Bristol, UK based producer Vice beats, best known for his 2020 official Jay Dee tribute album – “DIlla: The Timeless Tribute” is set to release his new single, “Snowfall In The Summer,” a Bombay driven, hard-hitting track featuring two of Hip Hop’s most respected voices: Phat Kat (Detroit) and Blu (Los Angeles). The song, which also features cuts from UK-based DJ JabbaThaKut, will be available for pre-order on Wednesday, September 24th, with the official release on vinyl and digital platforms on October 17th.

“Snowfall in the Summer” is a tribute to the raw, unfiltered spirit of Detroit Hip Hop. The track is built on a foundation of low-slung drums, dark sub-bass, and moody scratches, providing the perfect canvas for Phat Kat’s gritty, street-wise lyricism and Blu’s intricate, introspective flow. The cross-continental collaboration seamlessly blends the distinct styles of two iconic lyricists, tied together by Vice beats’ meticulous production and JabbaThaKut’s sharp turntablism.

This release is particularly significant as it marks a continued partnership with Vintage Vibez Music Group, the record label imprint established by Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey to honour the enduring legacy of her son, the late great J Dilla. Following the success of the “That Love” 7″ vinyl in 2023, a track that at that point had amassed over a million streams, “Snowfall In The Summer” continues to raise money and awareness for the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering music education for inner-city youth.

Phat Kat is a revered Detroit rapper and a long-time collaborator of J Dilla, known for his raw and uncompromising style. He was part of the pioneering group 1st Down with J Dilla and is a foundational figure in the city’s Hip Hop scene. Blu is a prolific rapper and producer from Los Angeles, celebrated for his storytelling and complex lyricism, particularly on his critically acclaimed debut album with Exile, Below the Heavens, alongside collaborations with Madlib, Dilla, The Roots and many more.

The single’s artwork was created by acclaimed London-based illustrator Jake Detonator, known for his work with a wide range of artists including Chali 2na, The Prodigy, and Lucasfilm.

The record will be available as a very limited-edition, hand-numbered lathe cut 7″ vinyl in two colourways.

Vice beats on the release: “Working with two legends like Phat Kat and Blu on the same track is a dream come true. The track is our way of paying homage to the Detroit sound that Dilla pioneered, while pushing it forward with a modern, collaborative energy. And to do it all for a cause as important as the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation makes it even more meaningful.”