit music
The legendary rap group Slum Village means so many things to so many people. The group which originally consisted of the iconic producer James “J Dilla” Yancy, Titus “Baatin” Glover and T3 has had many incarnations over the past 20 years. J Dilla died in 2006 after battling lupus. When Dilla died, Young RJ took […]
Donavan Glover explains vision behind Amp Fiddler’s ‘Return of the Ghetto Fly’
Donavan Glover is one of the most talented directors from Detroit. He tells stories through his videos and keeps culture at the forefront of his work. His latest visual, “Return of the Ghetto Fly,” by Detroit’s resident godfather Amp Fiddler is thick with Detroit swagger and substance. He considers himself astute to the creative process, […]
Dwele talks love, honesty and Detroit soul
Dwele is a musician who has the ability to cross cultures and genres via his breadth of skill. This Detroit native continues to deliver a soulful and highly relatable sound that is soothing to the ear. He has worked with everyone including the late J Dilla, Slum Village, and Kanye West. We spoke to him […]
Detroit pays homage to the late, great J Dilla with ‘Jaydee Made This’ tour
Detroit’s beloved James “Jay Dee” Yancey, a.k.a J Dilla, a.k.a John Doe, will always be remembered for being one of the most legendary producers in hip-hop history period. Dilla’s talent, passion, and work ethic are still undeniably unmatched. Hip-hop lovers can’t forget his timeless and immense skills in creating some of the best songs ever […]
Young RJ tackles relationship affairs in visual for ‘Right Now’
Detroit artist Young RJ has a lot to celebrate. His single, “Motion” featuring Joyner Lucas is buzzing heavily among hip-hop fans, and his album, Blaq Royalty, has the No. 1 spot on the independent rap charts. Let him tell it, it’s all a part of the Detroit grind that yields success when used wisely. Directed by […]
Michigan creatives A-Minus and DaG connect on ‘Get Mama Rich EP’
In an age where digestible content is becoming the norm, Detroit MC A-Minus, and Michigan super-producer DaG catered to the times with their six-track EP, Get Mama Rich. Both A-Minus and DaG have collaborated with top-tier talent (Slum Village, BJ The Chicago Kid, Guilty Simpson), and now they’ve joined forces for music’s sake. Soul music is […]
Young RJ goes for abstract concepts in ‘Motion’ visual
Detroit’s Young RJ is here to bless us with his new video for the single, “Motion.” The groovy track is on Young RJ’s new album, Blaq Royalty, alongside replay-worthy singles like, “Huh,” “Wait” and “Issues.” Black-and-white imagery and backdrops paint the picture for the video canvas. Young RJ and Joyner Lucas both break bread over bars, […]
Young RJ readies debut album, ‘Blaq RoyalT’ with new single, ‘Motion’
Young RJ is a Detroit rap legend with more gas left in his tank to burn. Legendary producer and disk jockey Statik Selektah and Atlantic Records signee Joyner Lucas teamed up with the Slum Village member for “Motion.” “Motion” is another stellar single (“Huh,” “Wait,” “Issues”) that RJ has dropped from his upcoming debut album, […]
T3 of Slum Village is now ‘Trace’; talks J Dilla and new single, ‘Turn Me Up’
T3 of the world renowned rap group Slum Village is embarking upon his solo career in a major way. T3 is the only remaining original member of the group Slum Village, having been preceded in death by the late, great J Dilla and Baatin, and he’s kept the group’s legacy alive in the years since […]
Blaaqgold talks J Dilla, Slum Village, and the technique of sampling
Blaaqgold is an architect in the manipulation of sounds and samples. Originally from Detroit, Blaaqgold grew up surrounded by the soulful sounds of The Temptations, The Stylistics, J Dilla, and more. Check out some of the excerpts from our interview. On his rise as an in-demand producer: Starting out as a producer, I experienced a […]
J Dilla pays homage to Detroit on posthumous release ‘Motor City’
The year 2017 has been a great one for music releases. From Big Sean dropping I Decided at the top of the year, to most recently, Kendrick Lamar dropping the genre-shifting DAMN to critical acclaim, there is no room for talk of hip-hop music being a dying art form. In the past few years, many projects have been released […]
DJ Mel Wonder puts a spell on you
From birth, the stars aligned to create DJ Mel Wonder’s destiny. Born Melanie Marlena Jackson, her middle name comes from Marlena Shaw, a jazz singer who is often sampled in hip hop music. Jackson, who resembles Nina Simone, was raised around music, a history that made her future in the industry fate. Rolling out resumes our Fierce […]
Amp Fiddler talks early years, J Dilla and new album, ‘Motor City Booty’
Joseph “Amp” Fiddler is a Detroit music legend. With a career spanning over 30 years, he’s worked and collaborated with musical giants such as J Dilla, Prince, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Raphel Saddiq and more. His blend of futuristic funk and soul puts him in a class of his own. He never hesitates to push […]
From ‘Next Lifetime’ to ‘Window Seat’: The 10 greatest Erykah Badu songs
Erykah Badu is one of the definitive artists of her generation and she’s consistently captured her fans’ interests and attention with albums and songs that showcase a fearlessly creative and endlessly inspired spirit.
Throwback Thursdays: Q-Tip ‘Let’s Ride’
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Mother of legendary producer J Dilla talks about his inclusion in the Smithsonian
More than likely there was not a single person happier with last month’s news that famed producer J Dilla’s equipment will be displayed at the Smithsonian than his mom, Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey. After making the announcement at the “D.C. Loves Dilla” tribute concert in the nation’s capital last month, Ma Dukes told The Huffington Post […]
J. Dilla’s equipment is headed to the Smithsonian
Legendary hip-hop producer J. Dilla has become of the genre’s most celebrated figures, and how a part of his legacy is being immortalized in America’s most famed museum. Much of Dilla’s equipment has been donated to the Smithsonian by his mother, Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey.
Phife Dawg, N’dea Davenport talk ‘D.C. Loves Dilla’
Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest has been one of Dilla’s loudest fans ever since they worked together in the mid-90s and he spoke to rolling out about why it’s important to celebrate his legacy with D.C. Loves DIlla