J Dilla Tribute with The Dirty B-Sides

The Dirty B-Sides have been a go-to live showcasing band for local independent, major label, Grammy-winning, and international artists visiting Toronto since 2015, building a reputation for running cutthroat hip-hop cyphers till 4am in Kensington Market. They were also part-owners of live hip-hop and R&B music venue and restaurant, Friday Roots, a Black and POC-owned and operated space lost to the pandemic.

The Dirty B-Sides are hosting a throwback indoor block party at a new venue space dedicated to Black and POC arts workers, It’s Ok*, located at 428 Queen Street (formerly SVP Sports). Sunday Feb 26th from 6-10pm will be a tribute night to the late great J Dilla, a legendary producer from Detroit with a vision that has inspired generations of musicians and hip-hop culture overall.

Along with cyphers over Dilla beats performed live with the 7-piece band, familiar artists to the B-Sides family will be showcasing spotlights. Some of the spotlights include:

• Matt Somber (alternative rap, hot off his Out The Box feature at The Drake Underground)

• Jusso (neo-soul and of Toronto hip-hop royalty)

• Kelson Fredericks (winner of 2019 TD Toronto Jazz Festival Rising Star Grand Prize with The Dirty B-Sides)

• Sydanie (2019 Polaris longlist artist)

• and returning from Africa, hip-hop artist and producer Spek Won

Advanced discount tickets on sale now: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/j-dilla-tribute-with-the-dirty-b-sides-tickets-527414680507

For more information, @wethebsides on Instagram.