Hip Hop Pays Tribute To Amp Fiddler – J Dilla Mentor & Parliament-Funkadelic Member

Detroit singer-songwriter Amp Fiddler has died aged 65-years-old.

The artist was known for his pioneering work in the genres of funk, soul and electronic music – working with the likes of Moodymann, Jamiroquai, Prince, Theo Parrish and J Dilla.

The cause of Fiddler’s death remains unknown, however the artist has been suffering from ill health for some time — with a fundraiser launched earlier this month to help alleviate the cost of his medical bills.

Rest in Peace Amp Fiddler. Thank you for the music and for being a mentor to an icon who changed our lives.

Questlove paid tribute to Amp on Instagram, writing:

“Rest easy brother Amp. For all those talks during the Pfunk tour. For all the music. Especially of course mentoring the one who mentored us (Dilla)——thank you brother.”

Illa J paid tribute to his friend and his brother’s mentor:

💔gonna miss you man. Thank you so much for all the encouragement over the years, such an amazing vibe and energy, gonna miss all the MPC and synth conversations, buggin out on all this music tech. You mean so much to me and my bro, and our whole Detroit music family, you Morpheus to the whole crew, thank you, your spirit will live on forever. Rest in peace my brother. Love you 👊🏾👊🏾 🕊️

DJ Jazzy Jeff wrote:

Rest Well My Brother…🙏🏾🙏🏾
Say Hello to Dilla…🙏🏾🙏🏾
#RIPAMP

DJ Gilles Peterson also reacted by saying:

“Waking up to the desperately sad news that our dear friend Amp Fiddler has passed… from George Clinton to Dilla to Moodyman … Detroit royalty … a huge influence on musicians from all sides of the globe – he connected generations and scenes… a mentor to so many.

“One of my first ever BBC guests – Maida Vale sessions – gigs up and down the land – he put in the hours for us all – I’ll never forget those sound checks and hotel breakfasts and parenting tips – He had to deal with much personal tragedy in recent times – devastated to hear this news. RIP Amp – thank you.”

Fellow Detroit producer and understudy Wajeed added in his tribute:

“Friend. Brother. Confidant. Mentor. Architect It’s been a pleasure to share time with you. I can only hope to face the challenges life brings as fearlessly as you did. I’m grateful your transition brings you peace. We will carry your name.”

A-Trak added in an Instagram comment: