It cannot be overstated how strongly Detroit rapper, producer, and songwriter J Dilla (real name: James Dewitt Yancey) revolutionized the world of hip-hop.
Born in America's Motor City in February, 1974, he was a cornerstone of the city's thriving hip-hop scene and continues to influence the genre worldwide despite an untimely death. His musicianship was layered and complex, his productions were innovative, and his flow was smooth and soulful. To this day, J Dilla is frequently name-checked as one of the greatest and most influential musicians to ever do it. Now, in honour of Dilla Month, we thought to dive deeper into the legacy and influence of this once-in-a-generation talent.
Through a chance encounter with Amp Fiddler, J Dilla quickly rose to prominence as a talented producer for the likes of De La Soul and The Pharcyde. This, in turn, would soon see him as member of the legendary hip-hop group Slum Village and, later, The Ummah and Soulquarians (alongside ?uestlove, Bilal, and others). As a pioneer of the Akai MPC drum machine (currently on permanent display at the Smithsonian’s Museum of African-American History & Culture), he established himself as a highly sought-after producer through an approach that was both hard-hitting and intricate, layered and imaginative. It was a sound also famously sample-heavy and off-kilter, drawing a nostalgic appreciation for classic soul, jazz and r&b but transformed into revolutionary new musical creations. A product of his influences - from George Clinton to A Tribe Called Quest – J Dilla emerged and perfected a classic and contemporary sound, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in hip-hop. Early examples of this chopped and manipulated approach can be heard throughout the albums Fantastic, Vol 2 (2000) and Trinity (Past, Present and Future) (2002). Stacked with immediate classics, they brought on interest from artists like D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Wu Tang Clan, The Roots, and Common (amongst many others) to actively sought out J Dilla productions. In fact, the Common-collaboration The Light is widely regarded as one of his finest hours and a perfect example of refined “Jay Dee”.
Classic-era, sample-based hip-hop producers like DJ Premier and Pete Rock can also be felt throughout J Dilla's work. However, his willingness to experiment with new sounds and techniques produced a non-quantized sound definitively all his own. One where sampling acted as a musical instrument in itself. Perhaps the perfect example of this is his instrumental album Donuts. Through thirty-one beats, a mesmerizing, sample-based soundscape is created. Each beat serves its place in the broader album concept and as individual works of art, resulting in a universally acclaimed piece of work. Tracks like Gobstopper, Workinonit, and Last Donut of the Night expertly showcase this intricate craftsmanship while maintaining a distinct groove.
Besides his production work, J Dilla was also one the best to do it behind the mic. He was a member of the hip-hop group Jaylib and released a collaborative album with Madlib, Champion Sound (2003). It is widely regarded as one of the best hip-hop albums of the 2000s. Just listen to album tracks like The Red and The Heist and try to say he wasn't within the upper realms of rap prowess with a straight face. A perfect complement to his intricate beats, J Dilla's undeniable flow was stacked with introspective lyricism.
The complete discography of J Dilla is a testament to a vast musical knowledge and innovative artistic approach. It is also impossible to fully cover and appreciate in a small text sample given the lengthy list of collaborators, aliases, and posthumous releases. From his solo rap debut Welcome 2 Detroit (2001) to his seminal work with a who's who of hip-hop royalty, J Dilla's music has influenced everyone from Kendrick Lamar and Tyler, the Creator to Earl Sweatshirt and Flying Lotus. In addition to affecting those in the more mainstream forays of hip-hop, he has also profoundly impacted its underground avenues. Artists like the late great MF DOOM also cited the Detroit legend as a decisive influence. J Dilla's legacy lives on through such prominent names despite his tragic and untimely death in 2006 from a rare blood disease (at 32). It continues to inspire a new generation of producers and rappers while sounding as fresh and relevant now as it did in the 90s. J Dilla's legacy stands as a testament to the timelessness of true artistic vision in a genre that often places a premium on youth and commercial success.
