The Diary (J Dilla album)
The Diary | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
J Dilla chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from The Diary | ||||
|
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
NME | 4/5[10] |
Pitchfork | 6.9/10[11] |
XXL | (XL)[12] |
The Diary is the sixth and final
The Diary was released
Background
Pay Jay, as it was originally titled, is a vocal album James Dewitt "J Dilla" Yancey completed over eight months in the early 2000s, following the release of his first solo album,
On February 11, 2013, it was reported that the album, retitled as The Diary, would be released via Yancey's own Pay Jay Productions imprint, a company he founded in 2001 to house his production company and his publishing company, which The Estate of James Yancey has revived as a functioning imprint.
The album was tentatively scheduled for release in spring 2013 and was pushed back for another year.[16][32][33] However, no update regarding its release date was provided for two years.[34] Pending the release of the posthumous album, eight tracks have surfaced as singles. Alapatt explained the lengthy delay: "Just unpacking the files, finding the software that [Dilla] used, getting it again, because at that point it was already archaic, unpacking the files so that we can actually look at them, took years. Literally years. Bear in mind, we were able to get some low-hanging fruit earlier than we were able to get others, that's how the Ruff Draft record with the instrumentals and unreleased tracks were able to come out. That was easy to find. It was really well labeled. The record had already come out, so we had a reference point, you know what I'm saying? It was quite simple. This record was a pain in the fucking ass."[31]
Release and promotion
On February 18, 2016,
A week later, it was announced that the album would be released on vinyl as a Record Store Day exclusive on April 16, 2016.[38][39] The LP set contains a 16-page booklet with an introduction by Eothen Alapatt and liner notes by Ronnie Reese—who previously wrote the liner notes for J Dilla's Ruff Draft—detailing the story of the album. Along with this accouncement, the production credits were revealed.[38]
On March 17, 2016, Nas previewed a previously unheard collaboration with J Dilla during his headlining set at Mass Appeal's Live at the BBQ showcase at SXSW in Austin, Texas.[40][41][42] Titled "The Sickness", the Madlib-produced track is a recording that originated in 2001 and was completed in 2015 with a verse from Nas.[43] Though the track is not included on The Diary, it came as an iTunes exclusive bonus track with pre-orders of the album for its April 15 release.[44][45] Two days prior to the release, "The Sickness" was made available to stream on SoundCloud by Mass Appeal.[46]
In anticipation of the album's release, Mass Appeal published online a series of short videos featuring some of the artists who contributed to the project, including Snoop Dogg, Bilal, Hi-Tek, Nottz, and Karriem Riggings among others.[47][48]
Singles
Fuck the Police
"
The Anthem
On February 11, 2013, "The Anthem", featuring Detroit rap duo Frank n Dank, was made available to stream on Rappcats' SoundCloud.[54] It was made purchasable at Rappcats.com on 12-inch vinyl on April 15, 2013, packaged with B-side "Trucks" – Dilla's take on Gary Numan's new wave classic, "Cars" – which was previously leaked as an unmixed, unmastered MP3.[16][21][55][56] Both tracks were produced, and feature complete vocal performances, by J Dilla.[16] According to a press release, multi-track masters of the tracks were found on 2-inch tape shortly after Dilla's passing in 2006.[57] They were finished by engineer Dave Cooley, who worked extensively with Dilla during his years in Los Angeles.[29] While preserving all of the elements from the original demos, Cooley attempted to finalize Dilla's vision for these tracks, using the late musician's original demo mixes as his guide. The 12-inch features Dilla's original mix of "Trucks", which includes an extra verse and alternate vocals.[29][57] "The Anthem", which interpolated R. Kelly's "Fiesta" on the chorus, was initially recorded on an aggressive beat composed by Kanye West, who was unaware that Dilla had used the beat which he originally made for Jay-Z.[24][25][58] That version, entitled "We F'd Up", was revealed through the Pay Jay leak.[25][59][60] In 2008, Kanye West disclosed, on his now defunct blog, that he had "[n]ever heard this song till now". "I made this beat in 2001, of course right after 'Takeover'," he wrote. "[W]e were [having] problems clearing the Doors sample so I made this version originally [for] Big Bro Hov."[24][61][62] In the end however, Dilla produced the song himself as "The Anthem" which is the entire opposite of the leaked version.[25]
Diamonds
On August 2, 2013, another track from The Diary entitled "Diamonds", was published on SoundCloud by Rappcats.
Give Them What They Want
On May 20, 2014, Pay Jay Productions released one last EP titled Give Them What They Want on a 12-inch clear vinyl.[68][69] It is a five-track EP featuring three vocal tracks recorded and mixed by Dilla between September and December 2001, as well as two instrumentals.[70] The first two vocal tracks on this record are built around the same lyrics – the title track produced by Dilla and "The Doe" produced by Supa Dave West.[71] The last vocal track "So Far", also produced by West, is familiar to some fans of MP3 bootlegs. On this record, it is mastered for the first time by Dave Cooley.[72] On April 16, 2014, the titular lead "Give Them What They Want" was made available to stream via Rappcats' SoundCloud page.[73]
The Introduction
The album opener, "The Introduction", was broadcast on Zane Lowe's radio show on February 18, 2016.
Gangsta Boogie
Before The Diary was unearthed in full, a previously unreleased track titled "Gangsta Boogie" was premiered on
The Sickness
The last single, the bonus track "The Sickness", featuring Nas, was released on April 27, 2016. A music video for the song was released the same day.[86] It was the album's only single with a music video.
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "The Introduction" |
|
| 3:16 |
2. | "The Anthem" (featuring Frank n Dank) |
| J Dilla | 2:47 |
3. | "Fight Club" (featuring Nottz and Boogie) |
| Waajeed | 2:24 |
4. | "The Shining, Pt. 1 (Diamonds)" (featuring Kenny Wray) |
| Nottz | 2:53 |
5. | "The Shining, Pt. 2 (Ice)" |
| Madlib | 1:09 |
6. | "Trucks" |
| J Dilla | 3:41 |
7. | "Gangsta Boogie" (featuring Snoop Dogg and Kokane) |
| Hi-Tek | 3:18 |
8. | "Drive Me Wild" |
| Karriem Riggins | 2:23 |
9. | "Give Them What They Want" |
| J Dilla | 2:28 |
10. | "The Creep (The O)" |
| Hi-Tek | 2:50 |
11. | "The Ex" (featuring Bilal) |
| Pete Rock | 3:32 |
12. | "So Far" |
| Supa Dave West | 2:17 |
13. | "Fuck the Police" |
| J Dilla | 2:34 |
14. | "The Diary" |
| Bink! | 1:27 |
Total length: | 36:59 |
No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
15. | "The Sickness" (featuring Nas) | Madlib | 2:38 |
16. | "The Doe" | Supa Dave West | 2:15 |
Total length: | 41:52 |
No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "The Ex (Album Version)" (featuring Bilal) | Pete Rock | 3:32 |
2. | "The Ex (R&B Version)" (featuring Bilal) | Pete Rock | 3:32 |
Total length: | 44:03 |
- Sample credits[1]
- "The Shining Pt. 1 (Diamonds)" contains a sample of "Diamond Girl" performed by Seals and Crofts.
- "Trucks" is an interpolation of "Cars" performed by Gary Numan.
- "Fuck the Police" contains a sample of "Scrabble" performed by René Costy & His Orchestra.
- "So Far" contains a sample of "Nobody's Home" performed by Kansas (band).
Charts
Chart (2016) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[87] | 133 |
UK Albums (OCC)[88] | 111 |
US Billboard 200[89] | 77 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[90] | 7 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[91] | 6 |
US | 5 |
US | 3 |
References
- ^ a b c The Diary (booklet). J Dilla. Pay Jay Productions, Inc. 2016. MSAP0032.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Reviews for The Diary by J Dilla". Metacritic.com. 14 Apr 2016. Retrieved 14 Apr 2016.
- ^ Kellman, Andy (14 Apr 2016). "The Diary of J Dilla - J Dilla". Consequence.net. Retrieved 14 Apr 2016.
- ^ Leask, Hugh (16 Apr 2016). "J Dilla - The Diary". Consequence.net. Retrieved 15 Apr 2016.
- ^ Henry, Dusty (14 Apr 2016). "J Dilla – The Diary | Album Reviews". Consequence.net. Retrieved 14 Apr 2016.
- ^ Miller, Kellan (15 Apr 2016). "Album Review: J Dilla - The Diary". DrownedInSound.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2016. Retrieved 15 Apr 2016.
- ^ J MUGGS (14 Apr 2016). "J Dilla: The Diary review – another side of the late hip-hop legend". TheGuardian.com. Retrieved 14 Apr 2016.
- ^ MacInnes, Paul (12 Apr 2016). "J Dilla - Reviews". Mixmag.net. Retrieved 14 Apr 2016.
- ^ Caramanica, Jon (13 Apr 2016). "Review: A New J Dilla Album Provides Historical Imagination". Mixmag.net. Retrieved 14 Apr 2016.
- ^ Pattison, Louis (13 Apr 2016). "NME Reviews - J Dilla - 'The Diary' Review". NME.com. Retrieved 14 Apr 2016.
- ^ kris ex (20 Apr 2016). "J Dilla: The Diary Album Review". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 21 Apr 2016.
- ^ Gibbons, Chris (21 Apr 2016). "J Dilla's Posthumous Album 'The Diary' Breathes New Life Into His Lyrics". XXL.com. Retrieved 23 Apr 2016.
- ^ a b c "J Dilla – THE DIARY". J-DILLA.com. 19 Feb 2016. Retrieved 22 Feb 2016.
- ^ a b "J Dilla's Lost Vocal Album 'The Diary' Finally Gets It's [sic] Day". NationofBillions.com. 19 Feb 2016. Retrieved 22 Feb 2016.
- ^ Sugarman, Michael (11 Feb 2013). "J Dilla's Estate Announces The Diary". adhoc.fm. Retrieved 17 Feb 2013.
- ^ a b c d J. Horowitz, Steven (11 Feb 2013). "Pay Jay To Release J Dilla's "The Diary" LP This Spring". HipHopDX.com. Retrieved 13 Feb 2013.
- ^ a b "J Dilla's long lost 2002 vocal album THE DIARY to be released April 15". Rappcats.com. 18 Feb 2016. Retrieved 18 Feb 2016.
- ^ a b sweeneykovar (2 Aug 2013). "J Dilla - Diamonds :: Indie Shuffle Music Blog". IndieShuffle.com. Retrieved 5 Sep 2013.
- ^ "Posthumous J Dilla vocal album planned; stream the first single now". FactMag.com. 11 Feb 2013. Retrieved 13 Feb 2013.
- ^ Kenner, Rob (12 Feb 2016). "J-Dilla Guide - Jay Dee 2 Dilla". J-Dilla.Complex.com. Retrieved 1 Apr 2016.
- ^ a b c O'Neill, Connor Towne (22 Mar 2016). "J Dilla's Last Album Is Both a Debut and a Finale". VillageVoice.com. Retrieved 1 Apr 2016.
- ^ a b Kovar, Sweeney (19 Feb 2016). "[LISTEN] J Dilla - The Introduction". IndieShuffle.com. Retrieved 23 Feb 2016.
- ^ J Dilla, Ruff Draft (2007), liner notes
- ^ a b c "Kanye West & J-Dilla – Pay Jay (Unreleased)". Uproxx.com. 1 May 2008. Retrieved 29 Feb 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f Fintoni, Laurent (29 Mar 2016). "The untold story behind J Dilla's lost album The Diary". FactMag.com. Retrieved 1 Apr 2016.
- ^ Kaye, Ben (18 Feb 2016). "Lost J Dilla album The Diary to be released, listen to "The Introduction"". Consequence.net. Retrieved 19 Feb 2016.
- ^ Orcutt, KC (18 Feb 2016). "J Dilla Fans Rejoice: Check Out A Never-Before-Heard Track With More To Come This April". TheSource.com. Retrieved 1 Mar 2016.
- ^ Carley, Brennan (18 Feb 2016). "Nas Announces Posthumous J Dilla Album, 'The Diary,' With New Single, 'The Introduction'". SPIN.com. Retrieved 1 Mar 2016.
- ^ a b c d "J Dilla vocal album THE DIARY planned for release on Pay Jay". Rappcats.com. 11 Feb 2013. Retrieved 13 Feb 2013.
- ^ Price, Joe (18 Feb 2016). "Long Lost J Dilla Vocal Album 'The Diary' to Release in April". PigeonsAndPlanes.com. Retrieved 22 Feb 2016.
- ^ a b Weingarten, Christopher (18 Feb 2016). "Hear the Lead Track From J Dilla's Lost Vocal Album, 'The Diary'". RollingStone.com. Retrieved 18 Feb 2016.
- ^ "J Dilla's "Lost Scrolls" on Snap Judgment". J-DILLA.com. 15 Jul 2013. Retrieved 5 Sep 2013.
- ^ "Rappcats » J Dilla – Trucks". Rappcats.com. 17 Apr 2013. Retrieved 22 Feb 2016.
- ^ Zo (18 February 2016). "J Dilla's 'The Diary' Announced + "The Introduction"". Okayplayer.com. Retrieved 18 Feb 2016.
- ^ "The Diary by J Dilla on iTunes". iTunes.apple.com. Retrieved 18 Feb 2016.
- ^ Fitzgerald, Trent. "Nas Announces New J Dilla Album 'The Diary,' Releases 'The Introduction'". TheBoombox.com. Retrieved 18 Feb 2016.
- ^ Baker, Soren (18 Feb 2016). "Nas' Mass Appeal Announces J Dilla's "The Diary" Album Release Date, Cover Art & Tracklist". HipHopDX.com. Retrieved 24 Feb 2016.
- ^ a b "J Dilla – THE DIARY – Producer list and vinyl". Rappcats.com. 25 Feb 2015. Retrieved 28 Feb 2016.
- ^ Lee, Morgan (25 Feb 2016). "J Dilla's The Diary will be released on vinyl as a Record Store Day exclusive". FactMag.com. Retrieved 29 Feb 2016.
- ^ P-B, Devin (18 Mar 2016). "Nas Previews New Track With J Dilla". MassAppeal.com. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 19 Mar 2016.
- ^ Big Homie (18 Mar 2016). "Nas Debuts J Dilla Collaboration at SXSW". RapRadar.com. Retrieved 19 Mar 2016.
- ^ Smith, Trevor (13 Apr 2016). "J Dilla - The Sickness Feat. Nas [New Song]". HotNewHipHop.com. Retrieved 14 Apr 2016.
- ^ "J Dilla feat. Nas "The Sickness" LIVE (produced by Madlib)". Rappcats.com. 18 Mar 2016. Retrieved 19 Mar 2016.
- ^ Gordon, Jeremy (18 Mar 2016). "Nas Previews J Dilla Collaboration "The Sickness" at SXSW". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 19 Mar 2016.
- ^ Firecloud, Johnny (21 Mar 2016). "Watch: Nas Unveils J Dilla Collaboration 'The Sickness' at SXSW". CraveOnline.com. Retrieved 14 Apr 2016.
- ^ Leight, Elias (13 Apr 2016). "Hear J Dilla, Nas, And Madlib Connect On "The Sickness"". TheFader.com. Retrieved 14 Apr 2016.
- ^ Eustice, Kyle (1 Apr 2016). "Bink & Nottz Speak on J Dilla In Anticipation Of The Release of Dilla's Shelved Vocal Album, The Diary". TheSource.com. Retrieved 11 Apr 2016.
- ^ Johnson, James (13 Sep 2016). "Watch J Dilla's Close Collaborators Speak on Making 'The Diary'". MassAppeal.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 25 Jun 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Pizzo, Mike (25 Aug 2015). "When J Dilla Said "Fuck the Police" — Cuepoint — Medium". medium.com. Retrieved 23 Feb 2016.
- ^ Bandini (26 Aug 2015). "J Dilla's F**k The Police Remembered 14 Years Later Feature". AmbrosiaforHeads.com. Retrieved 23 Feb 2016.
- ^ Zo (10 Mar 2015). "J Dilla's "Fuck The Police" To Be Reissued On Limited Edition Badge-Shaped Vinyl For Record Store Day". Okayplayer.com. Retrieved 24 Feb 2016.
- ^ "J Dilla – FUCK THE POLICE – Badge 45". Rappcats.com. 10 Mar 2015. Retrieved 26 Feb 2016.
- ^ "J Dilla's classic 'Fuck The Police' to be reissued on vinyl shaped like a police badge". FactMag.com. 10 Mar 2015. Retrieved 26 Feb 2016.
- ^ "J Dilla - Anthem by Rappcats". SoundCloud.com. 11 Feb 2013. Retrieved 13 Feb 2013.
- ^ "J Dilla – Trucks". Rappcats.com. 17 Apr 2013. Retrieved 13 Apr 2016.
- ^ Battan, Carrie (17 Apr 2013). "Listen: J Dilla Flips Gary Numan's "Cars" on Unearthed Vocal Track "Trucks"". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 13 Apr 2016.
- ^ a b Evan Minsker and Jenn Pelly (11 Feb 2013). "Previously Unreleased J Dilla Vocal Album The Diary Announced, Listen to New Track "Anthem"". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 13 Feb 2013.
- ^ "J Dilla ft. Frank N Dank - "Anthem" (Previously Unreleased) (AUDIO)". egotripland.com. 11 Feb 2013. Retrieved 13 Feb 2013.
- ^ Sweeney Kovar (11 Feb 2008). "J Dilla - Anthem". IndieShuffle.com. Retrieved 11 Apr 2016.
- ^ Shake (1 May 2008). "J Dilla x Kanye West x Jay-Z". 2DOPEBOYZ.com. Retrieved 12 Apr 2016.
- ^ Legend (1 May 2008). "Kanye West & J-Dilla - Pay Jay". OnSmash.com. Retrieved 11 Apr 2016.
- ^ Suskind, Alex (18 Apr 2014). "Kanye West, The Blogger: Remembering KanyeUniverseCity.Com, the Brilliantly Insane Blog of Yeezus". noisey.vice.com. Retrieved 11 Apr 2016.
- ^ "J Dilla - Diamonds (The Shining Pt. 1) by Rappcats". SoundCloud.com. 2 Sep 2013. Retrieved 5 Sep 2013.
- ^ "J Dilla | Diamonds & Ice". StonesThrow.com. Retrieved 5 Sep 2013.
- ^ a b "Rappcats » J Dilla – Diamonds & Ice". Rappcats.com. 2 Aug 2013. Retrieved 5 Sep 2013.
- ^ shamz (29 Aug 2013). "J Dilla "Diamonds (The Shining Part 1)"". Okayplayer.com. Retrieved 5 Sep 2013.
- ^ Battan, Carrie; Phillips, Amy (2 Aug 2013). "J Dilla to Release New EP of Vocal Tracks, Listen to "Diamonds (The Shining Pt. 1)"". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 5 Sep 2013.
- ^ "Dilla - Give 'em what they want | Stones Throw Records". StonesThrow.com. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 20 Jun 2014.
- ^ Karaslamb (16 Apr 2014). "J Dilla's "Give Em What They Want" Drops Ahead Of New EP, Coming May 6th". Okayplayer.com. Retrieved 16 Apr 2014.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (16 Apr 2014). "J Dilla Unearthed Vocal Track "Give 'Em What They Want" Released". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 16 Apr 2014.
- ^ "J Dilla – The Doe – produced by Supa Dave West". Rappcats.com. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 22 Feb 2016.
- ^ "Rappcats » J Dilla – Give Em What They Want". Rappcats.com. 16 Apr 2014. Retrieved 16 Apr 2014.
- ^ "J Dilla - Give Em What They Want - from The Diary by Rappcats". SoundCloud.com. 16 Apr 2014. Retrieved 16 Apr 2014.
- ^ "Listen to "Exclusive Premiere" J Dilla - "The Introduction" posted by Zane Lowe on Apple Music". iTunes.apple.com. Retrieved 19 Feb 2016.
- ^ "J Dilla - The Introduction by Mass Appeal Records". SoundCloud.com. Retrieved 19 Feb 2016.
- ^ Brendan V (19 Feb 2016). "J Dilla - The Introduction". Retrieved 22 Feb 2016.
- ^ Torres, Eric (19 Feb 2016). "J Dilla: "The Introduction"". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 23 Feb 2016.
- ^ Kreps, Daniel (3 Apr 2016). "Hear J Dilla's Funky 'Gangsta Boogie' With Snoop Dogg". RollingStone.com. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ^ HP Cheung (3 Apr 2016). "J Dilla, Snoop Dogg & Kokane Share "Gangsta Boogie"". Hypetrak.com. Retrieved 5 Apr 2016.
- ^ Angus, Walker (2 Apr 2016). "J Dilla - Gangsta Boogie Feat. Snoop Dogg & Kokane [New Song]". HotNewHipHop.com. Retrieved 5 Apr 2016.
- ^ Fintoni, Laurent (3 Apr 2016). "Hear J Dilla and Snoop Dogg together on 'Gangsta Boogie'". FactMag.com. Retrieved 4 Apr 2016.
- ^ Helman, Peter (3 Apr 2016). "Stream J Dilla's Previously Unreleased "Gangsta Boogie" Feat. Snoop Dogg & Kokane". Stereogum.com. Retrieved 9 Apr 2016.
- ^ Walters, Benji (6 Apr 2016). "J Dilla's Last Album – A Conversation with Eothen Alapatt". WonderlandMagazine.com. Retrieved 13 Apr 2016.
- ^ a b Barber, Andrew (8 Feb 2012). "Interview: Peanut Butter Wolf Speaks On The Status of New J Dilla Releases". Complex.com. Retrieved 9 Apr 2016.
- ^ a b Robertson, Darryl (5 Apr 2014). "Snoop Dogg & Producer Karriem Riggins Remember J Dilla". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 11 Apr 2016.
- ^ Mass Appeal (2016-04-27), J Dilla - The Sickness feat. Nas (Prod. by Madlib) (Official Video), retrieved 2018-02-11
- ^ "Ultratop.be – J Dilla – The Diary" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
- ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 23.04.2016 (wk16)". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
- ^ "J Dilla Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ^ "J Dilla Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ^ "J Dilla Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ^ "J Dilla Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- ^ "J Dilla Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2016.