Busta Rhymes Resurrects Lost J Dilla and D’Angelo Magic on Dillagence II
Hip-hop veteran Busta Rhymes is officially releasing Dillagence II on August 25, 2026, anchoring the 19-track project with nearly 300 unissued beats gifted to him by the late, legendary producer J Dilla before his passing in 2006. Among the archival treasures is a pristine, long-lost collaboration between Dilla and D’Angelo, capturing a studio session recorded approximately twenty years ago that never previously materialized into a proper commercial release.
Inside the Genesis of “This Woman” and the Lost D’Angelo Session
Busta Rhymes explained to The New York Times that the piece deserved to see the light of day for the culture and for the legacy of both artists.
The song features a gentle chorus driven by what appears to be a scratch vocal of D’Angelo interpolating Sister Nancy’s classic dancehall track “Bam Bam.” In his immaculate falsetto, D’Angelo croons, “This woman, never troubled no one / But if you trouble this woman, it will be a…” before trailing off into the song’s iconic wordless hook. Textured with prickly guitars and burbling marimbas, the instrumental showcases J Dilla’s percussion style.
Busta Rhymes reflected on D’Angelo’s artistic impact in an accompanying interview with Okayplayer, stating, “I feel like the Earth shifted when D came to do music.” Busta noted that D’Angelo represented a complete balance of ancestral musical traditions fused into an entirely distinct personal style. To complement the single, an official music video directed by Hype Williams is slated to premiere at 12 p.m. ET.
A Star-Studded Tracklist Rooted in Archival Brilliance
The rollout for Dillagence II began gathering momentum earlier in the year during an exclusive preview event in New York City. Attendees caught early glimpses of the expansive tracklist, which features guest appearances across its 19 songs.
Social media teasers ahead of the launch featured J Dilla’s mother, Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey, listening to preview tracks from the record, cementing the family’s blessing over the project. Busta Rhymes has frequently championed Dilla’s status, noting in past remarks that Dilla left him with an immense catalog of over 300 beats to protect and honor.
As Dillagence II lands on streaming platforms, it bridges a vital gap between hip-hop royalty and modern ears. By unearthing these forgotten sessions, Busta Rhymes ensures that the visionary craftsmanship of J Dilla and D’Angelo continues to shape the contemporary sonic landscape.
