Detroit-bred hip-hop duo 1st Down comprised of producer extraordinaire James Dewitt Yancey, more commonly known as “Jay Dee” or “J Dilla” and Ron Christopher Watts aka Phat Kat. In 1995, the duo signed with Pay Day Records home to acts, Jeru The Damaja, Yasiin Bey / Mos Def and JAY-Z. They released their first single “A Day Wit' The Homies” / “Front Street” before disbanding due to label concerns. However, the duo reunited for Phat Kat’s Dedication to the Suckers EP, released in 1999 via House Shoes Recordings, which was produced entirely by J Dilla. Subsequent collaborative tracks include Slum Village’s Fan-Tas-Tic (Vol. 1), J Dilla’s Welcome 2 Detroit, in addition to Phat Kat’s solo efforts, The Undeniable LP and Carte Blanche.