We Here

Delicious Vinyl is proud to release the debut single by Illa J: "We Here" b/w "R U Listenin" featuring Guilty Simpson. Both tracks are produced by the legendary late producer Jay Dee (aka J Dilla), Illa J's older brother.

"We Here" is all sizzle and gleam as Illa J ad-libs his mission statement: "Yancey Boys from Detroit, Michigan...comin' for that number one spot...'bout to rock the world!" Over the previously unheard Dilla track (from a cache of Jay Dee beats held in safety for a decade by Delicious Vinyl founder Michael Ross) Illa J's soulful tenor delivers the hook: "We poppin' bottles like it's first day of the year." Illa J confirms the feeling: "Somebody could be in a hoopty but the Jay Dee beat sound so good it make them feel like they riding in a Phantom."

Illa J: "'We Here' is a celebration of waking up every day. Why not live out your dreams, why not try?" Of the lyric "Let's go crazy/ You saw Purple Rain" Illa J explains: "It's like Prince asking 'Are we gonna let the elevator break us down?' Naw, let's go all out! One of the things I learned from my brother is that you don't get that much time, so make the most of it. That's why I've decided to dedicate my life to doing what I love: music."

"R U Listenin" is a thumpadelic tribute to Detroit featuring Stones Throw recording artist Guilty Simpson, Illa and Guilty trading hot verses "sending love to the 313." Of the collaboration, Guilty Simpson exclaims: "Illa J is a young talent in his own right with many dimensions - a real force who's obviously the product of great stock!"

Delicious Vinyl's Michael Ross: "Anyone who loves Jay Dee is going to flip out when they hear how young Illa J represents for the Yancey family. For over a decade these beats have been waiting in the vault for this moment. It's like Jay Dee made these tracks with an extrasensory purpose, so that Illa J could rap and sing over them when the time was right. Well, it's that time. It's the Yancey Boys baby!"

Oh snap son, this track is dope. So much good music coming hard to keep up with it all. You can purchase or preview that "R U Listening" joint off iTunes. Sounds dope from what I hear. Can't wait for the whole album to drop. RIP Dilla

We Here - Illa J (prod. J-Dilla)

Also you can check out Mablib (with the assistance of J. Rocc)'s tribute to Jay Dee. It's the fifth volume in the Beat Konducta series and titled "Beat Konducta Vol. 5 Dil Cosby Suite". You can preview and cop it here....