Illa J is J Dilla’s younger brother. The 21-year old is working relentlessly to keep the Yancey flag flying, even though the mantle seem to be firmly grasped in Black Milk’s palm. And did I mention that he’s nice on the mic? Yup, good music flows in the family. His debut album, Yancey Boys, arrives on November 4, 2008.

For an album constructed around leftover Jay Dee beats from the 90s, Yancey Boys is fresh. There’s an inescapable urge to compare Illa J to Dilla Dawg, but that’s doing the latter a disservice. Dilla was more of a lighthearted rapper who treated every rhyme like a dance partner; Illa sounds more structured and occasionally choppy, by contrast. At any rate, the music is undeniably exciting and overwhelmingly nostalgic. Only time will tell how well (if at all) Illa J will be able to uphold Dilla’s legacy.
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J Dilla & ATCQ on Funkmaster Flex Mixtape
Nothing like a slice of nostalgia to remind us of just how great J Dilla was in the 90s.

[Spotted at Elitaste]

Jay Unreleased
A couple of these tracks are familiar, but I’ve never heard the rest before.

Download, and then go send khal a “thank you” email.

It’s been two years since the Charlie Parker of hip-hop left this crazy world. In honor of the infallible legacy of James “J Dilla” Yancey, here’s DJ 2-Tone Jones’ 33-song tribute mixtape.

• A Brief Education on the Musical Genius of J Dilla

Previously:
J Dilla: Still, Shinin’

Dilla lives.

(Shout out to 6th Sense)