Origins of the Dillagence II Project
Busta Rhymes recently announced his latest album, Dillagence II, which centers on a massive collection of unreleased beats. The rapper secured nearly 300 tracks from J Dilla before the producer died in 2006. These recordings sat in archives for two decades until Rhymes decided to curate them for this release.
Building this album required meticulous selection. Rhymes sought to honor the legacy of his friend while providing new material for fans. The production reflects the signature style Dilla became famous for in the mid-2000s.
The Uncovered D’Angelo Collaboration
The most notable discovery on the tracklist is a session featuring the late singer D’Angelo. The two musicians recorded a demo roughly 20 years ago that never reached completion. Rhymes discovered the recording while sifting through the Dilla archives.
One specific song, titled This Woman, showcases a scratch vocal performance from D’Angelo. He croons over a beat textured with marimbas and sharp guitar strikes. The vocal track interpolates the classic dancehall anthem Bam Bam by Sister Nancy. Despite being a rough take, the quality of the vocal remains striking.
Honoring Lost Peers
Rhymes held deep professional and personal ties to both Dilla and D’Angelo. After D’Angelo died last October, Rhymes released a tribute track titled Magic to commemorate their connection. This project serves as a final bow to those collaborative relationships.
In recent media discussions, Rhymes noted how D’Angelo shifted the music scene during his prime. He described D’Angelo as someone who successfully balanced ancestral influences with modern production. This new album brings those creative threads together.
Industry Impact and Release Details
Aside from the posthumous feature, the album includes guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Common, and Big Sean. Anderson .Paak, Ludacris, and Jon Batiste also contribute to the 19 tracks. The volume of talent involved highlights the respect Rhymes commands among his peers.
A music video for This Woman, directed by Hype Williams, debuts today at 12 p.m. ET. This project acts as a capstone for a significant era in hip-hop history. Listeners should monitor how these archival sessions influence production trends in the coming months.