J Dilla honoured with street name in Detroit

The city of Detroit has honoured hip hop legend J Dilla with his own street on what would have been his 51st birthday.

The “J Dilla Street” plaque was unveiled in a ceremony on Friday (February 7), attended by the beat maker’s daughters Ja’Mya and Ty’Monae, who told FOX2 Detroit the move was “long overdue” for their father.

“He left it up to us his family to continue to make sure that his genius was not left behind or forgotten about,” Ja’Mya Yancey said. “And that’s exactly what we are doing, have been doing, and will continue to do.”

Read this next: J Dilla’s music will always sound like the future

Located on the corner of Nevada and Charest Street – close to where J Dilla, AKA James Dewitt Yance, grew up in North East Detroit – the new street was decreed with support from Detroit City Council, following a campaign from the Yancey family to honour the late producer.

The street is located close to a street named after his mentor Amp Fiddler on the intersection of Seven Mile Road and Revere Avenue.

Alongside installing the sign, the City of Detroit has also honoured J Dilla by naming February 7 “J Dilla Day” to celebrate how the Michigan-born artist “transcended genre and influenced not only hip hop and electronic artists but also pop, soul, classical and jazz musicians.”

Read this next: Feeling truly free: Illa J is ready to create his own Detroit hip hop legacy

Regarded as one of the most influential hip hop producers ever, J Dilla passed away in 2006 after being diagnosed with a rare blood disease; he released his seminal album ‘Donuts’ just days before he passed away at the age of 32.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag’s Deputy Editor, follow her on Twitter