A night dedicated to one of the most important figures in hip-hop takes place this weekend.

The life and work of legendary producer J-Dilla will be celebrated at this yearly event at Scala, in Pentonville Road, King’s Cross, on Sunday night.

Dilla, whose real name was James Yancey, died of a blood disease in 2006 but during his 32 years notched up a back catalogue of hits with some of the biggest names in the business.

His work with the likes of De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, The Pharcyde, Janet Jackson, Busta Rhymes, Common, D’Angelo and his own Slum Village outfit earned him a place among the pantheon of hip-hop greats.

The event, dubbed J-Dilla Changed My Life, features some of the UKs best DJs, all performing for free, including Mr Thing, Spin Doctor, Kidkanevil, Kutmah and DJ Lok.

n Doors open at 7pm and tickets cost £6, visit www.ticketweb.co.uk or call 08444 771 000