Celebrate Dilla Day in the A with his namesake UPDATED
October 22nd, 2009 by Rodney Carmichael in Music news
Of all the things happening this Saturday, Oct. 24 on Dilla Day in Atlanta — including a performance by the deceased hip-hop producer’s brother Illa J that night; a Lupus Walk that morning to support further research into the disease Dilla battled in life; and Dilla’s Dream Camp from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., which will offer MPC production lessons to participants 16-and-under — the most significant event could be the one that takes place at 7 p.m. at the Atlanta Bench (602A Marietta St. 404-512-7671).
That’s when Amond Jackson (co-host, 89.3’s “Beatz & Lyrics Show” w/Jayforce) and taj anwar (hip-hop activist) will hold a name blessing ceremony for their months-old baby boy, Dilla Premier Wonder Jackson.
Named for his parents’ most beloved hip-hop producers (J Dilla, DJ Premier, 9th Wonder), their son has already graced the cover of Creative Loafing (his dad’s holding him up on the Aug. 8 issue) and made a feature appearance in Stahhr’s recent “Still Dope” video.
Not even a year yet, and already the kid’s doin’ it big.
UPDATE: Before posting, I emailed taj anwar to get the story behind her son Dilla’s name. Here it is, in her words:
I chose to name my son Dilla because of my love and respect for JDilla as a person. If my marriage to Amond was a movie- then JDilla’s music is the soundtrack. Our son is a symbol of that.
I met JDilla in 2004. I was a really big fan so when I had the opportunity to meet him- I was amped to say the least. I was introduced to him, and our first conversation went like this-
“Do you rap?” [Dilla asked]
“No.”
“Do you sing?”
“No.”
“Do poetry?”
“No.”
“What do you do?”
“I’m a teacher.”
“That’s what’s up. I want to teach through my music.”I think that’s why he spoke with me. I didn’t want to dickride or talk about myself. I really just let him talk. The conversation made me respect him more as person.
We spoke briefly about a music summer camp idea he had that would expose children to hip hop.
This is an idea he also shared with his mother MaDukes and Uncle Herm- that’s why we thought we would keep that flame alive… Bringing hip hop culture to the youth.
Besides J Dilla, DJ Premier and 9th Wonder being her favorite producers, anwar is also a fan of producers Havoc (Mobb Deep), RZA, Alchemist and Pete Rock. “But those don’t make good baby names,” she relayed via text. “LOL.”
DILLA AND BABY DILLA
(Illustration courtesy Goldi Gold)
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