The “Dilla Tour 50” highlights James Yancey's impact on hip-hop, and for its Richmond stop, will also celebrate several eras of Virginia-bred producers. The Friday event at RVA Boombox will be hosted by J Dilla's mother, Maureen Yancey — aka Ma Dukes.
Dilla left a permanent mark on hip-hop production during his lifetime — and as a member of The Soulquarians, the Detroit native went on a groundbreaking audio run, producing cuts for Slum Village, The Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, De La Soul. He would also enjoy success alongside Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad in the production trio The Ummah.
Dilla also dropped a few notable projects himself, including 2001’s "Welcome To Detroit" and the 2006 "Donuts." The latter album, released three days before his death, would go on to influence a new generation of beatmakers and listeners.
Dilla would also collaborate with a then-up-and-coming producer Madlib on 2004’s "Champion Sound." The producer's legacy continues today with archival instrumental releases — and MC’s such as Joey Bada$$, Raekwon, and Big Sean flowing over Dilla beats.
The producer's music equipment was donated to the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2014. And Ma Dukes started the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation to continue his legacy, and to encourage youth in their pursuit of music and arts. The Richmond show serves as a fundraiser for the foundation.
Other hosts at the Friday event include the Producer Plug and Norfolk production powerhouse Bink!, who during his career has produced tracks for Rick Ross, The Lost Boyz, Jay-Z and Drake.
Lex Luger, another influential 757 producer, will also make an appearance on Friday. As the sonic mind behind Rick Ross’ “BMF” and Waka Flocka’s “Hard in the Paint,” he's considered one of the main architects of modern-day trap music.
Tickets are $40-$70. For more information on the foundation visit the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation.