2015 Cassette Store Day release - In 2003, J Dilla was better known as Jay Dee, a Detroit producer who shunned publicity but was widely respected in hip-hop; Madlib was an up-and-coming L.A. producer making a name for himself with his wild diversity, from rap (Quasimoto) to electronic jazz (Yesterdays New Quintet) to remixes (Shades of Blue, Blue Note-2003).
At the time of Champion Sound's original release in late 2003, J Dilla and Madlib had never been photographed together or appeared as a group in public. In the years that followed, this changed drastically - after Dilla's move to Los Angeles, the two worked together, communicated through hip-hop beat tapes, and toured together as Jaylib. Madlib's profile rose with his MF DOOM-collab Madvillain (soundscan 93k). J Dilla, though dealing with a serious illness, continued crafting material for artists such as Common and Busta Rhymes while working on a wealth of solo material.A1 L.A. To Detroit 1:20 A2 McNasty Filth 2:55 A3 Nowadayz 3:08 A4 Champion Sound 2:23 A5 The Red 3:14 A6 Heavy 3:45 A7 Raw S--t 3:08 A8 The Official 3:31 A9 The Heist 3:05 A10 The Mission 2:24 B1 React 2:45 B2 Strapped 3:13 B3 Strip Club 2:50 B4 The Exclusive 1:24 B5 Survival Test 3:55 B6 Starz 3:03 B7 No Games 1:41 B8 Pillz B9 Raw Addict B10 Ice
