Hear a Hard-Hitting Notorious B.I.G. and J Dilla Mash-Up Tape
A new twist-up from Seattle artist, D.Social, celebrates a pair of era-defining hip-hop icons.
In 1996, Busta Rhymes was set to host the first on-record collaboration between The Notorious B.I.G. and J Dilla. However, the late Brooklyn rapper used his verse to send shots at Tupac, prompting Busta to head off unwanted tension by removing the track from his then-imminent solo debut, The Coming.
Despite Diddy’s (failed) effort to purchase the beat from Dilla, “The Ugliest” has yet to receive an official release in the 25 years since it was recorded, relegating an all-star link-up to virtual obscurity. The only other instance of Dilla and Biggie crossing their wires is the producer’s remix of “Kick In The Door,” which was exclusively featured on DJ Soul’s essential Assorted Donuts mixtape. But a new mash-up project from Seattle artist, D.Social, imagines how Biggie and Dilla’s collaborative chemistry might have grown out of that moment. On his recently-released Notorious Dilla EP, D.Social laces a batch of the Detroit producer’s finest with an assortment of beloved Biggie performances, including “Get Money,” “Party & Bullshit,” “Think Big,” and more.
The seven-track tape is available to stream below via Soundcloud. And it should provide a placeholding warm-up for the soon-to-drop 25th-anniversary deluxe edition of Busta’s The Coming. Arriving this Friday, April 16th, the 36-track expansion features the official releases of J Dilla’s three 12″ remixes of “It’s A Party” and “Ill Vibe,” along with the album’s full instrumentals and previously unheard edits (but, sadly, no appearance from “The Ugliest.”)
Hear the music of The Notorious B.I.G. and J Dilla collide in D.Social’s Notorious Dilla project below. Explore the rest of his catalog on Soundcloud.
Me and @audiodose made this mashup project for fun, and also to honor 2 legends in hip-hop. Check it out!
— Social (@ddotsocial) April 2, 2021