Story and Photos by Marika N. Johnson
On Sunday, May 24, music enthusiasts arrived at Birmingham’s Woodrow Hall to pay homage to one of the nation’s most prolific hip-hop producers, James Dewitt Yancey, better known as J Dilla. Known for his unique and innovative ear, J Dilla produced many chart-topping hits before his passing in 2006 — working with artists such as Erykah Badu, Common and The Roots. He also formed the influential group Slum Village and was a key member of the music collective Soulquarians.
“We didn’t want just a party,” said Shawheed Tawheed, organizer and co-founder of the James D. Yancey Foundation Birmingham Chapter. “We also wanted to do something for the youth and also to have representatives from the Lupus Foundation of America present to bring awareness to this deadly disease.” J Dilla died from complications due to Lupus…