As an independent artist, he has released three albums, 2008’s solo album Yancey Boys, 2013’s Evolution (as Slum Village along with rapper T3 and Producer Young RJ) and 2013’s Sunset Blvd. (as Yancey Boys along with Frank Nitt and Illa J’s big brother, James Dewitt Yancey (1974-2006) aka J Dilla, on the production).
Illa J also has two EP’s, 2007 ’s Illa J, 2010’s 4 Past Midnite and two mixtapes 2012’s Dirty Slums and 2013’s Dirty Slums 2 (both as Slum Village). He magically has released all this work without being signed. He has done interviews and specials for Sway in the Morning with Sway Calloway, Mass Appeal Magazine, HipHopDX, URB Magazine, XXL magazine, etc. He also performs every year at Dilla Day Detroit held at The Fillmore in Detroit which is a tribute event to celebrate the life of his big brother J Dilla. The 2013 event was headlined by Royce da 5'9" and Talib Kweli.
Since 2007, Illa J has toured in Japan, Europe and has had shows in Chile and Canada. As Slum Village, Illa J has also toured many times in Europe, the USA, Canada and have had shows in Greece, Chile and Brazil. However, 2013 has been the busiest year for Illa J in the studio and on the road.
With almost 100 booked shows with Slum Village for 2012-2013 he has recorded and released Sunset Blvd and Evolution. He also took part in the Welcome to DillaVille - A tribute to J Dilla Tour along with SlimKid3 from The Pharcyde, Guilty Simpson, Frank-N-Dank and Slum Village. Illa J has been in a relationship for little less than two years with his Venezuelan but Montreal based girlfriend Maya. Montreal is where they spend most of their free time.
Illa J wrote and recorded his first rap at the age of 13 with his big brother J Dilla at Studio A in Detroit, Michigan. Later on, in his teenage years, he wanted to undertake a basketball career but music had always been part of his life. He joined the church choir at the age of six and he grew up seeing his entire family involved in music. His mother, Maureen Yancey, studied opera singing and was in the church choir, and his father, Beverly Dewitt Yancey (1932-2012), was offered a deal by Motown Music that he turned down but kept on doing music independently, Mr. and Ms. Yancey also had their own acapella group.
His big brother James Dewitt Yancey better known as "J DIlla" was a record producer who was a great influence to the hip-hop scene by working with groups such as; A Tribe Called Quest, The Pharcyde, De La Soul, and artists such as; Busta Rhymes, Common, Erykah Badu, and MF DOOM.
IllaSoul
Illa J Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm so thankful for you
We always have a good time no matter what we do
Two nights in Vegas, then hit Hawaii, nice vacation for two
Every time I wake up, I look at you and say 'I'm so thankful for you'
Check it, uh, yeah
Remember when you asked me to smoke, asked me to toke?
I can't reject something so perfect-ly imperfect
You happy to hang with a nigga that show you respect
I'm excited to chill with a lady who understands this music game
You always keep a joint rolled, let's blaze the flame
Always shopping, let's go to nightlife, I heard it's poppin'
Actually, we gotta buy shoes just for the Lakers game
We got the munchies and we ain't ashamed
Cinnamon pretzels, wilin' out on my assistant like threat souls
We having a sensational time
And I know that our relationship will grow in time, uh
Friends like you don't come too often
I'm so thankful for you
We always have a good time no matter what we do
Two nights in Vegas, then hit Hawaii, nice vacation for two
Every time I wake up, I look at you and say 'I'm so thankful for you'
Uh, yeah
Remember riding to the ocean
After hittin' the weed it seems slow motion
I make a couple beats just to bump in your ride and to impress
'Cause I wanted to put my hands on them breasts
Check your temperature, here's the thermometer
Damn girl, you're so hot, you got that jungle fever
And wait 'til you see this hung ass Libra
You may be a cougar but you look like a young ass cheetah
Girl, you're so fast, but now you outta breath
I got yo' ass, I got a fast first step
Like Monta Ellis, with the rock
You can't catch me, but you got me
Uh, I'm so glad that we got we (each other)
And also I'm so glad that we got weed
Such stoners got a plant in the corner
Like Little Shop of Horrors saying 'feed me'
Friends like you don't come too often
I'm so thankful for you
We always have a good time no matter what we do
Two nights in Vegas, then hit Hawaii, nice vacation for two
Every time I wake up, I look at you and say 'I'm so thankful for you'
Girl, I just wanna thank you, for everything that you do
'Cause I appreciate you, for real, I appreciate you
Just wanna thank you, uh, for everything that you do
Like I said, I appreciate you
Yo James, now let the music ride
In Illa J's song IllaSoul, the lyrics reflect the artist's gratitude for a rare and special friendship. Illa J expresses deep appreciation for his friend, who is always there for him and makes every moment they share special. The artist reflects on some of their experiences together, including trips to Vegas and Hawaii, where they had a great time despite not having extraordinary plans. They share a love of music, and the friend always has a joint rolled up for them to smoke while they hang out.
The lyrics also capture the artist's admiration for his friend's beauty and charm. He celebrates her confidence and the fact that she understands the music industry, something he values deeply. He expresses attraction to her and seems to enjoy the playful banter they share. In the end, despite any romantic undertones, the song is really about the power of friendship and the magic that can happen when two people just click.
Line by Line Meaning
Friends like you don't come too often
I am grateful to have a friend like you
I'm so thankful for you
I appreciate everything you do for me
We always have a good time no matter what we do
We can make any situation fun together
Two nights in Vegas, then hit Hawaii, nice vacation for two
Traveling with you is always an amazing experience
Every time I wake up, I look at you and say 'I'm so thankful for you'
I am constantly reminded of my appreciation for you
Remember when you asked me to smoke, asked me to toke?
I recall the first time we smoked together
Said you had the best shit and I would surely get blowed
You introduced me to some amazing weed
I can't reject something so perfect-ly imperfect
Despite its imperfections, I couldn't resist trying it
You happy to hang with a nigga that show you respect
I'm grateful that you enjoy spending time with someone who treats you well
I'm excited to chill with a lady who understands this music game
I enjoy being with someone who shares my passion for music
You always keep a joint rolled, let's blaze the flame
I appreciate that you always have weed ready to smoke
Always shopping, let's go to nightlife, I heard it's poppin'
Let's go out and have some fun
Actually, we gotta buy shoes just for the Lakers game
We need to buy appropriate shoes for the game we are attending
We got the munchies and we ain't ashamed
We are not embarrassed by our hunger
Cinnamon pretzels, wilin' out on my assistant like threat souls
We are having fun and enjoying some delicious snacks
We having a sensational time
We are having an amazing time
And I know that our relationship will grow in time, uh
I believe our friendship will continue to deepen over time
Remember riding to the ocean
I recall the time we went to the beach
After hittin' the weed it seems slow motion
Things seemed to move in slow motion after we smoked
I make a couple beats just to bump in your ride and to impress
I created some music for you to listen to and enjoy
'Cause I wanted to put my hands on them breasts
I was attracted to you and wanted to touch you
Check your temperature, here's the thermometer
You are so attractive, you could raise the temperature in the room
Damn girl, you're so hot, you got that jungle fever
You are incredibly attractive and exotic
And wait 'til you see this hung ass Libra
You will be even more impressed when you see my physical attributes
You may be a cougar but you look like a young ass cheetah
You are older than me, but you still look amazing
Girl, you're so fast, but now you outta breath
You are quick-witted and intelligent, but now you are struggling to keep up
I got yo' ass, I got a fast first step
I am confident and able to handle any situation
Like Monta Ellis, with the rock
I am skilled and talented, like a professional basketball player
You can't catch me, but you got me
I am elusive, but you have won my heart
Uh, I'm so glad that we got we (each other)
I am grateful for our friendship
And also I'm so glad that we got weed
I am grateful that we both enjoy smoking weed
Such stoners got a plant in the corner
We are enthusiastic about smoking weed and even have a plant growing
Like Little Shop of Horrors saying 'feed me'
We are always looking for more weed to smoke
Girl, I just wanna thank you, for everything that you do
I want to express my gratitude for all that you do for me
'Cause I appreciate you, for real, I appreciate you
I truly value and appreciate your presence in my life
Just wanna thank you, uh, for everything that you do
Once again, I want to show my appreciation for you
Yo James, now let the music ride
Let's enjoy the music together
Writer(s): Yancey James Dewitt, Yancey John Derek
Contributed by Matthew O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.