R.I.P. Jay Dee

Hip-hop has lost another veteran. 32-year old Detroit-based producer James Yancey (aka Jay Dee) helped pioneer the jazzy-rap movement in the 90's as part of A Tribe Called Quest's production crew, The Ummah.

He also offered the world a taste of Detroit-style hip-hop with his group of liquid associations known as Slum Village, paving the way for the likes of D-12, Royce da 5'9" and Trick Trick.

Jay Dee orchestrated 90% of MED’s Push Comes to Shove LP, and submitted two tracks (“Love Is” and “It’s Your World”) to Common’s Grammy-nominated BE album. Ironically, Dilla's own project, the funky instrumental templates known as Donuts was unleashed three days prior to his passing. As if determined to give the world that final taste of his delicious sonic, he continued to work on the project in his hospital bed, utilizing portable production devices brought to him by visitors.

Eventually, Dilla died of complications from lupus (the autoimmune disease) on February 10, 2006.

The About.com rap/hip-hop staff sends out heartfelt condolences to Jay Dee's family and the entire Hip-hop community.