J Dilla Street unveiled in Detroit in honour of hip-hop producer’s birthday

A street in Detroit has been named after J Dilla.

The unveiling of the street sign took place on what would have been the beloved hip-hop producer’s 51st birthday, today (7th February).

As the Detroit News reports, Dilla was one of five people chosen by Detroit City Council to be honoured with a secondary street sign. Dilla mentor Joseph Anthony “Amp” Fiddler, who gave the producer his first drum machine, also made it on the list.

City council president Mary Sheffield said: “Everyone here that was recommended is notable, is honorable, has done great things for our city, and we appreciate that this is very difficult for us to only select five,” as Billboard reported.

The Dilla sign is located on the corner of Nevada and Charest, not far from the former family home and basement in which Dilla recorded music.

In 2023, a documentary on J Dilla’s life was released to streaming services, as part of an FX series called The New York Times Presents.

Revisit Marke Bieschke’s interview with author Dan Charnas about his book, D is for Dilla, exploring the life and legacy of a hip-hop phenomenon here. 

Read our new feature on how J Dilla’s legendary 2006 album ‘Donuts’ set a new benchmark for instrumental hip-hop.