Music Review: Busta Rhymes and J Dilla’s ‘Dillagence II’ sees 2 giants of the genre together again
NEW YORK (AP) — Twenty years ago, in 2006, Detroit producer J Dilla died from complications from lupus. He was 32. The hip-hop visionary, born James Dewitt Yancey, left behind an unimpeachable legacy, collaborating with artists such as…
Busta Rhymes and J Dilla reunited for their 2007 collaboration, "Dillagence," two decades after Dilla's death from lupus complications at the age of 32. The hip-hop visionary, born James Dewitt Yancey, had collaborated with artists such as D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, A Tribe Called Quest and Common. Despite their short time together, Dilla sent Rhymes over 300 beats for his use in various releases.
Rhymes' flexible rapping style worked well with Dilla's unique "Dilla Time" beats, which combined straightforward and uneven rhythms, creating a distinct swagger often described as "drunk." On "Dillagence II," Rhymes and Dilla reunited again, releasing 19 tracks of Dilla's compositions and Rhymes' flow. The third verse of "Spazzz" showcases the combination of their skillsets, with a tuneless woodwind piercing Rhymes' braggadocious posturing.
The album finds emotional resonance on "Royalty," featuring Dilla's mother, Ma Dukes, and verses from Rhymes' children, CIE and Trillian. The posthumous track "This Woman" features Grammy-winning R&B singer D'Angelo, who died in October after a long battle with cancer. The official music video was directed by Hype Williams, known for his work on Rhymes' own music videos in the late 90s and early 2000s.
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