After quietly serving as a member of A Tribe Called Quest’s production team, the Ummah, and scoring hits for Busta Rhymes, De La Soul and Pharcyde, Detroit producer Jay Dee became known as a major hip-hop prospect by the late 90s. The hip-hop community took notice of his no-frills, breakbeat-heavy hip-hop style as he helped craft albums for Common (Like Water for Chocolate), Q Tip (Amplified), and the debut for his own group Slum Village (Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1).
By the time of his major-label debut with Slum Village’s Fantastic, Vol. 2 in 2000, Jay Dee was recognized as one of hip-hop’s most admired and desired producers. Jay Dee’s debut as a solo artist came in 2001 with the single “Fuck the Police” and the album "Welcome to Detroit" on BBE.
After assuming the name J Dilla, he joined the Stones Throw roster in 2003, forming Jaylib with fellow producer/MC Madlib, and relocated from Detroit to Los Angeles. The duo released the “The Red” b/w “The Official” in 2003, followed by the album "Champion Sound" and a tour the following spring.
