Illa J

Singer/producer/songwriter/rapper John “IllaJ” Yancey was introduced to the rich, soulful Detroit musicscene more than twenty years ago at the young age of 13. His mother is a former opera singer, hisfather was a songwriter/pianist/bassist/vocalist, and his brother was a well-respected record producerand rapper, so it was no surprise when Yancey wrote his first rhyme and began teaching himself piano,bass, and taking vocal lessons. Around the age of 20, he shifted his focus from pursuing a basketballcareer to making a name for himself in the music industry. Yancey relocated to Los Angeles to start hissolo career, starting with the release of the Illa J EP, a fully self-produced and self-arranged project.