J Dilla Tribute Mix by DeeJaySee - 2 Hours of Classics

J Dilla was one of the most well-respected names in hop hop, producing and/or working with a huge range of artists including De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Common, The Pharcyde and Slum Village (member of). Sadly he died in February 2006 at the age of 32, leaving behind a huge musical legacy which has since spawned numerous releases of his work. NPR.org penned the following brief tribute piece which nicely sums up his career and passion for music.

Detroit musician James Yancey -- also known as J Dilla and Jay Dee -- was one of the music industry's most influential hip-hop artists, working for big-name acts like De La Soul, Busta Rhymes and Common. But after just a brief career in the spotlight, he died Friday February 10th 2006) at age 32 after battling an incurable blood disease and lupus.

The young producer's reputation for bare-bones, "old-school" production and rap styles earned him quick respect in the hip-hop community during the last six years. But his exposure to music came much earlier.

His mother Maureen Yancey, a former opera singer, says her husband was a jazz bassist and their home was filled with music. So it was no surprise when she saw in her son the first signs of a budding disc jockey. "Dilla's interest in music started at age 2," his mother says. "Dilla carried 45s on his arm and turntables to the park every day, to spin records — and this was in downtown Detroit."

Yancey got his start working in the studio for A Tribe Called Quest. When his own rap trio Slum Village found a hit with their album Fantastic, Vol. 2, Yancey quickly became one of hip-hop's most sought-after producers. A year later he put out a solo disc, Welcome 2 Detroit, featuring some of Detroit's underground rap talent.

DeeJaySee, whose other mix projects are also well worth a listen, has put together a very slick mix of Dilla-produced tracks. You could say, as previously posted in that Dwele/Quincy remix, 'this one's for all you lovers out there'...but to be honest with you if you like good music, particularly hip hop with a soulful edge and well-engineered beats, then this will be right up your street. Tracklisting, as always, in the comments. If you like what you hear in the player below then grab the mix for free here.

All J Dilla Produced Mix by deejaysee