New Music: J Dilla feat. Nas - 'The Sickness'
J Dilla’s long lost vocal album The Diary is almost here. After teasing the LP with “Gangsta Boogie” and a live premiere of “The Sickness,” the late great artist’s estate has unleashed the latter cut off the project, which is set to drop Friday (Apr. 15).
The previously unreleased track mashes Nas with the legendary beatsmith over Madlib’s head-knocking production. While Dilla boasts about his one-of-a-kind nature, the Mass Appeal boss brags about his many business ventures. It’s a special song too because it’s set to be one of two exclusive iTunes bonus cuts.
This is a reminder of another single from the album, “The Introduction.” Jay Dee kicks off that track by channeling Q-Tip’s classic “Excursions” opener from A Tribe Called Quest’s Low End Theory. Then, he delivers rhymes that can also be heard on “The Sickness.”
The Diary was initially meant to drop back in 2002. However, it was held back due to label troubles. Now, it is being released through Pay Jay and Mass Appeal, with features from Snoop Dogg, Bilal, Kokane, and Nottz, among others. Producers Hi-Tek, Pete Rock, and Madlib also contributed to the effort.
The Diary is now available for pre-order on iTunes. Listen to “The Introduction” below.