I don’t think I’ll forget that day.
When Michael Jackson passed on June 25, 2009, I was in Nashville, on tour, and I saw the rumors coming across Twitter at an alarming rate… I ran to the closest place with a TV, which was a Burger King of all places.. with a major spelling faux pas on the sign outside.
… and sat there glued to the TV until I heard the news.
I didn’t even want to perform that night… in fact the show itself is pretty much a blur. Worst was I had to drive from Nashville to Philly that next day, all alone. I played “Man In The Mirror” about 75 times on repeat, no joke.
It’s a shame, because as great as MJ was… we took his talent and influence for granted. There will never ever be another Michael Jackson, and we were blessed to be able to see you at your peak.
When MJ won all those Grammys in 1985, I remember begging my mom to stay up later, to see how many he would win. Up until the credits rolled on the show, I was sure he would win 15 or 20.
I felt like I lost an uncle, a family member that day. Words really can’t express MJ’s influence on my childhood, my culture, my life. I still have a pic of myself in the Thriller jacket dancing to some MJ (I won’t upload that, don’t ask). There’s no way I can ever repay him for all the memories, but I figured I’d try the best way I knew how. I created a tribute song to one of my favorite MJ tunes, “Off The Wall.”
Here’s my song with DN3, collectively known as The RandomBeagle – “Enjoy Yourself”
in 2006, after hearing of Dilla’s death of Lupus, not even 2 weeks before I released my first album The Call, I was pretty devastated. I dedicated the release party to J Dilla, and I called in some favors with pretty much everyone I knew to help create a tribute mixtape.
I haven’t mentioned it in quite some time, but if you haven’t already peeped it, please check out The Dilla Project, featuring myself, DN3, the whole RAHM Nation crew, Ohmega Watts, J-Live, Rashid Hadee and more.
Intro – by DN3, Adam 12 and Tarp
Shoomp - by Random
Communication Skills – by Trek Life
Mack Dubb Speaks – by Mack Dubb
Love it Here – by Ohene
One 4 Dilla – by Ohmega Watts
Hate is a Thing Of the Present – by DN3
Doonit – by Random
It is what it is – by Red Clay
Green – by Rashid Hadee
Gobstopper (Sewn Up) - by Random
Three for Dilla – by Mash and Flud of Dumhi
Four for Dilla – by Neo P
Dedication - by Bassline
Dolla Circulate – by J-Live NOtes on Dilla – by G.
Climax – by Just Sayin’
Come Back - by Storyville
What Up? - by DJ Doo Wop and Random
Five for Dilla – by Ohene
Give 2 You - by Random
RAHM Over Black Milk – by Random, DN3, Ohene
Yall Aint Ready – by Storyville
Sat It Bag - by Random
Dilla Livication – by Jee Eye Zee
James “J Dilla” Yancey, an influential music producer and MC, is best known for his work with a Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, Common, Busta Rhymes, the Pharcyde and more. Dilla died on February 10, 2006 at his home in Los Angeles, California, three days after his thirty-second birthday and the release of Donuts. The J Dilla Foundation has been recently re-launched.
This project was created by fans, for fans, strictly for the purpose of showing appreciation for all Dilla had influenced. Please enjoy.
RIP Jay Dee.
Raheem Jarbo, aka Random or Mega Ran. Teacher/Rapper/Hero. People will remember Ran for his daring leap into video game remixing which led to a Capcom cosign, but Random's penchant for storytelling has impressed retro gamers while garnering respect from Hip-Hop's harshest critics.
An incredible impromptu "freestyle" MC, Random's unique combination of fantasy and introspective hip-hop has found its way into TV shows, movies, video games, and even coursework at several universities. That's Random.
