Slum Village has been through numerous lineups over its 23 years, but unlike other legacy groups that keep rehashing the hits long after key members have left, the influential hip-hop group honors its roots while moving in fresh directions. Currently a duo of T3 (aka RL Altman III) and longtime producer “Young RJ” Rice, Slum […]
Tag: J Dilla
Posted inMusic
Keeping the beat
Chicago’s beat scene has to do without the attention the city’s rappers get, but it’s a vital incubator for adventurous, ambitious instrumental hip-hop.
Posted inMusic
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson translates the works of of hip-hop prodigy J Dilla into orchestral majesty
Shortly after the 2006 death of James Dewitt Yancey, best known as J Dilla, Los Angeles multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer, and producer Miguel Atwood-Ferguson began creating orchestral homages to the Detroit hip-hop producer and rapper. Though Yancey had spoken publicly about his health struggles, his passing at age 32 (due to complications from lupus and a […]
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Charlie Coffeen of Sidewalk Chalk gives Dilla’s Donuts the big-band treatment
Charlie Coffeen of Sidewalk Chalk gives Dilla’s Donuts the big-band treatment, John Walt’s arts mentorship foundation hosts a fund-raising dinner on the anniversary of the rapper’s death, and more.
Posted inBlogs
Chicago producer Thelonious Martin celebrates his hero on A Dozen for Dilla
Thelonious Martin drops a collection of instrumentals to celebrate the life of peerless producer J Dilla.
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Local label Grandpa Bay celebrates the big four-oh with two new releases
Local label Grandpa Bay celebrates the big four-oh with two new releases, Perse as Funk honors the memory of J Dilla, and more.
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Producer Thelonious Martin is graduating from college, but he’s had a lifelong hip-hop education
The Wunderkid producer has already done so much for someone his age.
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In Rotation: Jake Austen of Roctober on a sitar cover of the Banana Splits
Current musical obsessions of Roctober‘s Jake Austen and WHPK’s Mario Smith
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Q&A: Local jazz vocalist Lili K. on her odd relationship with Chicago’s rap scene
The jazz vocalist/rap collaborator on her partnership with producer Petter Cottontale, her work with Chance the Rapper, and more
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12 O’Clock Track: D’Angelo, “Send It On”
Today’s 12 O’Clock Track is D’Angelo’s sensual stunner “Send It On,” from his acclaimed album Voodoo
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Snacking on J Dilla’s Donuts
Four Chicago producers talk about J Dilla in light of the reissue of his masterpiece
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12 O’Clock Track: Julian Malone, “7Milli”
Check out the woozy “7Milli” from local rapper, producer, and Stones Throw signee Julian Malone
Posted inFilm
Artist on Artist: Flying Lotus talks to Chrissy Murderbot
Flying Lotus talks to Chrissy Murderbot
Posted inMusic
Two Turntables, Hold the Microphone
Five new online mixes chart the evolution of the hip-hop beat into a freestanding art form.
Posted inBlogs
Free “Pi” From Local Producer Radius
Unreleased post-hip-hop by local producer Radius goes online for free.