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J Dilla: The Impact
By Derrick Warren
dwarren@excapethematrix.com
Hip-Hop is no stranger to tragedy. Over the past ten to fifteen years, we have seen the deaths of many hip-hop artists. Most famously would of course be the deaths of Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace, A.K.A Notorious B.I.G. The murders of both MCs was not only a tragedy in the matter of losing two of hip-hops keynote speakers, but that it was the belief of the role of the east/west coast feud. Violence has then taken Big L as well as DJ Jam Master Jay. Despite the manner in which these artists have left this world, their mark on music is undeniable. Some may even argue that the violent ends to 2Pac and Biggie help cement their place in hip-hop immortality.
To put things into perspective, the death of any artist who contributes to the advancement of not just hip-hop but the art form of music is truly a tragedy. The deaths of 2Pac and Biggie could be said to be a result of the aspect of street life they lived and preached.
So we have J Dilla. A Producer like no other. His work as touched almost every corner of hip-hop and soul. Janet Jackson, De La Soul, Pharcyde, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Lupe Fiasco, Raphael Saadiq all thanks this man for his work. Although his underground status never wavered, there are radio listeners who love his work without really even knowing who J Dilla was.
J Dilla died at the age of 34 from a long fought battle with lupus. This death shook hip-hop. Maybe not the mainstream fan base, but the culture took a hit with this lost of talent. Unlike many of those before him, this death wasn’t one of violence. It wasn’t the result of a beef that wouldn’t die or a misunderstanding at a club or a senseless robbery in the streets. This in no way makes his death more or less tragic than those mentioned before, but it does in a way set it apart.
People today much like Pac and Biggie still pay tribute to this producer. His name isn’t allowed to fade into the background. He like many others before him has earned a place in hip-hip immortality not because he died, but because of the unique brand of music he offered to pull out of so many other artists.