Late hip-hop legend Jay Dee aka J-Dilla was long considered the standout in Detroit trio Slum Village.
A much-heralded producer, Dilla’s skill with the microphone, which was too often described as underrated and overlooked, fell second to his sonic craftsmanship.
On this, his solo debut ‘Welcome 2 Detroit’, Dilla pulled his two traits together evenly in the eyes and ears of everyone. A vodka mix of edgy rhymes and sharp instrumentals, this potent set flows seamlessly from top to bottom.
It’s no secret Dilla already had classic, quotable verses on his resume. Ttill, there was a need to flex his mouth muscles. He does so straight away on the gritty proclamation “Y’all Ain’t Ready”, and again shortly thereafter on “The Clapper”, where he advises those in The D and beyond to never leave home without their strap.
With a nearly unmatched ear, Dilla recognized he didn’t need to bench bars on every song. He stepped aside on “Come Get It”, letting Elzhi go completely ape!
And to make it perfectly clear that hip-hop of the highest caliber doesn’t have to be weighted by rhymes, Dilla blew minds yet again with his production on the verse-less “Brazilian Groove”, “B.B.E. (Big Booty Express)” and “Think Twice” featuring Dwele.
‘Welcome 2 Detroit’ is a masterpiece. |THIS.
[By Mr. Joe Walker]
