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'{{Infobox album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums --> | Name = Yancey Boys | Type = Studio | Artist = [[Illa J]] | Cover = "Yancey Boys" album cover art, Illa J, 2008.jpg | Released = {{Start date|2008|11|04}} | Recorded = 1995–98 <small>(Beats, production)</small><br />2008 <small>(Vocals, mix)</small> at Yancey Boys Studio ([[Los Angeles, California]]) | Genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]], [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[Soul music|soul]] | Length = | Label = [[Delicious Vinyl]] | Producer = Michael "Mike Floss" Ross <small>([[Executive producer|exec.]])</small>, Stacey Kim <small>(co-exec.)</small>, [[J Dilla|Jay Dee]] | Last album = | This album = '''''Yancey Boys'''''<br>(2008) | Next album = ''[[4 Past Midnite]]''<br>(2010) | Misc = {{Singles | Name = Yancey Boys | Type = studio | Single 1 = We Here | Single 1 date = August 26, 2008<ref>{{cite web|title=iTunes - Music - "We Here" by Illa J|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/we-here/id286925133|publisher=iTunes|accessdate=7 Nov 2013|date=26 Aug 2008}}</ref> | Single 2 = Sounds Like Love | Single 2 date = May 26, 2009<ref>{{cite web|title=iTunes - Music - "Sounds Like Love" - EP by Illa J & Debi Nova|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/sounds-like-love-ep/id316341446|publisher=iTunes|accessdate=7 Nov 2013|date=26 May 2009}}</ref> }} }} '''''Yancey Boys''''' is the debut [[studio album]] by Detroit-based rapper/singer [[Illa J]], featuring production from his late brother Jay Dee, also known as [[J Dilla]]. The album was released on November 4, 2008 under [[Delicious Vinyl]].<ref name="iTunes">{{cite web|title=iTunes - Music - Yancey Boys by Illa J.htm|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/yancey-boys/id293350507|publisher=iTunes|accessdate=7 Nov 2013|date=4 Nov 2008}}</ref> The beats were created from 1995 to 1998 during Jay Dee's tenure with Delicious Vinyl.<ref name="Stones">{{cite web|title=J Dilla {{!}} Yancey Boys Instrumentals {{!}} Stones Throw Records|url=http://www.stonesthrow.com/store/album/jdilla/yancey-boys-instrumentals|publisher=Stones Throw|accessdate=8 Nov 2013}}</ref> The album's release was supported by two singles – "We Here" and "Sounds Like Love" featuring [[Debi Nova]]. Recording sessions for the album took place at Yancey Boys Studio in Los Angeles in 2008.<ref name="HHDX1">{{cite web|last=Paine|first=Jake|title=Illa J To Release Album Produced By Brother J Dilla|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7324/title.illa-j-to-release-album-produced-by-brother-j-dilla|publisher=HipHop DX|accessdate=11 Nov 2013}}</ref> [[Stones Throw Records]] released a digital instrumental version of the album in 2009.<ref name="Stones"/> ==Background== The album's title is a tribute to the family name, and also because the album overall was produced by instrumentals composed by the older brother, while the vocals where provided by the younger brother. In the wake of Dilla's death, the unused tracks were given to [[Illa J]] by [[Delicious Vinyl]]'s founder, Michael "Mike Floss" Ross.<ref name="iTunes"/> "From '95 through '98 Jay Dee was my go-to guy for hot beats and remixes. He was always making beats, always. So there was a select amount of tracks that he composed for me during that time, only they never got used. When I finally met Illa J [in 2007], I gave him a CD containing those unreleased beats," said Michael Ross.<ref name="HHDX1"/> ==Critical reception== {{Album ratings | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="AM">{{cite web|last=Jeffries|first=David|title=Yancey Boys - Illa J {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards {{!}} AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/yancey-boys-mw0000803367|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=8 Nov 2013}}</ref> | rev2 = [[HipHopDX]] | rev2Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=HHDX>{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Adam|title=Illa J - Yancey Boys {{!}} Read Hip Hop Reviews, Rap Reviews & Hip Hop Album Reviews|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.1044/title.illa-j-yancey-boys|publisher=[[HipHopDX]]|accessdate=8 Nov 2013|date=4 Nov 2008}}</ref> | rev3 = KevinNottingham.com | rev3Score = (75/100)<ref name=Kevin>{{cite web|title=Illa J: Yancey Boys {{!}} The Underground Hip Hop Authority {{!}} Hip Hop Music, Videos & Reviews {{!}} KevinNottingham.com|url=http://www.kevinnottingham.com/2008/12/04/illa-j-yancey-boys/|publisher=KevinNottingham.com|accessdate=8 Nov 2013|author=eA|date=4 Dec 2008}}</ref> | rev4 = [[Pitchfork Media]] | rev4Score = (6.3/10)<ref name=Pitchfork>{{cite web|last=Breihan|first=Tom|title=Illa J: Yancey Boys {{!}} Album Reviews {{!}} Pitchfork|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12438-yancey-boys/|publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]]|accessdate=8 Nov 2013|date=18 Nov 2008}}</ref> | rev5 = [[PopMatters]] | rev5Score = {{Rating|7|10}}<ref name="PM">{{cite web|last=Heaton|first=Dave|title=Illa J: Yancey Boys {{!}} PopMatters|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/70035-illa-j-yancey-boys/|publisher=[[PopMatters]]|accessdate=8 Nov 2013|date=18 Feb 2009}}</ref> | rev6 = Sonink Music | rev6Score = {{Rating|3.583|5}}<ref name="Sonink">{{cite web|title=Sonink Music {{!}} Review of Yancey Boys by Illa J|url=https://www.sonink.com/reviews/376/index.html|publisher=Sonink Music|accessdate=8 Nove 2013|date=29 Oct 2009}}</ref> | rev7 = [[SXSW|SXSW Music]] | rev7Score = {{rating|2.5|5}}<ref name=SXSW>{{cite web|last=Fawcett|first=Thomas|title=SXSW Music - Review Illa J - Music - The Austin Chronicle|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2010-03-19/981760/|publisher=AustinChronicle.com|accessdate=8 Nov 2013|date=19 Mar 2010}}</ref> | rev8 = ''[[XLR8R]]'' | rev8Score = (7/10)<ref name="xlr8r">{{cite web|last=Arnold|first=Eric K.|title=Yancey Boys {{!}} XLR8R|url=http://www.xlr8r.com/reviews/illa-j/yancey-boys|publisher=[[XLR8R]]|accessdate=8 Nov 2013|date=11 Nov 2008}}</ref> | noprose = yes }} Upon its release, ''Yancey Boys'' was met with generally favorable reviews from [[Music criticism|music critics]]. [[AllMusic]]'s David Jeffries gave the album three out of five stars, saying: "To his credit, his heavy workload includes putting the finishing touches on these lost tracks and figuring out how to pay tribute to his older brother while pimping his own potential. His solution is so understated and mellow that ''Yancey Boys'' ends up an interesting release for the [[J Dilla|Dilla]] faithful instead of [[Illa J]]'s grand entrance."<ref name="AM"/> Adam Thomas of [[HipHopDX]] also gave the album a three out of five, saying: "''Yancey Boys'' is no classic. However, it's an enjoyable ride that is filled with some great J Dilla production. Illa isn't the most talented, but he does show glimpses of potential in and around the album, which was truly been billed more around his brother than him from the start. The only problem is that in the future, he won't have his older brother to have his back in times of musical trouble. Even so, it's an earnest and sincere attempt from Illa to pay respect to his brother through one of the things that connected them, and in these times, that should mean enough."<ref name=HHDX/> [[Pitchfork Media]] reviewer Tom Breihan gave the album 6.3 out of ten, saying: "Thanks to his brother's beyond-the-grave contributions, he himself is the most disposable part of his own debut album. Luckily for him, it probably won't be too hard to find another hour's worth of unused Dilla tracks when it comes time to record the follow-up."<ref name=Pitchfork/> Dave Heaton of [[PopMatters]] gave the album a seven out of ten, saying: "Dilla's music has that elemental quality, like it's air or water, a manifestation of nature. That's true whether it's an instrumental project like ''[[Donuts (album)|Donuts]]'' or a supporting track for a rapper. Illa J seems to understand that about Dilla's music. He keeps ''Yancey Boys'' in that same natural/mystical space, carrying on his brother's spirit while making a strong, if not explosive, mark as his own artist."<ref name="PM"/> ''[[XLR8R]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Eric K. Arnold gave the album a seven out of ten, saying: "''Yancey Boys'' isn't overly inundated with features, making it a true family affair as well as a delight for head-nodders."<ref name="xlr8r"/> KevinNottingham.com gave the album a 75 out of 100, saying: "Whether it was on purpose or not, Illa J's presence takes the backseat on this album, and Dilla's legacy of work shines through. The periodic off-beat bars and the mediocre rhymes proves that Illa J is far from a polished lyricist, however, Illa understands how to compliment Dilla's work in such a way that it highlights every beat, break and soulfulness within the production. Whether Yancey Boys purpose is to engage the listener to the sounds of [[Neo soul|neo-soul]] or to highlight J Dilla's endless talent, this release is an effortless listen, and ultimately an album worth giving a chance."<ref name=Kevin/> ==Track listing== ''All tracks were produced by Jay Dee (aka [[J Dilla]]) except "Mr. Shakes" which is a skit performed by [[Affion Crockett]].'' {{tracklist | headline = | total_length = | writing_credits = yes | title1 = Timeless | note1 = | writer1 = [[John Yancey]], [[J Dilla|James Yancey]] | length1 = 3:14 | title2 = We Here | note2 = | writer2 = John Yancey, James Yancey | length2 = 4:10 | title3 = R U Listening? | note3 = featuring [[Guilty Simpson]] | writer3 = John Yancey, James Yancey, Byron Simpson | length3 = 4:18 | title4 = Alien Family | note4 = by [[Frank Nitt]] | writer4 = James Yancey, Frank Bush | length4 = 2:17 | title5 = Strugglin' | note5 = | writer5 = John Yancey, James Yancey | length5 = 3:23 | title6 = Showtime | note6 = | writer6 = John Yancey, James Yancey | length6 = 3:45 | title7 = Swagger | note7 = | writer7 = John Yancey, James Yancey | length7 = 3:33 | title8 = Mr. Shakes | note8 = aka [[Affion Crockett]] | writer8 = Affion Crockett | length8 = 0:44 | title9 = DFTF | note9 = featuring Affion Crockett | writer9 = John Yancey, James Yancey, A. Crockett | length9 = 4:25 | title10 = All Good | note10 = | writer10 = John Yancey, James Yancey | length10 = 3:05 | title11 = Sounds Like Love | note11 = featuring [[Debi Nova]] | writer11 = John Yancey, James Yancey, Deborah Kader | length11 = 3:25 | title12 = Everytime | note12 = | writer12 = John Yancey, James Yancey | length12 = 4:32 | title13 = Illasoul | note13 = | writer13 = John Yancey, James Yancey | length13 = 3:47 | title14 = Air Signs | note14 = | writer14 = John Yancey, James Yancey | length14 = 3:25 }} ==Personnel== Credits for ''Yancey Boys'' adapted from [[Allmusic]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Yancey Boys - Illa J {{!}} Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/yancey-boys-mw0000803367/credits|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=8 Nov 2013}}</ref> and from the album liner notes.<ref name=linernotes>{{cite album-notes|bandname=Illa J |title=Yancey Boys |year=2008 |publisher=Delicious Vinyl |publisherid=}}</ref> {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ;Musical personnel *[[Illa J|John "Illa J" Yancey]] — primary artist, [[composer]] *[[Frank n Dank|Frank "Frank Nitt" Bush]] — [[guest appearance]] *[[Beat Junkies|Jason "J. Rocc" Jackson]] — [[scratching]] <small>(tracks 3 and 9)</small> *[[Debi Nova|Deborah "Debi Nova" Kader]] — composer, guest appearance *Paul Powell — [[Bass guitar|bass]] <small>(track 11)</small> *Geoff Schroer — [[Audio engineer|engineer]], [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]] *[[Guilty Simpson|Byron "Guilty Simpson" Simpson]] — guest appearance *[[J Dilla|James "Jay Dee" Yancey]] — composer, [[Record producer|producer]] {{col-break}} ;Additional personnel *Pete Ambrose — [[Photography|photography]] *B.I.G.Dan — [[Album cover|artwork]] [additional [[Layout artist|layout]]] *Alfred Hawkins — artwork [Illa J [[logo design]]] *Stacey Kim — co-executive producer, [[management]] *Dina Juntila — artwork <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[art direction]] & [[graphic design]]<nowiki>]</nowiki> *Ari Raskin — [[Audio mastering|mastering]] *Michael "Mike Floss" Ross — [[executive producer]], mixing {{col-end}} ==References== {{reflist|2}} {{Illa J}} [[Category:2008 debut albums]] [[Category:Hip hop albums by American artists]] [[Category:Delicious Vinyl albums]] [[Category:Midwest hip hop albums]] [[Category:Illa J albums]] [[Category:Albums produced by J Dilla]]'