“… HOLD TIGHT! don’t ever give up in the fight,
GRACE! can only come into the sight,
SOUL POWER! it ignites like the sun…”

(Slum Village, Fantastic Vol.2, 2000)

As we approach the date of one of hip-hop’s greatest losses, updated merchandise, fundraisers and J Dilla anniversary events are spilling out from all corners of the globe. This is not only to commemorate someone who is often referred to as one of the greatest hip-hop producers of all time but also to raise awareness of lupus, the fatal disease that unfortunately claimed his life on 10th Feb 2006 (3 days after his 32nd birthday).

“Systemic lupus erythematosus SLE or lupus, is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease that can affect any part of the body. As occurs in other autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body’s cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage.

SLE most often harms the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system. The course of the disease is unpredictable, with periods of illness (called flares) alternating with remissions. The disease occurs nine times more often in women than in men, especially between the ages of 15 and 50, and is more common in those of non-European descent.”

(www.wikipedia.org)

Find out more about lupus and what you can do to make a difference on J Dilla Project’s MySpace which has a variety of links and info.

In saying all this, there is still a genius of a producer who’s work requires celebration and his legacy, continuation. Here are three dope suggestions as to how to we can all participate in making it happen:

1. The J Dilla Foundation. After being shut down for some years, the J Dilla Foundation was relaunched this year by Ma Dukes aka Maureen Yancey. Their mission is to encourage ‘progressive music education’ in schools and to ’support music enthusiasts with the tools they require to become successful within the entertainment industry.’

2. The Doctor’s Orders Presents J-Dilla Changed My Life. This is tonight at Kings Cross’ Scala. Contributing a minimum of £5 at the door will go to both the J Dilla Foundation and Lupus UK. This event will be pretty rammed but you can expect all the Dilla classics and extras. Massive vibe with the most Jay Dee die-hard, party harders from all over the UK. If you would like to make further donations, there will be all kinds of merchandise being sold there too.

3. There have been numerous Jay Dee re-workings and remixes building up to his anniversary, however the best contribution I’ve heard so far is from the stuff that the Roots have put together. It must be pretty hard attempting to re-work the ultimately skillful re-worker; however refreshingly for us, they took on some of his rarer beats. Obviously as very close friends of the artist (especially ?uestlove), their genuine and personal renditions are tasteful and beyond magnificent. Click here to listen. (A personal favourite is ‘Make em NV‘)

Fan-tas-tic!

J Dilla MySpace

These tracks* have been overheating my system of late. Classics and future classics – all massive sounds:

1. I’ll Stay – Funkadelic

>> Standing on the Verge of Getting it On (Westbound Records, 1974)

2. Black Wonders of the World – Billy Paul

>> Got my Head on Straight (Philadelphia International Records, 1976)

3. Friends from Rio 1 Featuring Celia Vaz (Pressure Drop Remix) – Francisco Cat

>> Brazilika (Far Out Recordings, 2009)

4. Requiem for a DJ – K2

>> Soul Heaven Presents Kenny Dope & Karizma (Soul Heaven Records, 2007)

5. Beyond – Mr Scruff

>> Trouser Jazz (Ninja Tune, 2002)

6. The Three Faces of Balal – Yusef Lateef

>> The Grandfather Paradox (BBE, 2009)

7. Look at California – Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly

>> Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly (Capitol Records, 1977)

8. Aggression – Eric Dolphy

>> Eric Dolphy at the Five Spot Vol. 2 (Prestige, 1961)

9. Look of Love (J-Dilla Remix) – Slum Village

>> Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1 (Counterflow Records, 1997)

10. Auditorium – Mos Def Featuring Slick Rick

>> The Ecstatic (Downtown Records, 2009)

*Listed in no particular order.

I promised myself these pages wouldn’t turn into a throwaway youtube and picture pasting board and I stick by my promise…..but when I found this SV footage of an interview they did (minus Dilla) circa 2000 I had to share it….RIP Baatin….

Those of you that know will know that Titus ‘Baatin’ Glover formerly of Slum Village passed to the next realm on July 31st 2009. Because of all the work to get this site up, I didn’t manage to write a tribute at the time. I was going to leave it and just pay my personal respects but that decision just kept niggling at my conscience.

Baatin, T3, Jay Dee et al literally blew me away when I heard that initial ‘Fantastic‘ ish emanating from magnetic tape. I still reference them now (much to my peoples annoyance) in my quest for finding MCs who understand that the rhyme is all about the rhythm. Clearly Baatin knew this, delivering lazy, yet perfectly timed verses over ridiculous beats with all the rhythmic skill of a master drummer. Known for bringing the spirituality to the Detroit Hip Hop scene, Baatin left SV in 2002 coinciding with his being diagnosed with schizophrenia. As most of you know, this was not the end as he continued to make apperances with the group and actually returned full time to record their upcoming album ‘Villa Manifesto‘ due for release this September.

Although I understand that we all must pass when it’s time, I still moves me greatly to know that a brother who was , and still is such an inspiration to me no longer walks this earth. The reasons for his death remain unknown but there is speculation that he may have suffered complications linked to crack cocaine use. Whatever the reason, he will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all that he touched. Rest In Peace Baatin.

The folks over at
Basement Sessions put together a sweet mix of classic Slum material and juicy collabs featuring Baatin. Download it here

Lastly, here’s a reminder of why we loved and continue to love SV….