On February 27, 2025, Richmond’s hip-hop community converged at RVA Boombox to honor the legendary J Dilla during Dilla Day VA. The event, which was also joined by Ma Dukes, Dilla’s mother, transformed the venue into a sanctuary for beat enthusiasts, including a beat battle judged by heavyweights Bink and Nottz with sets by ProducerPlugUni and Big Boo. More than anything, the celebration continued to underscore Dilla’s enduring legacy, uniting local talent and fans in a shared appreciation of his groundbreaking contributions to hip-hop.
For those unfamiliar with J Dilla, he was more than just a producer—a visionary who reshaped hip-hop with signature swing, unconventional drum programming, and deep, soulful sample work. Coming up in the mid-90s, he cofounded Slum Village and worked with legends like A Tribe Called Quest, Common, Erykah Badu, The Roots, and Pharcyde, creating beats the blurred the line between jazz, soul, and raw boom-bap. His 2006 masterpiece, Donuts was release just days before he passed away at 32. Almost 20 years later, his influence is still remains, proving that Dilla wasn’t just ahead of his time; he is time, endlessly looping forward.
Photographer and filmmaker Metta Bastet was on the scene capturing the live performances, DJ sets, and a stacked beat battle.
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