SOLD OUT Biboye Onanuga Blacktet: J Dilla Tribute (Fantastic, Vol.2)

A master of rhythm, feel, and emotional nuance, Dilla reshaped the language of hip-hop, jazz, and soul — leaving behind a body of work that continues to influence generations of artists across genres.

This February, Biboye Onanuga Blacktet returns to the Yardbird Suite for the third consecutive year, presenting the project’s second annual J Dilla Tribute, timed with the anniversary of Dilla’s birthday. Following last year’s sold-out performance, the Blacktet takes a deeper, more focused approach — devoting the entire evening to Dilla’s landmark album Fantastic, Vol. 2.

Originally released under Slum Village, Fantastic, Vol. 2 captures Dilla at a pivotal moment: balancing raw beat-maker sensibility with a deep jazz consciousness, soulful harmony, and an unmistakable sense of flow. Rather than presenting the music as a fixed repertoire, the Blacktet reimagines the album as a continuous live experience — arranging, expanding, and reshaping its material through improvisation and collective groove.

Throughout the night, the band blurs the line between DJ and live ensemble, flowing seamlessly from track to track much like the record itself. Short tracks stretch into open improvisations, grooves dissolve and reassemble, and familiar moments reappear in unexpected forms — allowing the music to breathe, evolve, and respond in real time.

More than a tribute, this concert is an immersion: a deep listen, a re-contextualization, and a celebration of J Dilla’s enduring influence.