How a dying musician created a visionary hip hop masterpiece
- Text by Gabriela Helfet
- Photography by Brian B+ Cross
If you have been inhabiting planet earth for any of the past 20 years, you’ll have heard the influence of James Yancey aka J Dilla – if not his music. Even if you have zero interest in hip hop, or sampling techniques, or audio production whatsoever, Dilla’s forward–thinking, prolific output as an artist and producer was so ahead of its time that it still continues to change the way music is created.
His Donuts LP is often regarded as the most important album of his career. As such, to pay fitting tribute to J Dilla on the anniversary of his untimely passing, Classic Album Sundays’ Colleen Murphy tapped Dilla super-aficionado, and head of music at Boiler Room, Raj Chaudhuri to deliver an inspiring talk on how the project came together.
The Donuts account is especially inspiring given the timeline of the album’s release: three days before Dilla’s death. Hospitalised and bed-ridden during his last few months, the fact that Dilla crafted a large part of Donuts from the discomfort of a medical gurney as his condition rapidly deteriorated, using just a portable turnable, MPC and sampler, is a testament to the Detroit master producer. Proving his passion for sound and insatiable desire to create and share his ideas, even his hands and limbs seizing up couldn’t stop Dilla from doing what he loved – right until the very end. Chaudhuri didn’t just tell the story of the making of an album, its roots, its pioneering elements, and all the luminaries Dilla influenced during the course of his life. What followed was an impassioned, heartfelt exploration of a dying artist’s visionary spirit. Regardless of your feelings on his music, trust. J Dilla can’t fail to move you.
For more on Classic Album Sundays and future events worldwide, head here.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
In the ’60s and ’70s, Greenwich Village was the musical heart of New York
Talkin’ Greenwich Village — Author David Browne’s new book takes readers into the neighbourhood’s creative heyday, where a generation of artists and poets including Bob Dylan, Billie Holliday and Dave Van Ronk cut their teeth.
Written by: Cyna Mirzai
How Labour Activism changed the landscape of post-war USA
American Job — A new exhibition revisits over 70 years of working class solidarity and struggle, its radical legacy, and the central role of photography throughout.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Analogue Appreciation: Emma-Jean Thackray
Weirdo — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, multi-instrumentalist and Brownswood affiliate Emma-Jean Thackray.
Written by: Emma-Jean Thackray
Meet the shop cats of Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan district
Feline good — Traditionally adopted to keep away rats from expensive produce, the feline guardians have become part of the central neighbourhood’s fabric. Erica’s online series captures the local celebrities.
Written by: Isaac Muk
How trans rights activism and sex workers’ solidarity emerged in the ’70s and ’80s
Shoulder to Shoulder — In this extract from writer Jake Hall’s new book, which deep dives into the history of queer activism and coalition, they explore how anti-TERF and anti-SWERF campaigning developed from the same cloth.
Written by: Jake Hall
A behind the scenes look at the atomic wedgie community
Stretched out — Benjamin Fredrickson’s new project and photobook ‘Wedgies’ queers a time-old bullying act by exploring its erotic, extreme potential.
Written by: Isaac Muk