Three years after influential hip-hop MC and producer J Dilla's death, DC is still rightfully paying homage to the accomplished producer and MC who brought us everything from Common's "The Light" to the Pharcyde's "Runnin'?" and Janet Jackson's "Got 'Til It's Gone."

Last week, SEIU co-sponsored the 4th Annual J Dilla Tribute & Fundraiser show at DC's Liv Niteclub to celebrate influential hip-hop MC and producer J Dilla's legacy and raise awareness about the medical condition that cut his life short. During the last two years of struggle against the increasingly-debilitating autoimmune disease Lupus, Dilla's inadequate health coverage coverage ran out, leaving his family with mounting bills totaling over one million dollars they are still struggling to pay off.

A large, energetic crowd turned out to honor the beloved producer, packing U Street's Liv from wall-to-wall. Local emcees performed their best renditions of Dilla classics, accompanied by a live band and exception singing talent Allison Carney. All in all, it was an amazing event celebrating the life, the man and his transcendent music, which had such a profound effect on so many people.

Watch highlights from the event, which included appearances from Malik Taylor (aka Phife Dawg) from A Tribe Called Quest, Grap Luva (producer Pete Rock's brother) and special guests Dilla's mother Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey and Dilla's brother Illa J.

More pics from the amazing night for an amazing cause here.

Earlier in the day, SEIU held a "Healthcare Remix" roundtable with participants from healthcare, hip-hop (including Phife + Ms. Yancey) and progressive communities to discuss how urban communities can become more involved in the fight to reform our broken healthcare system. As panelist and Hip Hop Caucus CEO Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. said, "Don't think we can create change with just a mix tape."

Today, leaders in the House of Representatives released their comprehensive plan for reforming health care--putting us within arm's reach of quality, affordable health care for every American. Now it's your turn: Do your part to stand up for quality care for all.

Update: new video added. Watch it here

Today's hip-hop "Healthcare Remix" panel discussion at SEIU's headquarters in Washington, DC shed a bright light on the need for healthcare reform that does more than just expand insurance coverage--and why it is imperative that every community has a voice at the decision-making table. The event was held in honor of J Dilla, an influential hip-hop MC and producer whose rising star was cut short by complications stemming from his battle with Lupus.

Panelists spoke on the tremendous need for the hip-hop and artist community to advocate publicly on the need for healthcare reform, both in their communities and on Capitol Hill. "Hip-hop understood the power of being organized and the power of collaboration and diversity in organizing before it became the [more mainstream] term it is today. Unions understand this too," said panel moderator CIR/SEIU Healthcare president Dr. L Toni Lewis. "What you have is your voice to let Congress know what needs to done for healthcare equality today."

"Our people--poor people--are dying in America today because they don't have a card<," said Reverend Lennox Yearwood Jr., the president and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus of the millions of people whose suffering might have been prevented if they had been able to afford to receive the life-saving care they needed. Watch Rev. Yearwood speak about the biggest battle facing our generation in the 21st century:

Check out photos from the Healthcare Remix discussion here.