J’s new album Jay Stay Paid came out earlier this month and I can’t stop listening to it. You’ll either be affected emotionally by the range of head nodding hypnotic beats or sit in disbelief from the genius behind it…or both. If you don’t know Dilla he’s one of the most influential producers of all time. He’s done collaborations with with everyone from Eryka Badu to Common to Janet Jackson to Prince. Sadly he passed away at the age of 32 due to lupus related complications. Even when he was in the hospital he was still making music….now that’s LOVE. This album features 25 unreleased beats with guest vocals by artists like Black Thought (The Roots), DOOM, M.O.P., and Blu. The album was arranged and mixed by Pete Rock, executive produced by Dilla’s mom Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
