classic recollection…. damn near inspiring

i always like these moments

Rest In Power Dilla.

…for practice… damn… i only wish my bona fide sessions were ALMOST in the same universe as his.

argue ALL u want. jay dee was the one!

For PRACTICE?

KING. AMONG. MEN.

just HUGE….were can you get the track……would love to have it….

that is def some real shit! check out some ol school classsic mixtapes at http://www.mixtapesite.com

Still jamming that classic Dill Withers ish. R.I.P

This track is ccraaaazzzzzyyy can i download this somewhere?

Practice? You talkin` about Practice? Wow,that beat is one of if not my favorites.I still to this day,i am mystified by this beat. This is why Dilla was called a genius. Rest in peace. Dilla Dog Forever!

This is ridiculous … beat is dope , but CMON! … theres a lot of music to sample on that record without voice , like Questlove said he just a STAN , that shit is mad overrated … producers do that all the time…

my lil’ bro was into blackstarr heavy. i remember him playing this track and tellin me it reminds him of me puttin him on to de la soul, tribe, blacksheep, etc. i checked the credits and seen dillas name then i showed him the production credits on beats,rhymes,and life. (the ummah) and told him this cat from slum village is responsible for most of the real tunes we were checking for at the time. once we got a hold on to fantastic vol.2 it was clear; dilla was OUR hip hop ambassador; sonically speaking.
REST IN PEACE MR. YANCEY! PAY JAY ALL DAY u lazy ass show-ducers.

focused,

if you listen to JP’s version and Jay Dee’s version, you’ll see that the challenge isn’t just in finding the sounds, it’s in *arranging* the sounds in a way that’s JAMMING. JP’s version is competent, but Jay’ Dee’s version is ROCKING. Even better than what the great Pete Rock put together on one of his strongest production moments ever, “The Main Ingredient” CD.

Thanks for sharing, as a beat maker i can appreciate the discipline. this is inspirational!

great story- i love these stories- long live quest and the spirit of Dilla is always around us!

overrated?! can you do it?!

post up a link to your music page so we can see how easy it is.

R.I.P DILLA

THIS IS A GOOD READ

This is one of my favorite Beats by dilla,there are so many. It just goes to show you how great of an artist he was. His Music will continue for all time.

The only thing better than hearing a classic song is learning the process by which it was created. I know a lot of people think Dilla is overrated but…I just don’t give a fuck. Dilla is the producer that showed me that hip-hop is bigger than itself. It’s about being inspired by various genres. He’s coming back. Too much unfinished business.

Wow, that truly is humility at it’s best. I would not have the patience to listen to a whole record trying to seek out the right sample.

Amazing…..

this should be the new Black Star

RIP*

Pay attention to this beat.It is a taste of what Donuts became to be. Yes Focus,producers do the chopping all the time. But never have they really done it like Dilla.

This was A wonderful read……. and its Amazing what he did to that record….. The 1st person that inspired me to realy chop up samples was T. The Beat Specialist…. more known as SlopFunkDust……. The beats I heard from T. when I was still a young one where crazy…….. the way he flipped samples was a preview of what dilla made very very popular, even tho it has been done by so many before him…. but yea…. wow…great read.

Thanks for that.

You gotta love these little stories of how something actually came to be.

Oh, and focused, please let us hear some of your music. I bet it’s overrated.

What Pete Rock album is Petes interlude from. And who is JP??

who is JP??

thank you ?uest…im in dc zoning out on that thanksgiving friday watching smackdown and doing nothing…and i came across this wonderfull-ness…

God bless u Dilla…

Great storytelling.

great story, once again exemplifying Dilla’s legendary status. genius.
for those wondering, “Little Brother” was featured on “The Hurricane” soundtrack
and as for pete rock, someone correct me if im wrong but that interlude showed up on “soul brotha beats” right?

One of my favorite Black Star songs, and definitely RIP Dilla. That being said, I think it is hard to call ANYBODY the “best ever…” I do think Dilla is in the discussion though, but that discussion has to include Dre, Pete, Primo, etc…

questloves waxing on dilla is insightful as fuck and these stories are off the hook

So nice. What’s so crazy is how dope of an MC he was; I’ve bought, scratched up and bought Fantastic v. 2 so many times that I feel absolutely fine about recently downloading it for the freeski. But that album is so on fire it’s hard to describe it to someone who doesn’t already know.

*Cues “Raise It Up.”*

the real n the raw……

wow.

I was in the studio recording this joint. There is actually one more piece to the beat that didn’t make this version of the song.

Yet another prime example of why this man was the legend that he was. Thank you for the recounting of the genius, brillance and integrity of one James Dewitt Yancey.

man this shit will NEVER get old.

INSPIRED ***Making a beat right now, man I miss Jay a lot.

Met uncle Herm, and kicked it for a bit here in LA. When I asked him how it felt to know his nephew touched so many lives he said something that will stick with me til I pass away.

He said “He’s touching MY life everyday, Jay changed my life”

WOW, his own blood, humbled by his genious.

Dilla lives.

dont know how he did it … so I’ll just let it be amazing & leave it at that.

I miss him DAMN I miss him!

one of my favorite-est songs, i get an ill reaction from folks everytime i play it like, ‘WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT’ type ish. Dilla, I’m still experiencing more shocking moments courtesy of the dude. Ridiculous. RIP …..

focused
Nov 27, 2008 10:03
This is ridiculous … beat is dope , but CMON! … theres a lot of music to sample on that record without voice , like Questlove said he just a STAN , that shit is mad overrated … producers do that all the time…

i knew someone would have something negative to snark about this story. and the fact that you just HAD to add your two cents in tells me i was correct in my some people just dont wanna see it. (of course i can see the retort of “but i said “shit is ridic…..i said it was dope, so how could i be hating?”

so im not going to get into the back and forward of shit cause the point is lost. and i also think its disrespectful to dilla’s memory to even fall for this bating (obviously you are a beatmaker and you feel as though either a) “not THAT big of a deal” or b) YOU could do better.

because the intricate chopping (i used the jp version to show you what it sounds like simply because jp’s samples aren’t decayed and thus you can HEAR the numerous EDITS used so you can have an idea the he damn near used a GAZZIlion pads to make this beat. the fact the dilla’s sounds so seemless shows you just how much work he put into cooking up this gem (and mind you this shit was done by HAND, now adays i got mad programs that help you chop and truncate and decay samples just by a command button.)

there are cats who chop shit up lovely ALL the time props to nicolay and 9th and black milk, cats from houston too numerous to name, cats in dallas, the demo of pac div i had before they signed, sheeeit even kanye’s
“spaceship” is a classic chop albeit not as intricate but when you can turn a song into something entirely different that is some special shit……(im writing this on the fly cause im late to airport so there are 20 cats i overlooked)

but i’ll see your “aint no thing” and raise you a “well show me dude”

show me a beat made in 1998/99 that required at least HALF of the pads used for “little brother” from the same RECORD.

you could say “oh well “night of the living baseheads” had shit all over the place.

but im talking ONE RECORD. in which the parts were chopped to micro bits to the point shit was spread out over the course of about 10 pads. (not even the 17-20 pads i saw with my own eyes, but HALF that)

the only producer that had dill losing REAL sleep was madlib. that was the only time ever i got a call AFTER midnight from jay EVER ever EVER.

(he called electric lady like 2am told me to get D and put speakerphone on….and with the same passion that im stanning him he went on for like 10 mins about lootpack and madlib. and even said “i dont think you two are even gonna get it cause to the naked ear its gonna sound regular…but trust me this cat is cut from a cloth so different it aint funny yo….he makes me wanna retire or work harder (jay and pharrell are the ONLY cats i know who kept business hours when beatmaking: they get up at 7am and make music like its a real job….take a lunch break come back and if they were STILL in the studio after 7 then that shit was a MAJOR event in their lives. all work STOPPED at 7pm for both these cats….so again for dill to be making beats at 2am was a major “oh shit….he really must be fucked up about THIS shit)—

actually i was insulted when he hung up like (to D)

“wait…is he saying that we are mere mortals who wont get this shit?!?! dag man…i dunno how to take it

*family guy cut edit to the next day*

(at fat beats paying for 4 lootpack records…….at electric lady listening and like…..

“hmmm i mean its cool…..its no “fantastic” but *shrug*”***

so again. with all due respect mr “cats do this all the time”

show me the cat in 1998, who was doing this all the time and ill show you a drummer who will gladly miss the plane and blog about it with a blog the size of the koran

***dear madlib no disrespect what so ever. i wrote that for comic effect

thanks for stopping by ?uest lol

Did I read right that Dilla and Pete Rock re did half of Mecca & The Soul Brother???!!! Where is this??? Why isn’t on every iPod in the world, especially mine???

Real genius and humility seem to go hand-in-hand. Ya see, a real genius let’s another highly respected professional (?) speak to his genius. Real genius is never self-annointed or annointed by someone who wouldn’t know true genius if he tripped over it. Dilla, wow, I can’t put into words what you did for the genre I love. You left a body of work that will be disected and analyzed for years to come bruh. It will have to be explained and broken downto us by your diciples. Thanks Peter!

In regards to what focused said and ?uest’s rebuttal, I think that many of us (I’m talkin about the late bloomers, the mid 20’s and under crowd) have been too spoiled with #1, the technology available to us now, and #2, the sheer number of copy-cat producers who try and sound like Dilla…

It is impossible for me to go back 10 years and understand what it was like to hear Jay do what he was doing…nowadays, we have our programs and effects and youtube videos and all that stuff that makes it sooooooo easy to figure out (or at least do a decent job of emulating) what Dilla did and come out the other end saying, “hmmmn, ANYBODY coulda figured that out…”

The copy-cats we have now are a result of Dilla’s genius…I think alot of us can too easily lose the perspective on what he did in relationship to WHEN he was doing it…

hahaha! wow….awesome reply from ?uestlove.
alotta dudes who post on okayplayer now in days
are just young cats trying to get put on anyway.
all i can say about that is….dont talk about it….be about it.

and if its the real….you will get noticed.

peace.

I just don’t get. I do’t understand how this cat could just hear that shit in the music. He listened to that cut for 40 some odd minutes KNOWING

I just don’t get. I do’t understand how this cat could just hear that shit in the music. He listened to that cut for 40 some odd minutes KNOWING

I just don’t get. I don’t understand how this cat could just hear that shit in the music. He listened to that cut for 40 some odd minutes KNOWING that there was something in it. I want some of THAT.

I wonder what the black market value of Dilla’s ears would be.

Not that I advocate grave robbing or the desecration of a legend. I’m just saying.

…

*ahem*

Yeah, but the cat’s a legend for a reason.

dilla was too good for this planet.

This track is on the Hurricane movie soundtrack. The Hurricane movie is about Ruben “Hurricance” Carter.

Peace and Blessings!!

damm this beat is ill.

Does anyone know where it can be downloaded??

also im not tryin to bite on dilla (it is kinda hard not to) but im wondering how he flipped George CLinton -Atomic Dog on Beej n Dem. I listened over and over and it just doesn’t make any sense.
?uest if you got the story on that one too that would be dope . haha

Oh man! That patience shit is hardest, cause niggas want auto hot. Dilla was the man! RIP. Good look, ?uest and F Dub.

Yo ?uest… When are you gonna write a book about Dilla???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Dude i co-friggidy-sign with Flames…..

Get that book going!!

Wowwww Peep out FRANK NITT

http://WWW.FRANKNITTDETROITCITY.BLOGSPOT.COM

That was deep Pete Prolly didnt even know that he was Dilla’s Idol Woww

Great story…And yeah, when’s Questo on Dilla gonna drop? That iddish would be INSANE…

Damn this story is bitter sweet…I was probably one of the first people in my circle to have this song…Thanks for keeping me inspired to carry on with music ?uest!!!! Much Love!!!

Peace

Lyrikally Ill aka Mecca Soul

Great story. It’s sad that today’s hip hop (oh I mean rap ) fan can’t even hear genius, and are to ignorant to have learned the history of hip hop before they speak. This is the biggest problem in hip hop. Biting, stealing ryhmes, copy catting, etc. All I can say is I can’t wait for the day to return where if you are even a little bit simular to any one else, you are booed, and disrespected. Peace to Dilla, and the legacy he has left for us to follow. Not just a great producer, but a humble, and respectful person as well. May his legacy live forever…..

Great story. It’s sad that today’s hip hop (oh I mean rap ) fan can’t even hear genius, and are to ignorant to have learned the history of hip hop before they speak. This is the biggest problem in hip hop. Biting, stealing ryhmes, copy catting, etc. All I can say is I can’t wait for the day to return where if you are even a little bit simular to any one else, you are booed, and disrespected. Peace to Dilla, and the legacy he has left for us to follow. Not just a great producer, but a humble, and respectful person as well. May his legacy live forever…..

?uest Broke it all the way down…………….

CHECK OUT FRANK NITTY
http://WWW.FRANKNITTDETROITCITY.BLOGSPOT.COM

WoW!!!!

Damn…

Listening and going back to listen again almost made me cry. This is brilliant. Thanks for sharing. Art for art sake. I miss that…

Man, this is now my favorite dilla story–bumpin the cold blooded story to second place. RIP Dilla. The greatest.

I agree with you EYEJAMMY… man im chilling with this big ass smile on my face and this is why hip hop is the love of my life so i can only imagine how ?uest feels remembering and retelling it. thanks for sharing with us. there are certain people who are true representain of the soul that touch us in unforgettable ways no matter how long or short thier physical presence.

In memory of
TOLSE STP IFK (L.A.SFV)
and
ROB ONE CBS
and
my lil “bird”
Tori
did more 9 short years than many of us hope to accomplish in a 100. truest words ive ever spoke. i miss you.

SoLChest beat me to it

http://WWW.FRANKNITTDETROITCITY.BLOGSPOT.COM

FRANK NITT KEEP DOING YA THANG MAN DETROIT IN THE HOUSE……………………..

that was the 3rd time I’ve read that; twice on okp, once here…….man, that shit is official.

wow

That story makes me appreciate that song even more now…. thanks for sharing…

fuckin bananas. great read.

dilla RIP

This is why I hold Questlove in such high regard, for these experiences and the knowledge shared.

Thank you for this.

And for those asking who JP is,
he’s just an ordinary cat who used to post regular on OKP, and like many on there, was talented at crafting his own beats.

Dilla was the truth!! What ?uest wrote about testifies to Dilla’s visionary, disciplined and passioned practice of making music! only greatness can come from such dedication! we are all better off (musically and culturally) because of what this cat gave us sonically! Believe it!

sOuL
myspace.com/soul11525

I think what we cant miss sight of is the humility of Dilla. The essence of the story wasn’t only his genius but also the way the brotha carried himself. This is why he is respected and his work is loved, because his music made love to our souls.

PEACE

Great story! I love the conversation part

?uest: afford what? this shit is a miracle!!
dilla: nah man….like i dont want no tension. that’s my idol i dont wanna give off the impression that im trying to outshine him….

How much more humble could Dilla be?

good larwd

Very interesting.

I NEED THIS TRACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-signed “missing hip hop”

Crazy. Dilla’s life story is like the Star Wars epics! You come in at Episode 4, then all of a sudden you go back and see the influence from the joints you thought belong to this or that artist and then it all comes together. Great story, Questo– Sa-Ra most recently jumped on “Pete’s” Interlude producing a joint for Chaccho and Flako with this cat named Aqeel on the hook, called “The Bone Song” (no explanation needed.) Quintessential Sa-Ra.

aight how d fuk did blakstar get it without dillas permision ?

DILLA= THE BEST. AND EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BLOG PROVES WHY. PURE GENIUS AND HUMILITY! TRULLY AND INPIRATION.

BIG UP TO QUEST FO HOLDIN IT DOWN AND LETTIN’ MISTER “PRODUCERS DO THIS ALL THE TIME” KNOW WHAT THE REAL DEAL IS!

REK

I always find it interesting to hear stories like this. We hear the music but you know a story is somewhere behind the genius of the music of Pete Rock, Dilla, Dre, Premo, RZA and so many other dope producers of our culture.

Thanks for sharing this Ahmir

One luv
Sean-Toure’
http://www.myspace.com/stoure

Frank Nitt of FranknDank “The Concert Hall EP” available online now!!!! the legacy continues, detroit shit 4sho, trust me!!!!

Chopping is an ArtForm.

Producers are painters. I am a painter.

Dilla is my Bob Ross!

Happy little hats with thunderous kicks and pinecone bursting snares.

I would never take a Bob Ross painting and try and sell it as my own. However, I would try to incorporate his methods and ideas to use them to shape my landscapes.

My scenery is not seen but heard.

With that said, in 2008 it is wonderful to hear art that has been chopped into 20 1 second sections.

Hearing that in 98…..Incredible. I didn’t hear it personally until about 00/01.

Props to Dill and Love!

P&L
BB

Love Philly since Mitch Thomas on DAS…and TV (ask Dick Clark)… Delaware Valley…Long Live Clifford.!

Love Detroit , so sincere! The heritage is so long…and its deep too

Love Black music to the point that that close encounters of the 3rd kind jawhn makes sence…

sub interval particles

Peace eternal to Dilla
? is a straight treasure yoop-yoop on Lay it Down “Al Green can sing to dat” …3rd person

Devin Beck need to rock-rock on

Ey ,
If there’s anyone just anyone that is thinking that producers are doin this all the time EAT U’RE SHIT!`!
Cause than u’re aint diggin it.
other while this shit is groovin as hell!

Rest in Peace Dilla

What sample did he use?

anyone??

R.I.P. Dilla!

Amazing Brother from Detroit! And the dedication to the art of producing, wow kind of blows your mind away. My four year old son is in love with the song too…

Big Up’s to Dilla.

^The Sample is from Roy Ayers cuzo…

Yo I remember when The Roots sent a package w/ the Things fall apart & Like water for Choc posters & other promotional shit… Anyways in the box was a box of singles from the Hurricane soundtrack which had this song “Little Brother” & the very first time I heard it I did a fucking backflip!!! I still love this track the beat has such a great feel. I always thought it was a loop / Man was I wrong!! -”just for practice” DAMN!!! -Spon of Beat Fanatic

The only positive with these days and times having SO MANY wannabe beatmakers is:

that it makes it the norm to have thousands of people try to analyze, scrutinize, critique, admire, and ultimately honor the work of the musical god, Dilla–and raises awareness and recognition for WHY Dilla was a musical god.

Dilla…oh my god…I was bumping this for an hour straight..it took me about 30 minutes into the session to realize how impossible that beat was to make. It hit me and I freaked. I was just in absolute shock.

Dilla…I cant wait for heaven…Im gona hear some good shit when me and all your loyal fans get there.

From
- A True Dilla Fan

I was in Augusta, Ga. when Pete Rock &CL Smooth did a show to promote their 2nd album. I bought the tape and was just zoned out when the interlude after “in the house”. I kept playing it over and over again, and me being a DJ I was tryin’ to find out who pete sampled this from, being a musician wanted to try to recreate that(i still have that same tape). I ended up going back home in California and walked into this record store (on Kst. mall in Sacramento) and they was playing Roy Ayers, same part in pete rock’s interlude. I flipped i try to buy that record but the clerk said it was his copy ( i think he was lying,lol). Anyways i hear little brother by Blackstar and i have to give it up to Dilla, the brotha was serious about his craft. RIP j dilla & Jeff Eason.

PEACE,FROM THE BAY.

DILLA = LIVES (THROUGH THE MUSIC HE GIVES) THAT’S THE BIZ.

COME VIBE;
KIN CAMELL(GOOGLE THAT)
MYSPACE.COM/KINSNSPACE
KIN CAMELL@IMEEM.COM
TWITTER.COM/KINSTWITT

PEACE TO YOU & YOURS.