J Dilla

J Dilla (or Jay Dee), posthumously, has become known one of the most respected producers in the history of hip hop. Before his heartbreaking death due to a combination of Lupus and a rare blood disease called TTP, he was produced Busta Rhymes, Ghostface, A Tribe Called Quest, The Pharcyde, Common, De La Soul, Mos Def, and rapped on and produced his own hip hop collective Slum Village, and collaborated with Pete Rock (who he idolized) and Madlib, and also released solo records. Anyone who likes hip hop should know this cat because he's one of the heavies. His production style borrows from all over but typically relies on soul and jazz loops but his signatures are woozy basslines and drums that always have that satisfying thwack that is essential for good hip hop.

With anyone as diverse as Dilla, a primer is necessary and for this I recommend:


1.) The 2006 album Donuts- I can say, without fear of hyperbole, that this is easily one of the most creative things hip hop has ever been responsible for. The principal of the album is fragmented beats that are primarily based off loops but have more changes than you're typical hip hop instrumental. The songs flow into each other but you don't have much warning of what's gonna come next, it just hits you, you start grooving to it and- WHAM- next song. It's a headspinner at first but once you start digging it, you start to gain more and more respect for this guy. This album was a labor of love and will be his enduring masterpiece.



2.) The Pharcyde songs "Runnin" and "Drop" off 1995's Labcabincalifornia- Perhaps after the psychedelic experience of Donuts, you need some more proof that Dilla was the man. Look no further than these mid-90's classics. "Runnin" features the production techniques that he held until he passed away- a thumping bassline, odd African drum loops, and also adds in simple, down home guitar lines, a sax solo and the Pharcyde's rhymes. "Drop" is very bit it's equal in quality and features a trippy backwards synth (?) loop and another good bassline and drums that are higher and harder than those of "Runnin."


3.) The Busta Rhymes song "Woo Haa!! (Got You All In Check)- A cold classic of mid-90's hip hop and a hit on the radio too. You've probably heard this but in the context of the Dilla canon, it deserves another spin.


4.) The collaboration with Madlib, Jaylib, and their album Champion Sound- A perfect mathc, Madlib and Dilla both seemed to be coming from the same place sonically and their collaboration is mostly golden. At it's best it's some of the best work the two have ever done and at its "worst" its still better everything on major hip hop radio. They have loads of stoner-y battle raps and their production makes the best with the combines jazz influence and even touches on Madlib's Indian music fetish (especially "Survival Test").


5.) The Jaylib remix of Quasimoto's "Hydrant Game"- One of Dilla's all time best beats, put to Madlib's high-voiced alter ego. This is one of the most addicting songs I've ever come across and the rhyme fully does the beat justice.


Further studies: J Dilla- Ruff Draft, Slum Village- Fantastic Vol. 2 (actually any Slum Village is good but that's the best that Dilla produced), and the Ghostface Killah song "Whip You With a Strap" off 2006's Fishscale.


Here's a few samples but listen here- Normally I want you to get the albums I'm talking about by any means necessary but here's the deal- you need to buy at least Donuts. Since Dilla's death, his estate has not been getting hardly any money, even as his notoriety spread. Also complicating matters is that Dilla's mom, Ma Dukes as she's nicknamed, has also been battling lupus. So BUY some of this shit. You won't regret it- scouts honor!


MP3- Bye


MP3- Light Works


MP3- The Pharcyde: "Runnin"


MP3- Busta Rhymes: Woo Hah!! (Got You All In Check)


MP3- Jaylib- "Champion Sound"


MP3- Nothing Like This


MP3- Wild


MP3- Make 'Em N.V.