You Know What Love Is 2018: A Tribute To Jay Dee/J Dilla

Once again, for 2018, Manchester remembers the life and work of one of Hip-Hop's most beloved sons as we celebrate James Dewitt Yancey.

Not much can be said that hasn't been said already about J Dilla, so just know that you'll be in great company as the man's music will be played all night Thursday 22nd February at The Whiskey Jar on Tariff Street, MCR.

 Selectors on the night will be Mikey Don, Didjit, Konny Kon, Andy Peek and Mark Torkington, so expect the welcome Jay Dee bangers alongside his guest features and maybe some of his more obscure remixes.

You know what love is...

Check the Facebook event page here for any updates leading up to the night.

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Return to Manchester

After the roadblock event at Mantra Warehouse in 2016, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth will be returning to Manchester in the more familiar surroundings of The 02 Ritz in the city centre on Saturday the 14th of October, 2017. The duo will be joined with support by fellow 90's breakthrough artist Jeru The Damaja. Warming up before the live acts will be Didjit of More Bounce who is also responsible for this major booking once more.

Full details and ticket links can be found here. A short run of physical tickets are also available from Eastern Bloc and Piccadilly Records. Additional tickets can be purchased on the door.

You Know What Love Is... A Tribute To J Dilla/Jay Dee

A small selection of Jay Dee productions

February. Dilla month. The month that James Dewitt Yancey was born and passed away. It's been ten years since music lost a pioneer, genius and friend. From his early work with his group Slum Village, his high profile hits with Janet Jackson and Q-Tip, through to his own "Donuts" album he created on his death bed, Jay Dee left a legacy that will be remembered.

Manchester will do their bit to remember him on February the 18th in The Whiskey Jar basement. Ten years after the original tribute night took place at Urbis in 2006, a number of DJs from that night will come back together to pay their respects. FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

Andy Peek (C'mon Feet)
Didjit (More Bounce / Skullsnap Records)
Konny Kon (Children Of Zeus / Broke 'n' English)
Mark Torkington (Friends And Family ? Fat City)
Mikey D.O.N (Krispy / Night Of The Living Dread)
with more to be announced...

Let's share this event, get a great turn out to one of the best to do it and show our love.

You know what love is...

Black On Both Sides - A Hip-Hop Time Machine

At the end of August for the bank holiday, a new Hip-Hop night is being launched at The Ruby Lounge in Manchester. "Black On Both Sides". Taking the name from the classic album from Mos Def in the Rawkus years, the night looks to transport us back to the summer of 1999 when the LP was released.

Using this record as a starting point, expect to hear Hip-Hop that was prominent at the turn of the millennium. The 1's and 2's are in the capable hands of DJ Lee Majors (More Bounce), DJ A-UP and Agent J with Bedos (In The Loop) on hosting duties.

Read the flyer above (or below) for details and a closer look at the theme of the night. Links for mixes from DJs on the night can be found here Lee Majors and here In The Loop. Hope to see you all there!

DJ Lee Majors

Bedos, DJ A-Up & Agent J (Photo: Air Adam Photography)

Mr. Thing on Crate Diggers (Video) / In The Loop: The Final Cypher Session

Mr. Thing is one of the best DJs I've witnessed over the years. I've seen him quite a few times and he never fails to bring an amazing party to life. This is most likely down to his wealth of music knowledge and pretty impressive vinyl collection to choose from.

Check out the latest episode of "Crate Diggers" for Fuse TV with Mr. Thing in the video below.

Incidentally, Mr. Thing is the guest DJ at this month's In The Loop on the 20th of June. It's sure to be a special one as it is in fact the last night that Agent J, DJ A-Up and Bedos will be hosting. Be sure to look at the event page and get down if you can. It's a free event so you have no excuse to miss The Final Cypher.

Dom Kennedy in Manchester

West Coast artist Dom Kennedy is the latest artist to be booked by Manchester's More Bounce as he is set to appear at Sound Control on March 30th. Full details on the Facebook page and flyer. Support will come from Krondon of Strong Arm Steady. Don't miss this opportunity to see them live!

Flyer below and a selection of videos.

Pharrell Plays New Album G I R L (Video)

For those of you with an hour and a half to spare, you can watch and listen to Pharrell as he plays his entire new album "G  I  R  L" for Red Bull Studios. He also talks about the album and tells a few stories.

Allen Iverson's Number Retirement Ceremony (Video)

Last night "The Answer" Allen Iverson finally had his jersey number retired and raised to the rafters by the Philadelphia 76ers. He's in good company with the likes of Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, Maurice Cheeks and Moses Malone with their numbers beside him.

Watch a short video from last night's ceremony in Philly.

Trombone Shorty & Friends NBA AllStar Game Half-time Show (Video)

New Orleans was definitely represented for the half-time show of the NBA AllStar Game with the city's very own Trombone Shorty and his band Orleans Avenue setting it of with some Nawlins funk. They were joined on stage by legendary artist Doctor John, as well as Guy Clark Jr., a show stealing Janelle Monae and the timeless Earth, Wind & Fire.

This was one of the better half-time shows in recent memory.

Video below.

Pharrell Williams & Friends Introduce The NBA AllStars 2014 (Video)

Last year was one of the biggest and most successful years in Pharrell Williams' career so far. It was no surprise then, to see him as the musical guest to introduce the Western and Eastern Conference AllStars last night in New Orleans for the 2014 AllStar Game.

Performing a medley of some of his biggest hits over the years, he brought his own all star line up of guests to help him out. Appearances came from Nelly, Puff Daddy, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg and even a brief but welcome guest spot from Neptunes partner Chad Hugo.

Watch the full introduction video with medley below.

Jon B. at Jazz Cafe Plus Q&A Presented by IllWill.co.uk

December sees the return of R'n'B/Soul star Jon B. to our shores, with two live shows at London's Jazz Cafe. He will have a full live band in tow and it's really not one to be missed if you grew up listening to him. I'm even hoping to venture to London for the first time in YEARS!

As an added bonus, on the second of the two dates (19th Dec), there will be a Q&A session before the main show. The interview is the first in a new venture named "The Authentic Series." This will be filmed exclusively for IllWill.co.uk

Please note that a ticket for the second Jon B. show on the 19th of December does not admit access to "The Authentic Series" before it. A separate ticket will be required. Ticket links below.

Jon B. With Full Live Band (18th December) Tickets

"The Authentic Series" #001 Presented by Ill Will (19th December) Tickets

Jon B. With Full Live Band (19th December) Tickets

In The Loop 4th Birthday!

Tonight sees the 4th birthday of Manchester mainstay In The Loop. DJ A-Up and Agent J will be setting up the party nicely on the ones and twos with Bedos on hosting duties as usual. This month's guests are two favourites in this city and will be bringing some classics and party bangers. Guest selectors will be Air Adam and Andy Peek. Get down to this as it's not one to missed!

Check out all the details on the Facebook event page here.

Manchester Marauders Exhibition Launch

We're now only a couple of days away from the opening night special of the Manchester Marauders exhibition brought to you by Air Adam. If you've no idea what I'm talking about, get familiar by reading on.

"Manchester Marauders is an exhibition of my photography celebrating the Manchester Hip-Hop scene and some of the people from it who have influenced me since I came to the city. 

Twenty years after the release of A Tribe Called Quest's "Midnight Marauders," the centrepiece of the show is a re-imagining of that famous album cover - featuring 49 respected Manchester-connected Hip-Hop figures - on display for the very first time.

This opening event will be headlined by a cipher from a number of the "Marauders" themselves - MCs and DJs featured on the piece throwing down live! 

Also on the night, DJ sets from;

Mikey D.O.N (Krispy, Night of the Living Dread)

Lee Majors (More Bounce, Superbad)

DJ A-Up (In The Loop)

Omas & DEEJAY13 (At Large) - special Tribe breaks & samples set!

Prints of the main piece will be available to buy and take away on the night - maybe just a small future piece of local history? ;)

FREE ENTRY - please come down and enjoy the work!"

The evening starts at 6pm with a short film from In The Loop's Agent J and Bedos followed by the unveiling of the "Manchester Marauders" centre piece of the exhibition. Then there will be DJ sets and a cipher from the artists mentioned above.

Here's a small teaser trailer to give a little idea of what the exhibition is about.

Facebook event page

Air Adam Photography Facebook page

Event: In The Loop & STANdbYStudios present Gimme The Loop

If you're out and about in Manchester this Friday night, you should get yourself down to The Roadhouse for In The Loop's monthly party. However, this is a special one. Read below:

"IN THE LOOP as standard but a cypher special to celebrate partnering up with STANdbYStudios!!

plus it's Wes Standby and Agent J's birthday celebrations .PLUS. DJ A-UP's graduation flex!

So we're in a giving mood - - -- £50 cash prize on the cypher - that means THE singer or rapper judged to have entertained the crowd the most. Judged by Loop crew, judges decision is final, there will be no favouritism etc etc. Good times - positive vibes.

£1 ENTRY BEFORE 12 // £3 AFTER // NO GUESTLIST IT'S £1

DJ A-UP / AGENT J SPINNING HIP HOP & SOUL WITH BEDOS ON THE MIC"

Get on down.