Documentary 'Still Shining' Released In Honor Of J. Dilla

A full documentary on J. Dilla dropped today (February 7th), on what would have been the critically acclaimed producer's 37th birthday.

Gifted Films Inc. teamed with OkayPlayer.com and Brian "B. Kyle" Atkins to produce J. Dilla: Still Shining, an 39-minute documentary project on the Detroit-born producer.

J. Dilla is a revered producer who utilized technology  as well as live instrumentation throughout his career, to craft a previously-unheard style of production.

Artists like Slum Village, The Pharcyde, Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Janet Jackson, Common, Guru, Vivian Greene, Talib Kweli, Mos Def and others benefited from Dilla's sound.

Tragically, J. Dilla died on February 10th, 2006, just days after his 32nd birthday.

The producer suffered from Lupus, an incurable blood disease that effects over 5 million people across the world, annually.

Still Shining tells the story of J. Dilla, born James Yancey, through photographs, rare concert footage and exclusive testimonials from artists like Common, Q-Tip, Erkyah Badu, Busta Rhymes, ?uest Love DJ House Shoes and others.

Production on Still Shining began on the day of Dilla's funeral, according to producers of the documentary.

"I'm very happy to have this opportunity to thank his fans," said J. Dilla's mother Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey. "I am happy as can be for the support he has been given, [it] lets me know that he work was not in vain and all of the work he has will live forever.

"He has so much more that's going to be given to the world and this was his wish during his illness, that he be able to give his gift to the world," Ms. Yancey continued. "He was able to live long enough to give that gift back and it will last a lifetime. I'm so proud. I'm not mourning because I am rejoicing. I have been so blessed to have been the mother of a genius."

Still Shining is an interesting, personal look into the life of Dilla, with comment from the man himself, who revealed his inspirations for production.

"I get the inspiration from talking to people like Pete Rock and Diamond D," Dilla revealed. "Every time I call Pete, he's in the basement. Every time I call him he's working. Every time I call Diamond, he's in the lab. So it's like it's nothing for me to do but do the same thing."

"It was a great experience being around him," legendary producer Pete Rock commented. "We gave each other a lot of inspiration, I would call him on the phone what time it was. If I had a beat going that was crazy, I was letting him hear it. And he would do the same thing."

In related news, Detroit rapper Black Milk will hit SOB's in New York on February 10th to pay tribute to Dilla, with Danny Brown and DJ Houseshoes.

In related news, Detroit rapper Black Milk will hit SOB's in New York on February 10th to pay tribute to Dilla, with Danny Brown and DJ Houseshoes.

Here's a previously unreleased track by Consequence and Q-Tip, with production by J. Dilla.