When J Dilla (Jay Dee, John Yancey) passed away at the age of 32, he left more than catalog of unforgettable hits: he left a legacy that continues to influence music even after his death. As artists like Mos Def, Talib Kwali and Drake use J Dilla’s posthumously released beats to create new music, younger Hip Hop fans learn to appreciate J Dilla’s unique genius.
His influence even extends beyond the world of Hip Hop. Many punk and rock bands from the U.K. cite J Dilla as an inspiration. Jack Barnett, frontman for These New Puritans, occasionally sports a “J Dilla Changed My Life” T-shirt. As his reputation continues to grow, J Dilla T-shirts are becoming more and more popular with music enthusiasts around the world.
When J Dilla passed away, his family was left with a crippling amount of medical bills. Delicious Vinyl, along with other music labels, created J Dilla tribute T-shirts and albums as a way to raise money for his surviving family. Delicious Vinyl recently released an exclusive J Dilla T-shirt commemorating their three-year partnership, which produced several chart-topping hits. The slogan “Jay Deelicious,” a reference to his first stage name, is printed in white and red ink on a black shirt. The design mirrors the album art of Jay Deelicious: The Delicious Vinyl Years, an 11-track compilation of outtakes, rarities and previously unreleased material from Jay Dee’s work with The Pharcyde and Brand New Heavies in the 90s. In 2008, Delicious Vinyl also released Yancey Boys, a posthumous album featuring beats by J Dilla and rapping by his younger brother, John.