In this milestone 10th year, The J Dilla Tribute & Fundraiser aka DC Loves Dilla continues to honor the late, great producer and beatsmith, James Dewitt Yancey aka Jay Dee/J Dilla. Each year, members of Dilla’s musical family, alongside amazing regional talents weave their lyrical offerings within J Dilla's music - performed by 13 piece ensemble, The Players lead by music director Jon Laine. Dilla's production work ranged from Slum Village, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul to The Roots, Common, Busta Rhymes, Erykah Badu. Without question, his music continues to influence to this day. 
 
In 2014, DC Loves Dilla had the honor of hosting the announcement of Dilla's equipment donation to The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. This year, the celebration officially headlined at one of the biggest music festivals in the nation, SXSW in Austin, Texas.
 
Over the last decade, DC Loves Dilla has attracted thousands from across the nation and featured over 65 performersincluding De La Soul, Bilal, The Pharcyde, Robert Glasper, Slum Village, Talib Kweli, Dwele, Pete Rock, Phife Dawg [A Tribe Called Quest]. Plus Area favorites Raheem Devaughn, Oddisee, Maimouna Youssef, Yahzarah, Asheru, Wes Felton, Kev Brown and many more. 

Although J Dilla passed from Lupus complications in 2006, the music lives on. Proceeds benefit youth programs and lupus initiatives.