2Pac Shakur's "Dear Mama" inducted into the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry

 Tupac Amaru Shakur 

(June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996)

Songs by Tupac Shakur , R.E.M. and Little Richard , and albums from the likes of Willie Nelson and Patti Smith are among the 25 eclectic recordings inducted into the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry .

Under the terms of 2000's National Recording Preservation Act, the criteria for preservation by the Library of Congress are that the work be "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant" and be at least 10 years old. Nominations were gathered from online submissions from the public and from members of the National Recording Preservation Board .

This year's list of recordings features a diverse selection of spoken-word and musical recordings that span the years 1913 ("Fon der Choope" (From the Wedding) -- Abe Elenkrig's Yidishe Orchestra) to 1995 (Shakur's "Dear Mama"). There are now 300 recordings in the National Recording Registry .

Tupac - Dear Mama

 

In its citation for "Dear Mama," the NRPB called the song a "moving and eloquent homage to both the murdered rapper's own mother and all mothers struggling to maintain a family in the face of addiction, poverty and societal indifference."

Nelson's album "Red Headed Stranger " is cited for its "uncommon elegance," and R.E.M.'s original version of "Radio Free Europe " is lauded for setting "the pattern for later indie rock releases by breaking through on college radio in the face of mainstream radio's general indifference."

Smith's "Horses," The Band's self-titled release, Little Richard's "Tutti Frutti" and Howlin' Wolf 's "Smokestack Lightning " also made the grade.

Librarian of Congress James Billington said the Library of Congress' Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation in Culpeper, Va., will preserve and maintain the recordings and make them available to the American public.

Born with Greatness 2 7 74 (J​-​Dilla Tribute) by Dash a.k.a Mighty Joe Young

Check out Dash a.k.a Mighty Joe Young's new single..

"Born With Greatness"

a track tribute to the late J-Dilla a.k.a James Yancey

CLICK HERE
TO CHECK OUT THE TRACK

Dash foreword:

"Because I Love Dilla And his Music and so does DJ Rebel...He Is An Influence He did Change my Life with the Way to make beats and Just Hip Hop in general this is sorta unofficial Autobiography of Jay Dee or Pay Jay J-Dilla but yeah God Bless You Dilla Dawg Rest In Power!"

 Released date: 24 November 2010

Produced By DJ Rebel (Thank You So much for the Beat) Recorded @ Beatsofthenorthstar Studio New Manila QC 

REST IN POWER

TO THE GREATES PRODUCER OF ALL TIME

J.Dilla Tribute Documentary - by Stussy

J.Dilla Tribute Documentary - by Stussy

Stussy - Limited Edition

J.Dilla Tribute Shirt

J.Dilla a.k.a Jay Dee. Born Aquarius Died An Aquarius!

Born James Yancey and known as J.Dilla a.k.a Jay Dee
February 7, 1974 - February 10, 2006

After quietly serving as a member of A Tribe Called Quest’s production team, the Ummah, and scoring hits for Busta Rhymes, De La Soul and Pharcyde, Detroit producer Jay Dee became known as a major hip-hop prospect by the late 90s. The hip-hop community took notice of his no-frills, breakbeat-heavy hip-hop style as he helped craft albums for Common (Like Water for Chocolate), Q Tip (Amplified), and the debut for his own group Slum Village (Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1).

By the time of his major-label debut with Slum Village’s Fantastic, Vol. 2 in 2000, Jay Dee was recognized as one of hip-hop’s most admired and desired producers. Jay Dee’s debut as a solo artist came in 2001 with the single “Fuck the Police” and the album "Welcome to Detroit" on BBE.

After assuming the name J Dilla, he joined the Stones Throw roster in 2003, forming Jaylib with fellow producer/MC Madlib, and relocated from Detroit to Los Angeles. The duo released the “The Red” b/w “The Official” in 2003, followed by the album "Champion Sound" and a tour the following spring. 

When Pharrell Williams was asked about his favorite hip-hop producer during a BET interview in 2004 he replied, “You may not know his name, but J Dilla, Jay Dee from Detroit.” Indeed, the interviewer didn’t know - J Dilla has eluded the spotlight, preferring the studio to the stage or video. His work is mostly released by independents, for different groups, and under different names, but his core audience and cult status has grown. His pirated beat tapes (instrumentals, raw working material for rappers) have become something of urban legend, as their circulation from hand to hand and over the internet have led to a black market of Dilla beat tape collectors.

Despite contributing two tracks to Common’s career-resurrecting "Be" this year, it’s been a quiet time for Dilla. So where has he been ? A cover story in URB (Mar 2004) made public his recent, sudden struggle with illness, and recently rumors began circulating again about health emergencies and hospitalization. Asked about this in XXL (June 2005), Dilla himself partially confirmed these stories. “The rumors were like, ‘Jay Dee is dead’ and all that, but I was just in the hospital. I was in ICU, with all types of tubes. It was crazy.”

 Working both from his home studio and while hospitalized - from a portable sound system including turntable, samplers, and small boxes of vinyl brought in and out from visitors - Dilla continued making music at his usual non-stop pace, circulating beats to MCs, and coming up with the foundation of what would become "Donuts".

Begun simply enough as a production beat tape, "Donuts" evolved into a project as unusual as the environment in which it was created. It’s a hip-hop album without MC’s. An album of electronic music that at times sounds like a 70s soul mixtape. Its abrupt transitions and numerous interludes might make you think you’re rapidly turning the radio dial in some strange city where every station is programmed by a certain Detroit hip-hop producer. "Donuts" is J Dilla doing what he does best - crafting hip-hop, soul and electronic music into his own sound. And a few have asked, “What’s up with the title ?” Easy explanation. Dilla likes donuts.

Health concerns again reached a peak in November 2005 when J Dilla toured Europe performing from a wheelchair. Jay Dee passed away on February 10, 2006 at his home in Los Angeles, California due to kidney complications associated with lupus nephritis.

"BETTER ON THE OTHER SIDE" The Game tribute to Michael Jackson

Less than 24 hours after the death of Michael Jackson, a song in his honor was recorded by an all-star lineup led by The Game and had made its world premiere on a radio station in Los Angeles.
After learning of MJ's passing Thursday night, Game got some of his famous friends ? including Diddy, Chris Brown, Polow Da Don, Mario Winans, Usher and Boyz II Men ? to help record a song giving thanks and reflecting on the King of Pop.

Titled "Better on the Other Side," the DJ Khalil-produced tribute debuted on the morning radio show "Big Boy's Neighborhood" on LA's Power 106, as well as on Game affiliate DJ Skee's satellite radio show, "Skeetox."

Skee told MTV News that the recording took place shortly after he called Game in the studio to tell him about Jackson's death. "Game was in the studio with Diddy at the time I called. He reached out to Chris Brown and Usher and also got Boyz II Men, who so happened to be recording in the same studio."

Here's how MTV.com describes the track:

The piano-accompanied soundscape starts off with Diddy testifying about M.J.'s influence. "I believed I can do anything," he says. "You made the world dance. You made the music come to life."

Then a thunderous bass drops in, led by Chris Brown's vocals on the chorus: "This the type of song that makes the angels cry/ Look up in the sky and I wonder why/ Why you had to go, go/ I know it's better on the other side."
On his verses Game reflects on the pop singer's influence on him growing up. "Who's Michael Jackson?/ You're Michael Jackson/ I'm Michael Jackson/ We all Michael Jackson/ I guess what I'm asking is/ Everybody bow their head/ For a legend, don't breathe for a second."

The Game continues with his heartfelt tribute and compares himself to Jackson. "Imma tell you my story/ Never had a family that close/ Never seen Berry Gordy walking through Interscope/ But just like me, they always had Mike in a scope/ No matter what you say imma love him and he's still dope/ Let me take you back to '85 when I was in a zone/ Dancing for my momma, 'Thriller' jacket with the zippers on."

"Other Side" concludes with one last statement from Diddy: "People can say what they want about you. We gonna remember the miracles that you showed us. Through your music, through your dance. You were the one that made us realize that you are the world. Through us your legacy lives on, Mike Jackson."

Also on Friday, Game's former rap rival 50 Cent released two songs that give a nod to Michael Jackson.

"Where You Are," which takes its track directly from Jackson's 1972 hit "I Wanna Be Where You Are," features the lyrics:

"They say I ain't lyrical, they say I ain't a miracle/ I say some hard sh--, so they say I ain't spiritual ?They act like they know God better than me/ I know 'God Allah,' he used to pump crack up the streets."

He goes on to vent about those in the 'hood doubting him because of his over-the-top financial status. The Southside, Queens, native then gives way to the King of Pop, and we hear Jackson's timeless vocals.

"Can it be I stayed away too long?/ Did I leave your mind when I was gone?/ It's not my thing trying to get back/ But this time let me tell you where I'm at/ You don't have to worry 'cause I'm coming/ Back to where I should have always stayed/ And now I've heard the maybe to your story/ And it's enough love for me to stay."

The rapper mentions Jackson's passing at the end of his second track released Friday morning, titled "Respect It or Check It N***a."

"Rest in peace to Michael Jackson," 50 raps. "You n***as need me, man. I might have to start moonwalking. A couple of dance moves and sh**, might be some sh** called 'Billie Jean Is My Lover.' I'm back, n***a!"