Supporters of the late producer J Dilla are set to participate in a walkathon to stamp out lupus Saturday, May 12 at Detroit’s Belle Isle Park. The Alliance for Lupus Research sponsors similar events throughout the country to raise money and build awareness toward a cure for the autoimmune disease. J Dilla, also known as Jay Dee, died of complications from lupus February of 2006. Participants like Sarah Mercury said it was important to support the event.
“Dilla’s one of my favorite producers and I wanted to walk to support the Dilla foundation in their quest to cure lupus,” she said. Mercury, who attends college in Dilla’s native Detroit, had her family sponsor her efforts for the Walk With Us to Cure Lupus Walkathon.
Rebecca Bowman plans to work as a check-in volunteer when registration begins at 9 a.m. Bowman used Facebook, a social networking site, to drum up support from her friends. The recent Eastern Michigan University graduate said she is involved because Dilla is one of her favorite producers and two of her friends have a family history of lupus.
“It’s a growing disease,” she said.
According to the ALR Web site, lupus is a chronic, sometimes fatal disease in which the immune system turns against the body’s cells and tissue. The disease can cause inflammation and tissue damage. Lupus can affect the heart, lungs, kidneys, joints, blood vessels, skin and brain.
Some say the man born James Yancey doesn’t receive enough credit for his musical contributions. Before Jay was known as the architect behind the Slum Village sound, he combined with rapper Phat Kat to form 1st Down in 1995.
The duo made history as the first rap act from “The D” to sign with a major label (Pay Day). He went on to provide sonic backdrops for artists like Common, De La Soul, Erykah Badu and A Tribe Called Quest among others. But Mercury doesn’t need a track list to appreciate Dilla’s legacy.
“I believe he was a genius,” she said.
Stones Throw Records re-issued J Dilla’s Ruff Draft EP as a double CD in March 2007. Stones Throw is also set to re-issue a double-disc deluxe edition of Champion Sound by Jaylib (Dilla and Madlib) in June.
To find out more about lupus and to make a donation to the ALR:
http://walk.lupusresearch.org/site/PageServer
Checks should be made payable to the Alliance for Lupus Research and sent to the following address:
Alliance for Lupus Research
28 W. 44th Street
Suite 1217
New York, NY 10036
For a look at Dilla’s catalog check this out:
http://www.stonesthrow.com/jdilla/discography.html
COMMENTS
Good to see something positive for a changed.R.I.P Dilla
2nd
^^^^
Not funny.
Dilla by far one of the illest producers ever. Lupus is a serious disease, my girl got that shit and she has to struggle every day just to make things work. I feel you dilla.. Always
dangerLAsoul-about 1 hour ago
Dilla by far one of the illest producers ever. Lupus is a serious disease, my girl got that shit and she has to struggle every day just to make things work. I feel you dilla.. Always
Much respect to you and your fam, my cousin has that too and it hurt me to see her like that. Rest in Love J.Dilla
Nice article.....J Dilla was probably one of the most versatile producers to ever do it, Dilla was never afraid to experiment, he could rap, sing, produce, do it all.....For those that don't know about him I would recommend catching up, he is the def. of real hiphop.....RIP to one of the greatest.
No doubt, Dilla was under the radar, but was still nice on the boards.. RIP Dilla
If you don't know about his work, go find out.
GHOST1N SHUT YOUR BITCH ASS UP.
I am still mad that Dilla is gone. Gone but never forgotten.
RIP Dilla
He dropped a lot gems and had those hot beats. Unrecognized for his talent but just like JCrack said, he was never afraid to experiment. He took chances and created magic with his work in rapping and def producing. For people who spit and are looking for beats, cop The Shining by J Dilla... its a compilation of sick beats that he released. You won't be disappointed.
RIP DILLA!
R.I.P D.J Dilla
R.I.P. J...
I'm listening to one his tracks now... a joint he did for Common...
called "Love Is".... the beat is soo timeles...and vintage...
we definitely lost a great one...
!Be eazy!
nigga was one of tha best producers rip