R.I.P. J Dilla

Hip Hop MC and producer Jay Dee aka J-Dilla, (real name James Yancy) died Friday morning at the age of 32. After suffering from a ruptured kidney caused by malnutrition, a byproduct of being overworked and overstressed about this time a year ago, J-Dilla struggled to get back to full health. His official cause of death has not yet been released. He put together his latest instrumental album Donuts while hospitalized in his home studio.

In 2004 rumors of Dilla’s failing health materialized when he revealed in Urb Magazine the he suffered from kidney problems as a result of malnutrition.

"What happened was that the doctor told me that I’d ruptured my kidney from being too busy and being stressed out and not eating right...There’d be days when I wouldn’t eat at all because I’d be in the basement working all day," said Jay Dee. "This is definitely my second chance, my wakeup call. I still love the music, but I wouldn’t put it first in my life. It’s family first - and then everything else."

Lupus is a disease in which a person’s immune system goes into overdrive and attacks the body’s normal, healthy cells.

Dilla formed the trio Slum Village in the late 1990s but left after its successful debut album to pursue a solo career. J Dilla’s other recent collaborations include Kanye West on Common’s latest record Be, Busta Rhymes, and Madlib to produce Champion Sound under the name Jaylib released by Stones Throw Records. He was also part of the production team for Tribe Called Quest called the Ummah and worked in the past on Common’s Like Water for Chocolate and was also considered to be Pharrell’s favorite producer.

He celebrated his 32nd birthday Tuesday with a new album release, Donuts.

Jay Dee’s innovative style and immense talent will be sorely missed.

R.I.P J Dilla 1974 - 2006