Freeload: Illa J, “Strugglin’”

story THE FADER

Illa J’s Yancey Boys is a low key affair featuring previously unreleased beats from his older brother, the late J Dilla. Most of the beats come from ‘95-’98, when The Pharcyde released the Dilla-produced Labcabincalifornia, which also happens to be our favorite Dilla era. Illa J is not going to blow anyone away with lyrically lyrical tongue twisters, but he has put together a fond memory of his brother while imbuing it with his own sense of individuality. FADER Number 58—aka the issue with Kanye West and No Age on the covers—will be on stands next week, and Illa J is part of its stellar Gen F lineup. Until that issue hits newsstands and the internet, listen to “Strugglin’” from Yancey Boys, which is available right now.

Download:Illa J, “Strugglin’”