A previously unreleased J Dilla mixtape has been shared online 17 years after its creation. Back to the Crib, made sometime between mid-1999 and early 2000, mixes music from artists including Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, The Doobie Brothers, Chaka Khan, Sade, and more.
Peter Adarkwah, the co-founder of BBE Records, shared some background information on the tape:
Towards the end of 1999 or early 2000, it was my first trip to Detroit. James [Yancey] was working with James Poyser on Erykah [Badu]’s Mama’s Gun LP. We’d checked out a couple of record stores, I can’t recall where or their names, and this tape was playing in the car. I recall “Think Twice was” on the tape and I suggested there and then that he do a cover with Erykah for the BBE album. We didn’t get the Erykah feature, but people sure remember James’ cover. We drove past a sign, it said, ‘Welcome To Detroit’ and I suggested that would be a good name for the album. When we pulled over James gave me the tape and said this is yours, or words to effect.
The reissue of J Dilla’s The Shining drops August 29 on BBE Records to celebrate its 10th anniversary. The new release can be pre-ordered here now.
