A Tribe Called Quest's Phife Pays Tribute on '#dearDilla'

There's been plenty of J Dilla tributes since the lauded producer's passing in 2006. Phife Dawg is the latest to follow this hip-hop tradition on '#dearDilla.'

The A Tribe Called Quest member reminisces on how the legendary producer inspired him with his MPC when he felt stressed out before rhyming over a jazzier rendition of Dilla's 'Hold Tight' beat from Slum Village's 'Fantastic, Vol. 2.'

Phife puts himself in the grumpy veteran category as he says "frontin' ass rappers down here is still an issue" as one of his first lines. The main subject of the song isn't lost, however. "J.D. flip another beat for me," the hook goes. A lot of people still share that wish. J Dilla's 'The Light,' 'Players' and 'Climax' are some of the other productions weaved in.

J Dilla played a big role in A Tribe Called Quest's final two albums. Then known as Jay Dee, he, Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad formed the Ummah, a collective that produced a majority of 'Beats, Rhymes, & Life' and 'The Love Movement.'

'#dearDilla' ends with a nice sentiment from Phife Dawg: "ATCQ forever." This comes after the group played what Q-Tip said was their last shows ever during the Yeezus tour stops in New York.

The song's accompanying Konee Rok-directed visual -- shot in Atlanta -- will debut on Feb. 6 at the Midtown Art Cinema in the city.

Listen to Phife Dawg's '#dearDilla'

[Via OkayPlayer]