On Friday (February 10), hip-hop tragically lost another one of its greatest talents with the passing of J Dilla, a highly respected producer known for injecting soul into his music and for crafting some of hip-hop's greatest songs.

Also known as Jay Dee (born James Dewitt Yancey), the Detroit native passed away after a battle with Lupus.

Besides creating signature soundscapes for artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes, Common, and his own group SlumVillage, among others, Dilla was also a rapper. He has amassed legions of dedicated fans including platinum-selling beatmakers The Neptunes' Pharrell Williams and Kanye West, with whom he worked with on Common's grammy-nominated album Be.

"Some days I felt like I wasn't even in the same league with the guy," 9th Wonder, Little Brother's producer who has also worked with Jay-Z and Destiny's Child, told SOHH. "His work ethic, persistence and genius work says it all. I felt like he, along with Pete Rock and DJ Premier, was looking over my shoulder every record I listened to, and every beat I made... Funny thing is, although we were and will always be connected somehow, I never even had the pleasure to meet or talk to him."

Ghostface Killah, who recently worked with Dilla on his upcoming album, Fishscale, was also touched by his passing. "I respect his work period... Another good brother is lost in hip-hop."

Last night (February 14), Conscious, founder of freehiphopnow.com held a tribute to J Dilla in NYC. Fans showed up at all hours of Valentine's night to pay tribute to the man while rotating DJs showcased his work.

"Plainly put, most people would consider the man a beatmaker, but nah he was a little bit more than that, actually he was a musician," Conscious told SOHH. "I think he made music until it killed him."

DJ Polarity, a fan who was also at the event added, "There was actual heart involved in what Dilla did, whether it was Slum Village, De La [Soul], or whoever you know throughout the years he always had something that was a cut above the rest. It was real tragic that he passed away nonetheless he's gonna live on through his music... I'm gonna keep remembering him for what he did for the craft, and also what he did for the people, giving them a new sound. Dilla will be remembered by millions."

Judging from last night's event and the other tributes thrown throughout the world, Detroit soulchild J Dilla is destined to live on. Conscious says he even plans on throwing an annual tribute on Dilla's birth date (February 7).

"He gave me a real, real nice one," Ghost said. Word... That sums it up best.

James Dewitt Yancey (1974-2006) R.I.P


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Kanye West recorded a track with Coldplay front man Chris Martin earlier this week.

The two recorded the cut at London's Abbey Road Studios. 'Ye was on location recording the theme song to Mission Impossible 3 while Martin and his band, natives of London, were on hand to perform for Radio 2.

Word is the two critically-acclaimed artists set up a jam session after West went to watch the band's show. The pair produced a song that may end up on Ye's third album, Graduation.

"Kanye didn't mind being interrupted and after Coldplay's show, Chris joined him in the recording booth for a jamming session," an industry insider told Virgin's Newswire. "They did a track together which sounded amazing. Fingers crossed it will see the light of day."

West and Coldplay are both slated to perform at the Brit Awards at Earl's Court tonight.

This doesn't mark Kanye's first rock collaboration. The Chicagoan remixed Maroon 5's "This Love" back in 2004 and Adam Levine, the band's front man, appears on Late Registration's "Heard Em Say." West has also teamed up with John Mayer for Common's "Go" and "Bittersweet," a song set to appear on Graduation.
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Mos Def spent his Valentine's Day yesterday at a court hearing over child support payments for his two daughters.

According to the New York Post, when Mos (born Dante Smith) filed for divorce from his wife Maria Yepes-Smith, he was initially ordered by a judge to pay $10,000 per month in child support for the couple's two daughters, age 7 and 8. The order went into effect on January 1, but so far both of his payments have been short by about $2,000.

"It's the best he can do under the circumstances," Steven Goldfeder, Mos Def's lawyer, said during the hearing at the Brooklyn Supreme Court. "He has several children. He's always provided for them."

Goldfeder told the judge that Mos has three other children, and also argued that his client's payment should be reduced because Yepes-Smith has failed to deliver on her promise to home school the children.

When Judge Sarah Krauss asked Goldfeder why the Def Poetry Jam host had not complied with the order, Mos Def interjected, "I'm the only person who's providing for my children."

"Please tell your client not to talk anymore," Krauss then told Goldfeder, before recommending he file an amended claim to specify grounds for divorce.

While Yepes-Smith declined to comment outside of the hearing, her lawyer Karen Blaustein expressed doubt about his inability to pay up. "I've been seeing him in these commercials with Bruce Willis for his new movie. I'm sure he made enough money to pay his child support for his 7-and 8-year-old daughters."

The Brooklyn native is starring alongside Willis as a key witness in a corruption case in the action film 16 Blocks. The movie is scheduled for release next month.

In related news, Mos will also be featured alongside Kanye West, The Roots and Talib Kweli, among others, in Dave Chappelle's Block Party
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Jay-Z has launched a contest with New York radio station Hot 97, the New Jersey Nets, and Sprite that will encourage aspiring artists to write and record a theme song for the NBA team.

The winner of the contest, to be chosen by President Carter, who's part owner of the Nets, will have the chance to meet Jay, perform the winning song live at a Nets' home game and record the song at Manhattan recording studio Baseline Studios II. Once recorded, the song will be played at Nets' home games and on Hot 97.

"The Nets are a hot team and we're looking for a song to match the intensity of the players and the game experience," Jay-Z said via a statement. "It's going to be fun to hear the different ways that fans capture the flavor of Nets basketball through music."

Representatives from Hot 97 and the Nets will choose the three best songs, and then Hov will choose the winner to be announced on Hot 97.

Entries will be accepted until March 5. To enter, artists can get more information at both www.njnets.com and www.hot97.com.

In related news, some have recently questioned Jay-Z's influence on the team.

Nets head coach Lawrence Frank, who has been coach since January 2004, says Jay has helped out with the team whenever needed.

"He helped us this summer with recruiting, just spending time calling guys up, meeting with guys, and lending his time," Frank told andPOP's Adam Gonshor. "He's just been outgoing and a helpful owner. You know he's a busy guy but he still is able to carve out time to help with that."

Nets forward Richard Jefferson spoke to the difference in game attendance since Hov has joined the team, "He's always at the game and he's a staple in New Jersey. People come to games just to see if he's going to be there. He's very positive when it comes to the team and it has a good effect."

Vince Carter, acquired by the Nets last December in a trade with the Toronto Raptors, told the reporter that having an entertainer involved with the team could have some impact on a free agent's decision of who to sign with, pointing out, "[Jay-Z] opens so many doors after basketball."

Indeed, the rapper, born Shawn Carter, has stake in a little bit of everything. He's president and CEO of Def Jam Records, owner of Roc-A-Fella Records, the Rocawear clothing label and the 40/40 sports club chain, and may soon branch into the magazine business as well.

Still, not everyone is a fan of his work in the sports game. Former Nets player Aaron Williams, who was traded to the Raptors last year in the deal for Carter, said, "He had zero impact on the team. He was never there. He has no say. He's just there for publicity."

Williams went on to add, "I don't think he's qualified to be involved. He's a rapper and a businessman. I don't think he knows anything about the business of basketball."

Since Jay-Z became a part owner, two other high profile artists have entered the NBA's owner's club - Usher with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Nelly with the Charlotte Bobcats.