Event Celebrates Hip Hop Producer J Dilla

The Charles H. Wright Museum recently hosted the fifth annual Dilla Youth Day, which is a hip hop music event.

The event celebrates the life and legacy of the late J Dilla, whose real name was James Dewitt Yancey. He was a music producer from Detroit who died from lupus on Feb. 10, 2006. Dilla was known as the greatest hip hop producer of his time. He worked with artists such as Common, Erykah Badu, Questlove from the band “The Roots”,  Busta Rhymes, and Mos Def,  to name a few.

This event aims to expose inner city youth to hip hop culture and the Wright Museum of African American History through hands-on activities. Youngsters were able experience how to make a beat, lay down a track, and write their own rhymes.

Youths at the event were able to attend hip hop seminars, do arts and crafts and show off their dance moves.

Nicole Johnson, who holds the title of Miss Black Michigan, attended the event to learn about hip-hop and to volunteer and help kids develop their awareness of hip-hop. Johnson told the youths to work on being their own person and said their goals will follow them.

For next year, this annual event is scheduled for February 5, 2017, at the Charles H. Wright Museum.