Every year, Washington, DC celebrates the late, great producer who had a thing for donuts, James Dewitt Yancey aka J Dilla. For the 10th annual DC Loves Dilla event, which will also celebrate the 15th Anniversary of Slum Village's Fantastic Vol. 2, we see a star-studded lineup with a long list of Dilla's family, friends and collaborators, which span almost two decades. Today, they kick off the tribute with a free panel discussion, Beat Sessions: J Dilla, moderated by Combat Jack at the Kennedy Center as part of its Hip Hop Theater Festival. Panel guests include Slum Village, Amp Fiddler, Musiq Soulchild, DJ Spinna, Georgia Anne Muldrow and 9th Wonder. And that's just the kick-off.
On Friday, July 10th, Dilla's close friends come back together at the Howard Theatre for the tribute show hosted by Grap Luva, to perform their favorite Dilla-produced tracks. Common will perform along with Slum, Georgia and more artists including Wes Felton, Alison Carney, J Hill, Deborah Bond, Wayna, Awthentik, Muhsinah, Ra the MC, Kacey of Black Alley, Kaimbr, Tislam, Labtekwon and music by The Players with Jon Laine. If that wasn't enough, they have an after party for hip hop heads featuring 9th Wonder, DJ Spinna, and DJs Roddy Rod and 2-Tone Jones. You can get your 10th Annual DC Loves Dilla and after party tickets on the Heart Dilla website and the Howard Theatre box office. Don't miss your chance to catch the performances, and, of course, a great opportunity to hug J Dilla's mom, Ma Dukes!
