Illa J facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Illa J
Illa J Performing at Hip Hop You Don't Stop in Montreal in September 2015
Background information
Birth name	John Derek Yancey
Born	(1986-10-13) October 13, 1986 (age 38) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper singer producer songwriter
Instruments	Turntables MPC3000 sampler drum machine keyboards synthesizer drums vocals bass
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Bastard Jazz Recordings Delicious Vinyl Yancey Media Group
Associated acts	J Dilla Frank Nitt Slum Village Moka Only Potatohead People

John Derek Yancey (born October 13, 1986), known as Illa J, is an American rapper, singer, and producer from Detroit, Michigan. He has released several albums, including two on Delicious Vinyl Records. Illa J is the younger brother of the famous hip hop producer and rapper J Dilla. He was also a member of the hip hop group Slum Village. He also worked with Frank Nitt on an album as Yancey Boys.

Growing Up with Music

Illa J grew up in a very musical family. His older brother was the well-known hip hop producer J Dilla. His mother, Maureen Yancey, was an opera singer. His father was a jazz bassist. John was the youngest of four children. They lived in Detroit.

Before focusing on music, Illa J enjoyed playing basketball. In 2006, after his brother J Dilla passed away, Illa J decided to leave Central Michigan University. He chose to continue his family's musical legacy.

Illa J's Music Career

In 2008, Illa J released his first album, Yancey Boys. This album used beats that his brother J Dilla had made but never released. These beats were found at Delicious Vinyl Records. A digital version of the album came out in 2009.

In 2010, he released a shorter music collection called 4 Past Midnite. Later, in 2013, he joined the group Slum Village with T3 and Young RJ. They released the album Evolution. That same year, he also released Sunset Blvd with Frank Nitt as Yancey Boys. In 2015, his album ILLA J was released by Bastard Jazz Records.

Illa J's Albums and Songs

Illa J has released many projects throughout his career.

Studio Albums

• 2008: Yancey Boys
• 2015: ILLA J
• 2017: Home
• 2018: John Yancey

Collaborative Albums

• 2013: Evolution (with T3 & Young RJ as Slum Village)
• 2013: Sunset Blvd. (with Frank Nitt as Yancey Boys)
• 2015: YES (with T3 & Young RJ as Slum Village)

EPs

• 2007: Illa J EP
• 2010: 4 Past Midnite

Mixtapes

• 2012: Dirty Slums (with T3 & Young RJ as Slum Village)
• 2013: Dirty Slums 2 (with T3 & Young RJ as Slum Village)

Singles

• 2008: "We Here"
• 2009: "Sound Like Love" (featuring Debi Nova)
• 2010: "Affair"
• 2012: "The Throwaway" (featuring Frank Nitt)
• 2013: "Quicksand" (Yancey Boys featuring Common and Dezi Paige)
• 2015: "Universe"
• 2015: "All Good Pt. 2" (featuring Moka Only & Ivan Ave)
• 2018: Enjoy the Ride