New Dilla inspired track featuring Blu and Phat Kat

"Working with two legends like Phat Kat and Blu on the same track is a dream come true. The track is our way of paying homage to the Detroit sound that Dilla pioneered, while pushing it forward with a modern, collaborative energy. And to do it all for a cause as important as the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation makes it even more meaningful."

I’m excited to announce that my next song, in honour of J Dilla, is to be released on Vintage Vibez Music Group, the label established by Ma Dukes. 

The song is called Snowfall In The Summer, and features one of Dilla’s closest collaborators - Phat Kat - alongside one of LA’s, well, Hip Hop’s finest lyricists - Blu! Plus jabbathakut on the scratches.

The track will be available on super limited edition, hand numbered 7’’ vinyl, exclusively on Bandcamp, raising money for the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation, featuring amazing artwork by Jake Detonator!

The pre-orders are available from now until the 17th October when the streaming version will go live. Go to vicebeats.bandcamp.com to check it out. 

Thank you as ever for your support, and to Ma Dukes and the foundation for the continued trust. 

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"Snowfall In The Summer" is a tribute to the raw, unfiltered spirit of Detroit Hip Hop. The track is built on a foundation of low-slung drums, dark sub-bass, and moody scratches, providing the perfect canvas for Phat Kat's gritty, street-wise lyricism and Blu's intricate, introspective flow. The cross-continental collaboration seamlessly blends the distinct styles of two iconic lyricists, tied together by Vice beats' meticulous production and JabbaThaKut's sharp turntablism.

This release is particularly significant as it marks a continued partnership with Vintage Vibez Music Group, the record label imprint established by Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey to honour the enduring legacy of her son, the late great J Dilla. Following the success of the "That Love" 7" vinyl in 2023, a track that at that point had amassed over a million streams, "Snowfall In The Summer" continues to raise money and awareness for the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering music education for inner-city youth.

Phat Kat is a revered Detroit rapper and a long-time collaborator of J Dilla, known for his raw and uncompromising style. He was part of the pioneering group 1st Down with J Dilla and is a foundational figure in the city's Hip Hop scene. Blu is a prolific rapper and producer from Los Angeles, celebrated for his storytelling and complex lyricism, particularly on his critically acclaimed debut album with Exile, Below the Heavens, alongside collaborations with Madlib, Dilla, The Roots and many more.

The single's artwork was created by acclaimed London-based illustrator Jake Detonator, known for his work with a wide range of artists including Chali 2na, The Prodigy, and Lucasfilm.

Here's a bit more about the release. You can check the track out on Bandcamp.