''Jay Stay Paid'' is the fifth

studio album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...

by album by American

hip hop producer Hip hop production is the creation of hip hop music in a recording studio. While the term encompasses all aspects of hip hop music creation, including recording the rapping of an MC, a turntablist or DJ providing a beat, playing samples and "sc ...

and rapper

J Dilla James Dewitt Yancey (February 7, 1974 – February 10, 2006), better known by the stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was an American record producer, composer and rapper. He emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michiga ...

. It was released as a posthumous album on June 2, 2009, by

Nature Sounds Nature Sounds is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York, specializing in hip hop and reggae music. The label is independently owned and operated. It was founded by Devin Horwitz in 2003. History Nature Sounds was founded in 2003 by Devin H ...

. Despite the fact that the album has contributing vocals from several artists, it is roughly classified as an

instrumental hip hop Hip hop production is the creation of hip hop music in a recording studio. While the term encompasses all aspects of hip hop music creation, including recording the rapping of an MC, a turntablist or DJ providing a beat, playing samples and "sc ...

album.

Background

The album is a 28-track collection of unreleased Dilla beats mixed and arranged by

Pete Rock Peter O. Phillips (born June 21, 1970), better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapping, rapper. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest hip hop producers of all time, and is often mentioned along ...

. Although ''Jay Stay Paid'' is mostly instrumental, it includes guests vocals from several artists that Dilla worked with or admired, such as

Black Thought Tariq Luqmaan Trotter (born October 3, 1973), better known as Black Thought, is an American rapper, singer, actor and the lead Emcee (hip hop), MC of the hip hop group The Roots, which he co-founded with drummer Questlove in Philadelphia. Regar ...

Havoc havoc, Havoc, Havocs, Havok, or Havock may also refer to: People with the name * Havoc (musician) (born 1974), American rapper and record producer * Johnny Devine (born 1974), Canadian professional wrestler who uses the ring name Havok * Jimmy H ...

Raekwon Corey Woods (born January 12, 1970), better known by his stage name Raekwon ( ), is an American rapper. He rose to prominence as a founding member of the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, which achieved mainstream success following the release of the ...

, MF DOOM, and

M.O.P. M.O.P. (short for Mash Out Posse) is an American hip-hop duo composed of rappers Billy Danze and Lil' Fame, best known for their song " Ante Up." The group has frequently collaborated with DJ Premier. The group is part of the Gang Starr Fou ...

It was executive produced by Dilla's mother Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey along with the musical supervision of Dilla's musical idol, Pete Rock. In regard to the album's feel and direction Ma Dukes stated: Art Direction and illustrations for ''Jay Stay Paid'' were contributed by graphic artist Mike Orduna (Fatoe) for Fatoe.com. In promotion for the album, the

Beat Junkies The Beat Junkies is an American hip hop crew of DJs specializing in turntablism. Established in 1992 in Cerritos, California by J. Rocc. As of 2014, The Beat Junkie Crew also host their own record pool, clothing line and radio station. The B ...

released a free sampler of the album. The format of the album plays like a radio show with Pete Rock as the program director. With regards to Pete's involvement, Ms. Yancey has stated, "Dilla wanted to pattern himself behind Pete. His dream was to become as close as possible to what Pete stood for. Pete meant everything to him. Dilla would have just been flabbergasted!" Pete has reciprocated Dilla's admiration, stating, "Dude was amazing. He just kinda came outta nowhere and the more you heard his beats the better they got. He may not be here with us, but it's all good; we're going to keep his music alive and well." The album debuted at the No. 96 on the Billboard charts with a total of 5,400 copies sold in its first week. In July 2009, video director Derek Pike shot a video for the single "24k Rap" featuring

and

Track listing

References

External links

Official website
{{Authority control 2009 albums J Dilla albums Instrumental hip-hop albums 2000s instrumental albums Pete Rock albums Albums produced by Pete Rock Albums produced by J Dilla Nature Sounds albums Albums published posthumously