Although I'm not what you’d call a hip-hop fan, as my tastes are Old School, I love the story of J Dilla [[James Yancy), the young Detroit writer/producer, one of the biggest producers in hip-hop, who died at age 32 of Lupus complications, in 2006.

His uncle is opening a hip donut shop in Paradise Valley/Harmonie Park.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...NT09/308270105

Dilla, who grew up in eastside Conant Gardens [[where his mother still lives), was regarded as a musical prodigy. I became enamored of several pieces that were published posthumously – part of a 3-CD set called Suite for Ma Dukes [[named for Dilla’s mom).

Dilla came from a jazz/classical music family and he explored other genres; after he died, Dilla's complex hip-hop compositions were arranged and conducted for orchestra by violinist Miguel Atwood Ferguson, and performed as a tribute to Dilla, at the L.A. jazz fest called Timeless.

I met Ferguson when he was here at a performance of the Charles Wright museum, to showcase the video of the concert. His love for Dilla's music was palpable; he regarded the late young composer as musical genius on par with greats like Quincy Jones. Gone too soon.

http://youtu.be/qTUJ_zPU4o8