Welcome 2 Detroit is the debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist J Dilla, released on February 26, 2001. The album followed his group Slum Village's critically acclaimed Fantastic, Vol. 2, and kicked off BBE's "Beat Generation" series (producer-driven albums).
Welcome 2 Detroit bears the name "Jay Dee" as well as "J Dilla", and marks the first time Dilla (who until that point was still known as Jay Dee) officially used the name J Dilla.
Contents
Overview
Welcome 2 Detroit is a showcase of the talent from J Dilla's hometown, introducing a pre-Slum Village Elzhi on the song "Come Get It", and making room for his longtime 1st Down partner Phat Kat on the appropriately titled "Featuring Phat Kat".
The album's sound ranges from grimy hardcore hip hop ("Pause") to electronic psychedelia ("B.B.E."). The track "Rico Suave Bossa Nova" is inspired by Brazilian music group Azymuth. As Dilla mentions in the extensive liner notes:
I fell in love with Brazilian music the day I listened to a Sérgio Mendes album. We used to have jam sessions in the studio after work was done, (and) one day my mans Karriem Riggins came through. I asked him for "Bossa nova". He gave me exactly what I needed.
J Dilla covers Donald Byrd's "Think Twice," singing the lead vocals.
On "African Rhythms", J Dilla covers the Afro beat group Plunky & the Oneness of Juju's song of the same name, replaying all the instruments as well as mimicking the spoken introduction.
On the album's outro "One," J Dilla takes a moment to thank all who have helped him in the hip-hop industry, including Slum Village, Q-Tip and De La Soul. The Pop band 'N Sync is also mentioned. An instrumental version of the album was released on August 23, 2005.
Track listing
All tracks produced by J Dilla except "The Clapper," which is produced by Karriem Riggins and co-produced by J Dilla.
"Welcome 2 Detroit" – 0:49
"Y'all Ain't Ready" – 1:28
"Think Twice" (featuring Dwele) – 3:52
"The Clapper" (featuring Blu) – 2:06
"Come Get It" (featuring Elzhi) – 5:02
"Pause" (featuring Frank N Dank) – 2:45
"B.B.E. (Big Booty Express)" – 2:12
"Beej-N-Dem Pt. 2" (featuring Beej) – 2:49
"Brazilian Groove" (EWF) – 1:30
"It's Like That" (featuring Hodge Podge aka Big Tone and Lacks aka Ta'Raach) – 4:05
"Give It Up" – 3:08
"Rico Suave Bossa Nova" – 1:25
"Featuring Phat Kat" (featuring Phat Kat) – 3:43
"Shake It Down" – 2:55
"African Rhythms" – 1:36
"One" – 1:30
Welcome 2 Detroit - The 20th Anniversary Edition
This edition was released on February 5, 2021, on the BBE label, containing the original 16 tracks, with instrumentals, bonus mixes, beats and alternate takes.
Personnel
James Yancey - rap, vocals, instruments, production
Karriem Riggins - drums, percussion, production
Dwele Gardner - keyboards, trumpet, bass guitar, fender rhodes
Antwan Gardner - trombone
Frank Bush - rap, claves
Derrick Harvey - rap
Jason Powers - rap
Ronnie Watts - rap
Anthony Jackson - rap
Terrell McMathis - rap
Blu - rap
Beej - rap
Recording
Recorded at Pay-Jay Studios, Studio A, Dearborn
Engineered by James Yancey and Todd Fairall
All songs mixed by James Yancey and Todd Fairall at Studio A, Dearborn.
Mastered by Shawn Joseph, Optimum Mastering
Executive producers: Peter Adarkwah and James Yancey
Co-executive producer: Timotheous Entertainment
Art Direction and Design: Thomas Mc Callion
