John Derek Yancey (born October 13, 1986), better known by his stage name Illa J, is an American rapper, singer, producer and songwriter. from Detroit, Michigan who has released two albums on Delicious Vinyl Records. He is the younger brother of the late hip hop producer, and rapper
J Dilla
J, or j, is the tenth letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its usual name in English is ''jay'' (pronounced ), with a now-uncommon vari ...
, and a former member of hip hop group Slum Village. He also released a collaborative album as Yancey Boys along with Frank Nitt. Illa J's second solo album ''ILLA J'' came out via the Brooklyn based record label, Bastard Jazz.
Early life
Illa J grew up in a musical family. He is the younger brother of
J Dilla
J, or j, is the tenth letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its usual name in English is ''jay'' (pronounced ), with a now-uncommon vari ...
, and is the son of Maureen Yancey, a former opera singer, and a former
jazz
Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a m ...
bassist. John Yancey was the youngest of four children including a sister (Martha) and two brothers (Earl and James). The family lived in a house near McDougall and Nevada, on the east side of Detroit. According to Slum Village founding member T3, before getting into music Illa J's main focus was basketball. In 2006, after the death of his brother, he decided to drop out of Central Michigan University, and continue the family's involvement with music.
Career
In 2008, he released his debut album, ''Yancey Boys'' on Delicious Vinyl Records. It is produced entirely by previously unused beats that were made by J Dilla and were left sitting at the offices of Delicious Vinyl over several years. Stones Throw Records released a digital instrumental version of the album in 2009. In the following year (2010), he quietly released a second EP entitled, ''4 Past Midnite''. In the year 2013, he followed with the album ''Evolution'' as Slum Village along with rapper T3 and producer Young RJ, and a collaborative album with Frank Nitt, entitled ''Sunset Blvd''. In 2015, he released ''ILLA J'' on Bastard Jazz Records.
Evolution
Evolution is change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations. These characteristics are the expressions of genes, which are passed on from parent to offspring during reproduction. Variation ...
* 2012: ''Dirty Slums'' (with T3 & Young RJ as Slum Village)
* 2013: ''Dirty Slums 2'' (with T3 & Young RJ as Slum Village)
Singles
* 2008: "We Here"
* 2009: "Sound Like Love" (featuring
Debi Nova
Deborah Nowalski Kader, better known by her stage name Debi Nova () born 6 August 1980, is a Costa Rican singer-songwriter who resides in Los Angeles.
She was involved in six Grammy award nominated projects, including a dance song, "One Rhythm", ...
)
* 2010: "Affair"
* 2012: "The Throwaway" (featuring Frank Nitt)
* 2013: "Quicksand" (Yancey Boys featuring Common and Dezi Paige)
* 2015: "Strippers"
* 2015: "Universe"
* 2015: "All Good Pt. 2" (featuring
Moka Only
Daniel Denton (born November 14, 1973), better known by his stage name Moka Only, is a Canadian underground hip hop artist. He has won 3 JUNO Awards, 5 MuchMusic Video Awards, and has been nominated for 11 Western Canadian Music Awards.
Origina ...
J Dilla
J, or j, is the tenth letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its usual name in English is ''jay'' (pronounced ), with a now-uncommon vari ...
– "See That Boy Fly" from '' Jay Stay Paid'' (2009)
* Focus... – "Homage to Dilla" from ''Pay Homage'' series (2009)
* Grynch – "You Know Me (Remix)" from ''Chemistry 1.5'' (2009)
* Roc C – "Turn It Up" (2010)
* Slum Village – "The Reunion, Pt. 2" from ''
Villa Manifesto
''Villa Manifesto'' is the sixth studio album by Detroit hip hop group Slum Village. It was released on July 27, 2010, via E1 Records.
Background
''Villa Manifesto'' serves as both a reunion and a memorial album. Two late founding members of ...
Jonti
Jonti Danilewitz (born ), known mononymously as Jonti, is an South African-Australian electronic and alternative hip hop record producer, composer and songwriter. He is signed to Stones Throw Records and Future Classic. He was also a touring mem ...
– "The Days Have Turned" (2011)
* J Dilla – "Do It for Dilla Dawg" from ''Rebirth of Detroit'' (2012)
* Slum Village – "Greatness", "Nightmares (No Mas)", "Look at Yo Face", "How It Feel", "What You Want", "Un Fuc Witable" from ''Dirty Slums 2'' (2013)
* Jonti – "Home" (2013)
* Potatohead People – "Explosives" from ''Explosives feat. Illa J & Moka Only / Blue Charms'' (2014)
* Potatohead People – "Seeds" from ''Big Luxury'' (2015)
*
Phife Dawg
Malik Izaak Taylor (November 20, 1970March 22, 2016), known professionally as Phife Dawg (or simply Phife), was an American rapper and a member of the group A Tribe Called Quest with Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (and for a short time Jarob ...
– "French Kiss Trois" from ''
Forever
Forever or 4ever may refer to:
Film and television Films
* ''Forever'' (1921 film), an American silent film by George Fitzmaurice
* ''Forever'' (1978 film), an American made-for-television romantic drama
* ''Forever'' (1992 film), an American ...