Jay Stay Paid

Last updated
Jay Stay Paid
J-dilla414.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 2, 2009
Recorded2003–2006 (J Dilla's vocals)
Genre Hip hop, instrumental hip hop
Length57:54
Label Nature Sounds
Producer J Dilla, Ma Dukes (exec.)
J Dilla chronology
Jay Deelicious: The Delicious Vinyl Years
(2007)
Jay Stay Paid
(2009)
Dillatronic
(2015)
Singles from Jay Stay Paid
  1. "Reality Check"
    Released: May 12, 2009
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 81/100 [1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
The A.V. Club A− [3]
Robert Christgau B+ [4]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [5]
Pitchfork 8.1/10 [6]
PopMatters 6/10 [7]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
URB Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [9]
XXL 4/5 [10]

Jay Stay Paid is the fifth studio album by album by American hip hop producer and rapper J Dilla. It was released as a posthumous album on June 2, 2009, by Nature Sounds. [11] Despite the fact that the album has contributing vocals from several artists, it is roughly classified as an instrumental hip hop album.

Contents

Background

The album is a 28-track collection of unreleased Dilla beats mixed and arranged by Pete Rock. Although Jay Stay Paid is mostly instrumental, it includes guests vocals from several artists that Dilla worked with or admired, such as Black Thought, Havoc, Raekwon, MF DOOM, and M.O.P. It was executive produced by Dilla's mother Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey along with the musical supervision of Dilla's musical idol, Pete Rock. In regard to the album's feel and direction Ma Dukes stated:

It wasn't rushed and it wasn't haphazard. This album combines what he did in the beginning of his career, what he did in some of our early hospital stays, which was very deep, and some stuff pulled from old floppy disks & DATs. It's mind blowing... this is like the missing links to Dilla's legacy. [12]

Art Direction and illustrations for Jay Stay Paid were contributed by graphic artist Mike Orduna (Fatoe) for Fatoe.com.

In promotion for the album, the Beat Junkies released a free sampler of the album. [13]

The format of the album plays like a radio show with Pete Rock as the program director. With regards to Pete's involvement, Ms. Yancey has stated, "Dilla wanted to pattern himself behind Pete. His dream was to become as close as possible to what Pete stood for. Pete meant everything to him. Dilla would have just been flabbergasted!" Pete has reciprocated Dilla's admiration, stating, "Dude was amazing. He just kinda came outta nowhere and the more you heard his beats the better they got. He may not be here with us, but it's all good; we're going to keep his music alive and well."[ citation needed ]

The album debuted at the No. 96 on the Billboard charts with a total of 5,400 copies sold in its first week. [14]

In July 2009, video director Derek Pike shot a video for the single "24k Rap" featuring Havoc and Raekwon.

Track listing

[15]

#TitleFeaturingTimeSample(s)
1KJay FM Dedication Pete Rock 0:56*"King of the Beats" by Mantronix, "Theme from Hurricane David" by R. Stevie Moore
2King1:28*"A Treatise on Cosmic Fire: Intro - Prana" by Todd Rundgren
3I Told Yall2:49*"Basketball Throwdown" by The Cold Crush Brothers
4Lazer Gunne Funke1:21*"King of the Beats" by Mantronix
5In The Night (Owl N Out) / While You Slept (I Crept)2:00
6Smoke Blu 2:09*"King of the Beats" by Mantronix and *"The Fairy Garden" by Isao Tomita
7Blood SportLil' Fame2:58
8CaDILLAc2:01
9Expensive Whip1:25
10Kaklow (Jump On It)0:56*"1984 (Part 1)" by Anthony Phillips
11Digi Dirt Phat Kat 0:54
12Dilla Bot Vs. The Hybrid Danny Brown & Constantine2:24
13Milk Money1:27*"Snow Creatures" by Quincy Jones
"Make the Move" (Caddyshack soundtrack) by Kenny Loggins
14Spacecowboy Vs. Bobble Head2:38*"Let the Sunshine In" by Mort Garson
15Reality Check Black Thought 2:40*"Bup Ba Bup Bup Ba Ba Ba" by J Dilla
Also known as "Reality TV"
16On Stilts1:26*"Talybont" by Gentle Giant
17Fire Wood Drumstix DOOM 1:31*"Hey Hey Hey Heyyyy" by J Dilla
18Glamour Sho75 (09)3:02"Come Give Your Love To Me" by Janet Jackson
1910,000 Watts1:42*"Thief's Theme"* by Nas
209th Caller1:53*"Oh No I Don't Believe It" by Fraternity of Man
21Make It Fast (Unadulterated Mix)Diz Gibran5:01*"Rock N Roll" by J Dilla
2224K Rap Havoc & Raekwon 4:22*"(Don't Want No) Woman" by Lee Michaels
23Big City1:02
24Pay DayFrank Nitty of Frank n Dank 1:25
25See That Boy Fly Illa J & Cue D3:44*"Flyyyyy" by J Dilla
26Coming Back1:13*"The Affair" by Brother to Brother (1974)
27Mythsysizer1:44
28KJay & We Out Pete Rock 1:58*"The Wisdom of Time" by The Supremes
29Make It Fast (Vinyl Bonus Track) Bun B & Termanology 2:48

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wu-Tang Clan</span> American hip hop collective

Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop collective formed in Staten Island, New York City, in 1992. Its members include RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and, until his death in 2004, Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Close affiliate Cappadonna later became an official member. Wu-Tang Clan are regarded as one of the greatest and most influential groups in hip hop history, helping to popularize and develop the East Coast hip hop and hardcore hip hop styles.

<i>The Infamous Mobb Deep</i> 2014 studio album by Mobb Deep

The Infamous Mobb Deep is the eighth and final studio album by American hip hop duo Mobb Deep, which is composed of Havoc and Prodigy. The album was released on April 1, 2014, by Prodigy's Infamous Records and Sony's RED Distribution. The Infamous Mobb Deep is a double album that consists of one disc of new original music and another of unreleased tracks from the recording sessions from their second studio album The Infamous (1995). The album had been in development since 2011, but was delayed by a feud that occurred between Havoc and Prodigy during 2012. However, they shortly reconciled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Havoc (musician)</span> American rapper and record producer from New York

Kejuan Waliek Muchita, better known by his stage name Havoc, is an American rapper and record producer. He was one half of the hip hop duo Mobb Deep with Prodigy.

<i>Fantastic, Vol. 2</i> Album by Slum Village

Fantastic, Vol. 2 is the second album by American hip hop group Slum Village, released on June 13, 2000. During the time of its release the group was still composed of its earliest members T3, Baatin and J Dilla.

<i>Welcome 2 Detroit</i> 2001 studio album by J Dilla

Welcome 2 Detroit is the debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist J Dilla, released on February 26, 2001. The album followed his group Slum Village's critically acclaimed Fantastic, Vol. 2, and kicked off BBE's "Beat Generation" series.

<i>Donuts</i> (album) 2006 studio album by J Dilla

Donuts is the second studio album by the American hip hop producer J Dilla, released on February 7, 2006, by Stones Throw Records. It was released on the day of his 32nd birthday, three days before his death.

<i>Ruff Draft</i> 2003 studio album / EP by Jay Dee

Ruff Draft is an EP reissued as a studio album by American hip hop producer and rapper J Dilla released under the moniker "Jay Dee". It was originally released in February 2003 as an EP, by his then-newly founded label, Mummy Records, and distributed by Groove Attack, a German record label. In 2007, Ruff Draft was extended, remastered, and posthumously re-released as a "solo album" by Stones Throw Records. The re-release sold 8,049 copies in its first week, J Dilla's largest first-week sales as a solo artist.

<i>Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II</i> 2009 studio album by Raekwon

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II is the fourth studio album by American hip hop recording artist and Wu-Tang Clan-member Raekwon, released September 8, 2009, on Ice H2O/EMI Records in the United States. The album experienced numerous delays to its release due to Raekwon's approach of continual re-writing, as well as distribution issues with his record labels. Serving as the sequel to his critically acclaimed debut album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... (1995), Pt. II maintains many of the themes covered on its predecessor, and features guest appearances from several Wu-Tang members, as well as Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss and Beanie Sigel.

Beat Konducta is an 8-album series released by hip hop musician Madlib. "Beat Konducta" is also an alias which Madlib uses. The series began officially in 2006 with the release of Beat Konducta Vol 1-2: Movie Scenes. The album was stylistically a companion to J Dilla's Donuts, which was released the month before, 3 days prior to Yancey's death. He has since followed with Beat Konducta Vol 3-4: Beat Konducta in India in 2007 and Beat Konducta Vol. 5-6: A Tribute to...(Dil Cosby and Dil Withers Suite) in 2008, which is a tribute to Yancey. Although the 2010 release Beat Konducta in Africa is an installment of the Madlib Medicine Show series, it is also considered a part of the Beat Konducta series.

<i>The Shining</i> (J Dilla album) 2006 studio album by J Dilla

The Shining is the third studio album by American hip hop producer and rapper J Dilla, who died on February 10, 2006. The Shining was incomplete at the time of J Dilla's passing and was posthumously completed by producer Karriem Riggins. Discounting the instrumental album Donuts, The Shining was the first full-length solo release by J Dilla since Welcome 2 Detroit five years earlier, and as such was highly anticipated. It was released on August 22, 2006, through BBE Records. An instrumental version of the album followed its release shortly afterward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nature Sounds</span> American record label

Nature Sounds is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York, specializing in hip hop and reggae music. The label is independently owned and operated. It was founded by Devin Horwitz in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J Dilla</span> American record producer and rapper (1974–2006)

James Dewitt Yancey, better known by the stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was an American record producer, drummer, rapper and songwriter. He emerged in the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michigan, as a member of the group Slum Village. He was also a member of the Soulquarians, a musical collective active during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

<i>The Diary</i> (J Dilla album) 2016 studio album by J Dilla

The Diary is the sixth studio album by American hip hop recording artist J Dilla. It was originally intended for release in 2002 via MCA Records under the title Pay Jay. This long-lost album is the final batch of unissued material that J Dilla had assembled for release during his lifetime. It also represents his first rap album released since Ruff Draft (2003) and Champion Sound (2003). Unlike previous full-length releases – from Jay Stay Paid (2009) to Dillatronic (2015) – all edited with unreleased instrumentals, The Diary is a collection of Dilla's vocal performances over his production and that of other producers, such as Madlib, Pete Rock, Nottz, Hi-Tek and Karriem Riggins among others. It also features vocal performances by Snoop Dogg, Bilal, Kokane, Frank n Dank, Nottz, Kenny Wray and Boogie. Recording sessions for the album took place from September 16, 2001, to April 2, 2002, at The Spaceship in Clinton Township and Studio A in Detroit, and it was mastered by Dave Cooley at Elysian Masters in Los Angeles.

<i>Albert Einstein</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Prodigy and The Alchemist

Albert Einstein is the second and last collaborative studio album by American hip hop recording artist Prodigy of Mobb Deep and American record producer The Alchemist. The album was released on June 11, 2013, by Infamous Records. The album features guest appearances from Roc Marciano, Domo Genesis, The Alchemist, Havoc, Raekwon and Action Bronson.

<i>Fly International Luxurious Art</i> 2015 studio album by Raekwon

Fly International Luxurious Art is the sixth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon. The album was released on April 28, 2015, by Ice H2O Records and Caroline Records. The album was supported by the singles "All About You", "Soundboy Kill It" and "Wall to Wall".

<i>13</i> (Havoc album) 2013 studio album by Havoc

13 is the third solo studio album by American rapper Havoc. The album was released on May 7, 2013 by Nature Sounds. The singles "Tell Me to My Face", "Gone" and "Life We Chose" have been released. The album features guest appearances from Styles P, Raekwon, Lloyd Banks, Masspike Miles, Royce da 5'9" and Twista.

<i>A Better Tomorrow</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Wu-Tang Clan

A Better Tomorrow is the sixth studio album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. The album was released on December 2, 2014, by Warner Bros. Records. The album was supported by the singles "Keep Watch", "Ron O'Neal" and "Ruckus in B Minor". A Better Tomorrow received generally mixed reviews from music critics. The album debuted at number 29 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 24,386 copies in its first week of release.

<i>Sunset Blvd.</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Yancey Boys

Sunset Blvd. is the debut LP by Detroit-based hip hop duo Yancey Boys, released on October 29, 2013 by Yancey Media Group in conjunction with Delicious Vinyl and distributed through Traffic Entertainment Group. The record is built around a recently unearthed batch of music created by Illa J's late elder brother, James "J Dilla" Yancey. The album features the latter's past collaborators like De La Soul's Posdnuos, Slum Village's T3, Common, The Pharcyde's Slimkid3 and Talib Kweli. Additional guests on Sunset Blvd. include DJs Rhettmatic, C-Minus, and J. Rocc as well as rapper Guilty Simpson and R&B singer Eric Roberson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illa J</span> American rapper

John Derek Yancey, better known by his stage name Illa J, is an American rapper, singer, producer and songwriter. from Detroit, Michigan who has released two albums on Delicious Vinyl Records. He is the younger brother of the late hip hop producer, and rapper J Dilla, and a former member of hip hop group Slum Village. He also released a collaborative album as Yancey Boys along with Frank Nitt. Illa J's second solo album ILLA J came out via the Brooklyn based record label, Bastard Jazz.

<i>Yancey Boys</i> 2008 studio album by Illa J

Yancey Boys is the debut studio album by Detroit-based rapper/singer Illa J, featuring instrumental production from his late brother Jay Dee, also known as J Dilla. The album was released on November 4, 2008 under Delicious Vinyl. The beats were created from 1995 to 1998 during Jay Dee's tenure with Delicious Vinyl. The album's release was supported by two singles – "We Here" and "Sounds Like Love" featuring Debi Nova. Recording sessions for the album took place at Yancey Boys Studio in Los Angeles in 2008. Stones Throw Records released a digital instrumental version of the album in 2009.

References

  1. "Reviews for Jay Stay Paid by J Dilla aka Jay Dee". Metacritic . Archived from the original on 2015-01-19. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  2. AllMusic review
  3. Rabin, Nathan (2009-06-09). "The A.V. Club review". Avclub.com. Archived from the original on 2009-06-14. Retrieved 2014-02-20.
  4. "Robert Christgau review". Music.msn.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2014-02-20.
  5. "Los Angeles Times review". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. 2009-06-09. Archived from the original on 2014-05-06. Retrieved 2014-02-20.
  6. "Pitchfork Media review". Pitchfork.com. 2009-06-02. Archived from the original on 2014-02-17. Retrieved 2014-02-20.
  7. Martin, Andrew. "PopMatters review". PopMatters. Archived from the original on 2012-10-18. Retrieved 2014-02-20.
  8. Rolling Stone review [ dead link ]
  9. URB review Archived June 15, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  10. "XXL review". Xxlmag.com. 2009-06-02. Archived from the original on 2010-08-16. Retrieved 2014-02-20.
  11. AllMusic information
  12. "Amazon information". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2014-02-20.
  13. "Nahright". Nahright. 2009-05-13. Archived from the original on 2015-11-01. Retrieved 2014-02-20.
  14. "Update: Eminem Comes Close To Platinum Status, New CDs From AZ & Torae Fail To Chart". Xxlmag.Com. 2009-06-10. Archived from the original on 2010-01-30. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  15. "Nahright". Nahright. 2009-05-12. Archived from the original on 2012-02-16. Retrieved 2014-02-20.