:''This is an article about the

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 ...

album. For the

Trick-Trick Christian Anthony Mathis (born June 28, 1973), better known by his stage name Trick Trick, is an American rapper and record producer from Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the large ...

song of the same name, see Welcome 2 Detroit (song).'' ''Welcome 2 Detroit'' is the debut studio album by

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

hip hop recording artist

, released on February 26, 2001. The album followed his group Slum Village's critically acclaimed '' Fantastic, Vol. 2'', and kicked off BBE's "Beat Generation" series (producer-driven albums). ''Welcome 2 Detroit'' bears the name "Jay Dee" as well as "J Dilla", and marks the first time Dilla (who until that point was still known as Jay Dee) officially used the name J Dilla.

Overview

''Welcome 2 Detroit'' is a showcase of the talent from J Dilla's hometown, introducing a pre- Slum Village

Elzhi Jason Powers (born May 12, 1978), better known by his stage name Elzhi (stylized as eLZhi), is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. He is a former member of Slum Village and now records as a solo artist. In his youth, he made numerous vis ...

on the song "Come Get It", and making room for his longtime 1st Down partner Phat Kat on the appropriately titled "Featuring Phat Kat". The album sound ranges from grimy

hardcore hip hop Hardcore hip hop (also hardcore rap) is a genre of hip hop music that developed through the East Coast hip hop scene in the 1980s. Pioneered by such artists as Run-DMC, Schoolly D, Boogie Down Productions and Public Enemy, it is generally ch ...

("Pause") to

electronic Electronic may refer to: *Electronics, the science of how to control electric energy in semiconductor * ''Electronics'' (magazine), a defunct American trade journal *Electronic storage, the storage of data using an electronic device *Electronic co ...

psychedelia Psychedelia refers to the psychedelic subculture of the 1960s and the psychedelic experience. This includes psychedelic art, psychedelic music and style of dress during that era. This was primarily generated by people who used psychedelic ...

("B.B.E."). The track "Rico Suave Bossa Nova" is inspired by

Brazilian music The music of Brazil encompasses various regional musical styles influenced by European, American, African and Amerindian forms. Brazilian music developed some unique and original styles such as forró, repente, coco de roda, axé, sertanejo, ...

group Azymuth. As Dilla mentions in the extensive liner notes: J Dilla covers Donald Byrd's "Think Twice", singing the lead vocals. On "African Rhythms", J Dilla covers the

Afro beat Afrobeat is a Nigerian music genre that involves the combination of West African musical styles (such as traditional Yoruba music and highlife) and American funk, jazz, and soul influences, with a focus on chanted vocals, complex intersecting ...

group Plunky & the Oneness of Juju's song of the same name, replaying all the instruments as well as mimicking the spoken introduction. On the albums outro "One", J Dilla takes a moment to thank all who have helped him in the hip-hop industry, including Slum Village, Q-Tip and De La Soul. The Pop band

'N Sync NSYNC (, ; also stylized as *NSYNC or 'N Sync) was an American boy band formed by Chris Kirkpatrick in Orlando, Florida, in 1995 and launched in Germany by BMG Ariola Munich. Their self-titled debut album was successfully released to Europea ...

is also mentioned. An instrumental version of the album was released on August 23, 2005.

Track listing

''All tracks produced by

except "The Clapper" which is produced by

Karriem Riggins Karriem Riggins is an American jazz drummer, hip hop producer, DJ and songwriter. Biography Riggins was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States, son of keyboardist Emmanuel Riggins. As a child, he would often watch his father perform with G ...

and co-produced by

.'' # "Welcome 2 Detroit" – 0:49 # "Y'all Ain't Ready" – 1:28 # "Think Twice" (Feat.

Dwele Andwele Gardner (born February 14, 1978), better known by his stage name Dwele, is an American R&B singer, rapper, songwriter and record producer from Detroit, Michigan. Biography Gardner was raised on the west side of Detroit in a musical fam ...

) – 3:52 # "The Clapper" (Feat. Blu) – 2:06 # "Come Get It" (Feat.

) – 5:02 # " Pause" (Feat.

Frank-N-Dank Frank n Dank (real names Frank Bush and Derrick Harvey) are an American hip hop group from Detroit, Michigan. They also go by the names Frank Nitt (previously known as Frank Nitty, which is a reference to the 1930s crime boss Frank Nitti) and ...

) – 2:45 # "B.B.E. (Big Booty Express)" – 2:12 # "Beej-N-Dem Pt. 2" (Feat. Beej) – 2:49 # "Brazilian Groove" (EWF) – 1:30 # "It's Like That" (Feat. Hodge Podge (Big Tone) and Lacks (Ta'Raach) ) – 4:05 # "Give It Up" – 3:08 # "Rico Suave Bossa Nova" – 1:25 # "Featuring Phat Kat" (Feat. Phat Kat) – 3:43 # "Shake It Down" – 2:55 # "African Rhythms" – 1:36 # "One" – 1:30 ''Welcome 2 Detroit - The 20th Anniversary Edition'' This edition was released on February 5, 2021 on the BBE label, containing the original 16 tracks, with instrumentals, bonus mixes, beats and alternate takes. #

Album singles

Personnel

* James Yancey - rap, vocals, instruments, production *

- drums, percussion, production * Dwele Gardner - keyboards, trumpet, bass guitar, fender rhodes *Antwan Gardner - trombone *

Frank Bush Frank Bush (born January 10, 1963) is the linebackers coach of the Atlanta Falcons. He is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the fifth round of the 1985 NFL Draft. He pl ...

- rap, claves *

Derrick Harvey Derrick Harvey (born November 9, 1986) is a former American football defensive end. He played college football for the University of Florida, and was a member of a BCS National Championship team. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in ...

- rap * Jason Powers - rap * Ronnie Watts - rap *Anthony Jackson - rap *Terrell McMathis - rap *Blu - rap *Beej - rap

Recording

*Recorded at Pay-Jay Studios, Studio A, Dearborn *Engineered by James Yancey and Todd Fairall *All songs mixed by James Yancey and Todd Fairall at Studio A, Dearborn. *Mastered by Shawn Joseph, Optimum Mastering *Executive producers: Peter Adarkwah and James Yancey *Co-executive producer: Timotheous Entertainment *Art Direction and Design: Thomas Mc Callion

References

External links

*
Welcome 2 Detroit
' at

Discogs Discogs (short for discographies) is a database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. While the site was originally created with a goal of becoming the ...

{{Authority control 2001 albums J Dilla albums Albums produced by J Dilla Albums produced by Karriem Riggins Barely Breaking Even albums