31 Rising
A J- Dilla inspired beat tape, created during my final months living in Japan.
Release Date: 14 NOV 2025
Artist: Julian Ransom
Single 1: Out 24 OCT 2025
Track 16
“And Nevada”
And Nevada is a traditional Dilla inspired song. Taking Chops from Melba Moore, George Duke and Detroit Emeralds, this track completely encompasses the true Dilla. This was one of the first songs that started my journey into a concept album dedicated to J Dilla. The track is named after the street crossing that Dilla grew up on, paying homage to his start and legacy.
Single 2: Out 31 OCT 2025
Track 18
“The Slum”
The Slum, named in tribute to Slum Village, is a chop-heavy instrumental built around the rhythmic, percussive spirit of J Dilla’s production style. Influenced by the way Dilla played his MPC 3000 like a live drum kit, the track’s closing section drifts into a freestyle-like groove, a nod to both his instinctive production and his rapping.
Single 3: Out 7 NOV 2025
Track 7
“Structure Overwhelms Spirit”
Structure Overwhelms Spirit is more of a concept piece. I wanted to imagine what it would be like if Dilla and The Alchemist ever worked together, if their two approaches collided in one session. The song balances that tension: the looseness of Dilla’s swing against the layered precision The Alchemist is known for. It’s meant to sound like order and chaos playing side by side.
Pre – Save the album before release or download the official album Sample Pack full of 80 high quality Dilla inspired drums, FX and more.
31 Rising marks my first attempt at creating both a concept album and a full beat tape, a project deeply inspired by the timeless influence of J- Dilla.
Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started at six years old with a toy piano, and over time, that curiosity grew into a passion for guitar, drums, bass, and eventually, audio engineering and production. Through every stage of that journey, J Dilla has remained one of my greatest creative touchstones.
His approach to rhythm, swing, and imperfection, drawn from jazz, soul, and experimentation, continues to shape how I hear and create music. 31 Rising is my way of contributing to the ongoing legacy Dilla left behind: a body of work that celebrates innovation, emotion, and the human feel at the heart of hip-hop.
To contact please use the form below or email ARedLightStudio@Gmail.com