Avg Rating: 
4.0 ( 7 total votes )
Somewhere in heaven J Dilla is looking down on us and saying, “Oh sure, now y’all f**king love me.” Sadly, we often take those artists we love for granted while they’re alive, not fully realizing their impact until we look at the space they once occupied and see only an enormous hole. It was true for Kurt Cobain. It was true for Aaliyah. And it’s definitely true for J Dilla. J Dilla was more than a beat maker, he was a sculptor of sound. Unlike the legions of producers focused on pumping out “hot” beats, … ...Read the full album review
DJBooth Album Review
Somewhere in heaven J Dilla is looking down on us and saying, “Oh sure, now y’all f**king love me.” Sadly, we often take those artists we love for granted while they’re alive, not fully realizing their impact until we look at the space they once occupied and see only an enormous hole. It was true for Kurt Cobain. It was true for Aaliyah. And it’s definitely true for J Dilla.
J Dilla was more than a beat maker, he was a sculptor of sound. Unlike the legions of producers focused on pumping out “hot” beats, Dilla carefully constructed his audio monuments to hip-hop, making him a favorite of other producers. (Kanye patterned his production style on Finding Forever after Dilla.) Tragically, Jay Dee passed away after a chronic battle with health problems just as he was starting to earn some well-deserved recognition. In fact, his second album Donuts dropped just three days after his death. Now, more than three years after his passing, his mother Mrs. Yancey – aka Ma Dukes – and another legendary producer Pete Rock have teamed up to release the posthumous compilation Jay Stay Paid, an album that’s simultaneously a celebration of his life and a memorial to his passing.
While the majority of Jay Stay Paid is instrumental, a track without a rhyme is like sex without an orgasm; enjoyable but ultimately lacking. Dilla was beloved by rappers during his reign, working with everyone from Common to A Tribe Called Quest, and sure enough some true MCs grab a mic in tribute on Jay Stay Paid, starting with The Roots frontman Black Thought dropping a concentrated flow on Reality Check. I could wax poetic about Black Thought’s intricate wordplay, but we’re here to celebrate the art of production, and Reality Check’s is classic Dilla – a sharp snare driving cleanly layered vocal samples and synths. It’s the same story on Fire Wood Drumstix, a deceptively complex track featuring the dopely schizophrenic rhyme style of DOOM. Even on playful tracks like Fire Wood Drumstix, Dilla’s gritty Detroit roots are always lurking underneath, a reality that’s most evident on the somber 24K Rap. 24K is a darkly textured track featuring Havoc and Raekwon that’s a true testament to Jay Dee’s production versatility. Speaking of Raekwon, it seems only appropriate to paraphrase a little Wu-Tang: “J Dilla was nothin to f**k with.”
The rap-free portion of Jay Stay Paid is both an opportunity to imagine what could have been and appreciate his production skills in full. There’s no better place to start than the neck breaking Big City, a pounding beat that could have easily become a classic with the right help. (I’d love to hear Luda embrace his inner-underground and drop something over Big City). Personally, I prefer my Dilla a little more experimental, which is why I had to turn the volume up on the spacey Lazer Gunne Funke and the organic On Stilts. Still, the album’s best work might just be In The Night, an engrossing cut that’s equal parts inviting and terrifying. Dilla’s the teacher and we’re all just students, so pick up a copy of Jay Stay Paid and do your homework.
There may come a day when so much posthumous Dilla material is released that we’re down to the tracks he never wanted anyone to hear - something I like to call Tupac Syndrome - but today is not that day. Jay Stay Paid is another chapter in the life, and life after death, of one of the best production talents hip-hop’s ever known. And if you don’t know, now you know.
Listen to More: J Dilla Written by Nathan S.
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Member Reviews and Ratings
Average Member Rating: Total Ratings: 7
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DJ Booth Crew |
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After the VIBE article was published surrounding the degrading condition of J Dilla's estate, it's overwhelming to hear that Ma Dukes and Dilla's kids are finally receiving the compensations they rightfully deserve. Despite Jay Dee's sudden rise to fame after his untimely death, his family's personal conditions have been a nightmare to say the least, and I believe "Jay Stay Paid" is one long overdue project that sheds a positive light on the Yancey family and Dilla's unquestionable legacy.
I don't think there is a need to compare this album to "Donuts" or even "The Shining" for that matter. Dilla has already proven himself to be one of the greatest producers of all-time (he's in my personal top-3) and "Jay Stay Paid" wasn't put together to disperse or change that. A lot of people are suggesting that the album should have included more guest features but I think it's perfect just the way it is. Dilla's beats are so sonically distinct and sharp that they each tell a moving story simply through instrumentation. No one can chop a sample like J Dilla did. The beats and rappers selected for this project really encompassed what J Dilla was all about. I feel like the vibe of the album was just right for a posthumous release that is essentially for the loyal fans. As a fan, of course I want to see more Dilla projects in the future, but only if they are distributed for an artistic purpose. Purchase this record. Pay Jay. |
| Posted on Jun 02, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 56 |
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As a die hard J Dilla fan I had high expectations for this album and it delivered. Many of these beats were not new to me - which I knew would be the case considering I have been scouring the internet for Dilla beats the last 3 years. There are unreleased beat tapes available for free DL in addition to many of the instrumentals found on Youtube and the "Thank You Jay Dee" series by J Rocc @ Stones Throw.
With that said I agree with most of Nathans review with the exception of "While the majority of Jay Stay Paid is instrumental, a track without a rhyme is like sex without an orgasm; enjoyable but ultimately lacking." I respectfully disagree, the beat (for me at least) always carries the track and I would use this analogy instead "a good rhyme on a bad beat is like having great sex with an ugly chick" um, or something like that lol I did have some minor issues though. As much as I like DOOM, if i had to choose i would say that the Dilla songs on his recent album are much better than this one, not that I am surprised by that. I don't think the beat DOOM raps on is a good fit for his flow and style. The Song right after Drumstix, Glamour Sho75, would be a greater fit for him in my opinion. I was also a little upset about See That Boy Fly. I think it is one of the better beats on this album and both Illa's and Cue D give subpar verses. I like Illa J too but he tries to be something hes not on this song, Cue D is absolute garbage is every way that you would want to rate a rapper. No flow, no word play, bad voice. as you can tell i am thoroughly disappointed by this track. I also like Nathan, how you said you would of liked to hear Luda rap on Big City, which after i listen to again after you said that I can hear why you came up with that. I have the same request with Coming Back. I think Dwele would have been PERFECT for this beat. C'mon Dwele you can't make an appearance on your boys posthumus release? Overall my fav instrumentals are 10,000 Watts and Milk Money and my fav tracks with lyrics are Reality TV (such an insane rap by Black Thought its bonkers) and Make it Fast, which Dizzy does a great job on. Jordan, I agree with you saying that it shouldn't be compared with his past albums although in my opinion it ranks up there with them in terms of quality and quantity for that matter. Go out and buy this album, smoke an L and freestyle with your friends, bump it in the whip or @*#$! it, clean your apartment to this shit and you will realize why J Dilla is the Greatest and most versatile producer of all time. RIP J Dilla |
| Posted on Jun 02, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 78 |
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Simply one of the Best and I wish I knew about sooner, I'm definitely copping this album, not just because he is gone, but sitting back, chilling and enjoying some Jay Dee is not bad way to enjoy Hip-Hop. There no need for argument, He really one of the best producers. RIP J Dilla
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| Posted on Jun 03, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 906 |
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Solid album for sure. Truly a great and respective tribute to the GOAT producer.
I disagree with Nathan though, I almost wish I could get a full instrumental version of this album. Some of the beats are too complex to be spit over by any less than a Black-Thought or Common caliber MC. 
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| Posted on Jun 08, 2009 |
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| Posted on Jun 23, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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RIP. DILLA MISS UR MUSIC!
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| Posted on Nov 11, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 188 |
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RIP Dilla. This album successfully helps his legacy live on because it brings the Dilla feel with some rapper's personal touch.
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| Posted on Apr 12, 2010 |
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