We All Need This Unreleased J Dilla Tape, 'Back to the Crib'
Gone but never forgotten.
Ten years ago, J Dilla passed away at a way-too-early age and left behind a posthumously-finished album known as The Shining. Originally released via BBE Records, The Shining is set to see re-release on 7” for the very first time, and in honor of the occasion, the good people at Boiler Room have liberated this previously-unreleased J Dilla mixtape. Known as Back to the Crib, this newly-unearthed effort features Dilla’s work from 1999 and 2000. In an official statement, BBE Records co-founder Peter Adarkwah had this to say about this rare project:
Towards the end of 1999 or early 2000, it was my first trip to Detroit. James (Yancey) was working with James Poyser on Erykah’s Mama’s Gun LP. We’d checked out a couple of record stores (I can’t recall where or their names) and this tape was playing in the car. I recall “Think Twice was” on the tape and I suggested there and then that he do a cover with Erykah for the BBE album. We didn’t get the Erykah feature, but people sure remember James’ cover. We drove past a sign, it said Welcome To Detroit and I suggested that would be a good name for the album. When we pulled over James gave me the tape and said this is yours, or words to effect.
You can stream J Dilla’s entire Back to the Crib tape below.
