James Dewitt Yancey, better known as J Dilla, would have turned 40 this Friday the 7th of February had he not died of ‘thrombotic  thrombocytopenic purpura’, a rare blood disease in 2006. J Dilla was one of the most influential producers in Hip Hop history, having worked with such golden-age Hip Hop names as A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Busta Rhymes, Erykah Badu, MF Doom, The Pharcyde and Common.

To celebrate the day Northside Records, now in it’s twelfth year, will be playing  only Jay Dee/J Dilla/The Ummah  productions all day, flipping his disks and giving away FREE DONUTS to everyone that comes in.

They are also producing a commemorative postcard,  featuring a photo by Raph Rashid from 2005  book ‘Behind the Beat‘, which chronicled great hip hop producers. The postcards will only be available on Friday and are numbered and limited to 200.

Matt Derody

More J Dilla

Listen: Stream J. Dilla’s New ‘Donuts’ 45 Box Set
J Dilla’s ‘Dillatroit’ gets a digital release
J Dilla’s uncle is opening a Detroit donut shop
Watch: J Dilla’s vinyl collection on Crate Diggers