JAYFORCE

Thursday night, February 6, 2014, the Atlanta music community came together for a special video premier party, celebrating the new solo release from Phife (A Tribe Called Quest). “Dear Dilla” pays tribute to the legendary hip hop producer James Yancey, aka J Dilla. The single drops in time for the yearly “Dilla Day” celebration of the famed producer’s birthday in February. J Dilla produced classic songs for A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes, De La Soul, Common, The Roots, and is very notably admired for his solo albums and work with Slum Village. He died from a rare blood disease in 2006.

The new single, “Dear Dilla,” produced by DJ Rasta Root (longtime friend and DJ of Phife and A Tribe Called Quest), is Phife’s first new music in over 13 years. He participated in a Q&A with DJ Rasta Root, video director Konee Rok and independent Atlanta artist 4-Ize (co-star in the video). Also on hand for special performances was rap artist and MC Boog Brown (who performed J Dilla’s material), and DJ Fudge of 5 Star Generals.

Held at Landmark’s Midtown Art Cinema theatre, the video release party played host to many of Atlanta’s music trendsetters, DJs, journalists, music connoisseurs and fans. The video premier was hosted by Jayforce of the Beatz & Lyrics show (WRFG FM). Sponsors of the event included Whole Foods, Jayforce.com, Okayplayer.com, Mono, and Zico Coconut Water . Event production by Riddim Kidz, Smokin Needles, SOciaLight and The Agency.

The single “Dear Dilla” is now available to purchase on iTunes.

– @KoolKila

(additional photos below courtesy of JAYFORCE.COM, @KoolKila, &  ATLHipHop)

VIEW: FULL LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE EVENT VIA KAT GODUCO

(via OneMusicFest)


(via Yamin Semali)

Kool Kila