Every year in February, we celebrate Dilla Month, a tribute to the legendary and influential hip-hop producer J Dilla. The choice for February is no coincidence: it is the month in 1974 when he was born, but also the month in which the soulful alchemist died of a heart attack in 2006, at only 32 years of age.

Błoto

In 2025, it was the turn of Polish band Omasta to honour the hip-hop legend: they blew everyone away in an almost sold-out AB Club. In 2026, we pass the torch on to city-mates Błoto, who impressed earlier this year during BRDCST with their mix of post-jazz and ‘90s hip-hop beats.

They have already paid tribute to great J Dilla in their hometown of Krakau, not coincidentally at record store Paul’s Boutique, a nod to the iconic Beastie Boys album from 1989.

Anything else to add, Błoto? “‘We remember J Dilla’ is a project that we’ve played in February for a few years now. February is ‘Dilla Month’, a period of intense reminiscence of one of the most important chapters of our generation's music. Since 2006, the hip-hop community has experienced this period in a similar way: by collectively celebrating the innovator's work. This time, we will perform in a few cities, reinterpreting the master's beats in a quartet. We know a few people in our immediate environment who have not been exposed to James Yancey's music. So many periods, so many styles, so many timeless tracks. J Dilla = hip-hop.”

Those wanting to delve deeper into J Dilla’s oeuvre: read more about Dilla Month, check out this fine guide by Dazed Digital or take a deeper dive through Discogs.