It seems like everyone has an opinion about Kanye West these days, and Illa J, the younger brother of the late J Dilla, is no exception. In a recent interview with AnecDope, he discussed what his legendary brother might be producing if he were still here and shared a spicy opinion about Kanye’s success.
Illa J believes that if J Dilla were still alive today, Kanye West wouldn’t be as prominent. “That’s my opinion,” he stated. “I don’t think Kanye is as big as he is if my brother stayed alive. I’m sorry, Kanye needs seven producers. If you look at the credits, there’s, like, 20 producers on one track. Because it’s a thing to make beats, and then it’s a thing to produce, you know what I mean? Like, yeah, you’re making some crazy stuff. But, like, I mean, [if] we’re talking producers, man, like, Quincy Jones is still the GOAT. That’s a real music producer, you know what I mean? Most people are beatmakers, if we’re being real.”
On the other hand, Kanye has never been shy about his admiration for J Dilla. Back in 2013, during the Stones Throw Records documentary ‘Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton,’ Kanye emphasized the importance of honoring Dilla’s legacy. “We gotta think, ‘If Dilla was alive, would he like this?’” he said. “I have to work on behalf of Dilla. The best respect that we can pay to great artists that have inspired us is to never sell out.”
Illa J has previously voiced concerns about people leveraging J Dilla’s legacy for their own benefit. Last year, he pointed out that many use his brother’s impact to boost their own goals or to form relationships with him. Although this accusation does not directly target Kanye, it does highlight Illa J’s protective stance over his brother’s reputation.
There’s no denying that both artists have made significant contributions to the music industry. While we’ll never know the kind of music J Dilla would be making today, it’s interesting to speculate how his presence might have altered the landscape of hip-hop. Their respective catalogs serve as a testament to their artistry, proving that their influence extends far beyond their individual careers.
In the end, Illa J’s comments add another layer to the ongoing conversation about Kanye West and J Dilla’s legacies. Both have left indelible marks on the music world, and their contributions continue to inspire new generations. Whether you agree with Illa J or not, his perspective serves as a reminder of the complex interplay of talent, influence, and legacy in the ever-evolving world of hip-hop.
