J Dilla

{{Short description|American rapper and producer (1974–2006)}} {{redirect|Jay Dee|the Dutch house producer and DJ|Jaydee|the Canadian country singer|Jaydee Bixby|the American comedian|Jay Dee (comedian)}} {{redirect|James Yancey|the pianist|Jimmy Yancey}} {{Essay-like|date=January 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = J Dilla | image = J_Dilla_James_Yancy.jpg | caption = J Dilla in 2004 | birth_name = James Dewitt Yancey | alias = {{hlist|Jay Dee|Jon Doe|JD|Dilla|Dilla Dawg|McNasty|J Deezy|Dill Withers|MC Silk|Pay Jay|}} | birth_date = {{birth date|1974|2|7}} | birth_place = [[Detroit]], Michigan, U.S. | origin = Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|2006|02|10|1974|2|7}} | death_place = [[Los Angeles]], California, U.S. | genre = {{flatlist| * [[Midwestern hip-hop]] * [[instrumental hip-hop]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/chicago/music/orchestral-interpretations-of-j-dilla-kenny-keys|title=Orchestral Interpretations of J Dilla + Kenny Keys|website=[[Time Out (company)|Time Out]]|date=June 13, 2019|access-date=January 23, 2021|archive-date=January 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129224324/https://www.timeout.com/chicago/music/orchestral-interpretations-of-j-dilla-kenny-keys|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[progressive soul]]<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Cochrane|first=Naima|date=March 26, 2020|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/neo-soul-2000-dangelo-erykah-badu-9343438/|title=2000: A Soul Odyssey|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=January 23, 2021}}</ref> * [[electronic music|electronic]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Coplan|first=Chris|date=April 5, 2013|url=https://consequence.net/2013/04/j-dillas-electronic-phase-documented-in-new-compilation-lost-tapes-reels-more/|title=J Dilla's electronic phase documented in new compilation, Lost Tapes, Reels + More|website=[[Consequence of Sound]]|access-date=January 23, 2021|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102152130/https://consequence.net/2013/04/j-dillas-electronic-phase-documented-in-new-compilation-lost-tapes-reels-more/|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[jazz]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Beaubien|first=Sam|date=October 17, 2019|url=https://wdet.org/posts/2019/10/17/88749-sams-jams-how-j-dilla-detroit-hip-hop-pioneer-changed-modern-music/|title=Sam's Jams: How J Dilla, Detroit Hip-Hop Pioneer, Changed Modern Music|website=[[WDET]]|access-date=January 23, 2021}}</ref> }} | discography = {{hlist|[[J Dilla discography|Albums]]|[[J Dilla production discography|production]]}} | occupations = {{hlist|Rapper|record producer|composer|drummer|songwriter}} | instrument = {{flatlist| *Vocals *drums *percussion *keyboards *drum machine *sampler}} | years_active = 1993–2006 | label = {{hlist|[[Delicious Vinyl]]|[[Barely Breaking Even|BBE]]|[[Pay Jay Productions|Pay Jay]]|[[MCA Records|MCA]]|[[Stones Throw]]|Bling 47|✓Look}} | past_member_of = {{flatlist| *[[Madlib|Jaylib]] *[[Slum Village]] *[[Soulquarians]] *[[The Ummah]]}} | module = {{Infobox person|embed=yes | signature = J Dilla sig.svg | signature_size = 75px }} }}

'''James Dewitt Yancey''' (February 7, 1974 – February 10, 2006),<ref name=ALLMUSIC>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jay-dee-mn0000809513 |title=Jay Dee | Music Biography, Credits and Discography |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=February 5, 2014 |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205061423/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jay-dee-mn0000809513 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/j-dilla-mn0000428126 |title=J Dilla | Music Biography, Credits and Discography |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=February 5, 2014 |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212230938/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/j-dilla-mn0000428126 |url-status=live }}</ref> better known by the stage names '''J Dilla''' and '''Jay Dee''', was an American record producer, rapper, and composer. He emerged from the mid-1990s [[underground hip-hop]] scene in [[Detroit]], Michigan, as a member of the group [[Slum Village]]. He was a founding member of the [[Soulquarians]], a musical collective active during the late 1990s and early 2000s.<ref>{{cite book|title=Hip Hop Around the World: An Encyclopedia|chapter=J He brought revolutionary techniques to the producing world. Reinventing techniques for sampling |year=2018|editor1-last=Fonseca|editor1-first=Anthony J.|editor2-last=Goldsmith|editor2-first=Melissa Ursula Dawn|publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]]|isbn=978-0-313-35759-6}}</ref> Yancey and [[Madlib]] collaborated as the duo Jaylib, releasing the album ''[[Champion Sound]]''. Yancey's final album, ''[[Donuts (album)|Donuts]]'', was released three days before his death. He was also known for producing [[the Pharcyde]] album ''[[Labcabincalifornia]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=333sound |date=2016-02-11 |title=Listening Party: J Dilla's Donuts |url=https://333sound.com/listening-party-j-dillas-donuts/ |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=Short books about albums. |language=en-US |archive-date=May 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521221632/https://333sound.com/listening-party-j-dillas-donuts/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Yancey died at the age of 32 from a combination of [[Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura|TTP]] and [[lupus]]. Despite a short mainstream career, he is widely considered to be one of the most influential producers in hip-hop and popular music.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Charnas |first=Dan |author-link=Dan Charnas |date=January 23, 2022 |title=How J Dilla Reinvented Rhythm |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/charnas-dilla-time-1286599/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-date=April 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415112721/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/charnas-dilla-time-1286599/ |url-status=live }}</ref> J Dilla's music raised the artistic level of [[hip-hop production]] in Detroit.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2013/10/history-of-detroit-rap/ |title=The 411 On The 313: A Brief History of Detroit Hip-Hop |last=Rubin |first=Mike |date=October 10, 2013 |publisher=Complex |access-date=2022-08-24 |archive-date=August 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824125120/https://www.complex.com/music/2013/10/history-of-detroit-rap/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to ''[[The Guardian]]'', "His affinity for crafting lengthy, melodic loops peppered with breakbeats and vocal samples took instrumental hip-hop into new, more musically complex realms."<ref name="theguardian-macinnes">{{cite web|first1=Paul|last1=MacInnes|access-date=July 10, 2021|title=J Dilla dies|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/13/j-dilla|date=June 12, 2011|website=The Guardian}}</ref> Yancey's approach to [[drum programming]], often cited as a loose, or "drunk", style that eschews the use of [[Quantization (music)|quantization]], has been influential on producers and drummers.

== Biography == === Early life === Yancey grew up in [[Detroit]], Michigan. The family lived in a house on the northeast corner of McDougall and Nevada, on the east side of Detroit.<ref>{{cite web |last=Coombe |first=Doug |url=http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=9544 |title=Let it roll |publisher=Metro Times |access-date=February 5, 2014 |archive-date=August 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811054930/http://www2.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=9544 |url-status=live }}</ref> Yancey's parents had musical backgrounds; his mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey, is a former [[opera]] singer and his father, Beverly Dewitt Yancey, was a jazz bassist, and performed [[Harlem Globetrotters|Globetrotters]] half-time shows for several years.<ref>At 5:10, mentioned by Ma Dukes. {{Citation|last=Fuse|title=J Dilla {{!}} Crate Diggers|date=March 20, 2013|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL3ENrZwjmw&t=310|access-date=February 26, 2019|archive-date=January 23, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123084915/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL3ENrZwjmw&t=310|url-status=live}}</ref> Yancey's mother said that he could "match pitch perfect harmony" before he learned how to speak.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2015/10/ma-dukes-interview-dillatronic-j-dilla|title=J Dilla's Mom on the New 'Dillatronic' Album and Why She Thought Her Son Was an Alien|website=Complex.com|access-date=January 10, 2019|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601223633/https://www.complex.com/music/2015/10/ma-dukes-interview-dillatronic-j-dilla|url-status=live}}</ref>

Along with a range of other musical genres, Yancey developed a passion for hip-hop music. After transferring from [[Davis Aerospace Technical High School]] to [[Pershing High School]], his classmates T3 and [[Baatin]] joined him in [[Battle rap|rap battles]]; the three later formed the rap group [[Slum Village]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.j-dilla.com/biography |title=Biography |website=J-dilla.com |access-date=February 5, 2014 |archive-date=June 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630054837/http://www.j-dilla.com/biography/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Yancey also took up beat-making using a simple tape deck as the center of his studio.<ref name="ALLMUSIC" /> In his teenage years, he "stayed in the basement alone" to train himself to produce beats with his growing record collection.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bossnetworth.com/j-dilla-jay-dee-net-worth/ | title=J Dilla's Net Worth | date=April 3, 2022 }}</ref>

=== Early career === In 1992, Yancey met the Detroit musician [[Amp Fiddler]], who let him use his [[Akai MPC]], a [[music workstation]], which he quickly mastered. Fiddler, while playing keyboards with [[Funkadelic]] on the 1994 [[Lollapalooza]] tour, met [[Q-Tip (musician)|Q-Tip]] of [[A Tribe Called Quest]], a group also in the lineup. Fiddler introduced Q-Tip to Yancey, who gave Q-Tip a Slum Village demo tape. In 1995, Yancey and MC [[Phat Kat]] formed [[1st Down]] and became the first Detroit hip-hop group to sign with a major label ([[Payday Records]]). The deal ended after one single when the label ended the contract.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}}

In 1995, Yancey recorded the ''Yester Years'' EP with 5 Elementz (a group consisting of [[Proof (rapper)|Proof]], Thyme, and Mudd). In 1996, he formed Slum Village and recorded what would become their debut album ''[[Fan-Tas-Tic (Vol. 1)|Fantastic, Vol. 1]]'' at RJ Rice Studios. Upon its release in 1997, the album quickly became popular with fans of Detroit hip-hop. Many journalists compared Slum Village to A Tribe Called Quest. However, Yancey said he felt uncomfortable with the comparison:

{{blockquote|It was kinda fucked up [getting that stamp] because people automatically put us in that [Tribe] category. That was actually a category that we didn't actually wanna be in. I thought the music came off like that, but we didn't realize that shit then. I mean, you gotta listen to the lyrics of the shit. Niggas was talking about getting [[fellatio|head]] from bitches. It was like a nigga from [[Native Tongues]] never woulda said that shit. I don't know how to say it. It's kinda fucked up because the audience we were trying to give to were actually people we hung around. Me, myself, I hung around regular ass Detroit cats. Not the [[conscious rap|backpack shit]] that people kept putting out there like that. I mean, I ain't never carried no goddamn backpack. But like I said, I understand to a certain extent. I guess that's how the beats came off on some smooth type of shit. And at that time, that's when [[Ruff Ryders]] [was out] and there was a lot of hard shit on the radio so our thing was we're gonna do exactly what's not on the radio.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/features/2010/02/j-dilla-the-lost-interview-circa-2004/3/ |title=J Dilla, The Lost Interview [circa 2004] - Page 3 of 3 – XXL |website=Xxlmag.com |date=2010-02-10 |access-date=2014-02-05 |archive-date=December 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201172611/http://www.xxlmag.com/features/2010/02/j-dilla-the-lost-interview-circa-2004/3/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

By the mid-1990s Yancey had a string of singles and [[remix]] projects for artists such as [[Janet Jackson]], [[the Pharcyde]], [[De La Soul]], [[Busta Rhymes]], A Tribe Called Quest as well as [[Q-Tip (rapper)|Q-Tip]] solo, and others. Many of these [[Hip-hop production|productions]] were released without Yancey's name attribution, being credited to [[the Ummah]], a production collective composed of him, Q-Tip and [[Ali Shaheed Muhammad]] of A Tribe Called Quest, and later [[Raphael Saadiq]] of [[Tony! Toni! Toné!]]. However, he was given songwriting credit on all of his non-remix productions under the Ummah.

Under this umbrella, Yancey produced original songs and remixes for Janet Jackson, Busta Rhymes, [[Brand New Heavies]], Something For the People, trip hop artists Crustation and many others. He handled production on seven tracks from the Pharcyde's album ''[[Labcabincalifornia]]'', released in the holiday season of 1995 and ''[[Hello (Poe album)|Hello]],'' the debut album by [[Poe (singer)|Poe]], [[1995 in music|released earlier that year]] on [[Modern Records (1980)|Modern Records]].<ref>Rocha, Del X.{{cite web |url=http://flo1071.com/j-dilla-the-legacy-lives/ |title=J Dilla…The Legacy Lives...FLO1071.com |date=May 12, 2016 |access-date=December 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101021639/http://flo1071.com/j-dilla-the-legacy-lives/ |archive-date=January 1, 2017 |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

=== Performing career === 2000 marked the [[major label]] debut of [[Slum Village]] with ''[[Fantastic, Vol. 2]]'', creating a new following for Yancey as a producer and MC. He was also a founding member of the production collective known as the [[Soulquarians]] (along with Ahmir "[[Questlove]]" Thompson, [[D'Angelo]] and [[James Poyser]] amongst others) which earned him more recognition. He later worked with [[Erykah Badu]], [[Poe (singer)|Poe]], [[Talib Kweli]], and [[Common (rapper)|Common]]—contributing heavily to the latter's critically acclaimed breakthrough album, ''[[Like Water for Chocolate (album)|Like Water for Chocolate]]''.<ref name="ALLMUSIC" />

His debut as a solo artist came in 2001 with the single "[[Fuck the Police (J Dilla song)|Fuck the Police]]" (Up Above Records), followed by the album ''[[Welcome 2 Detroit]]'', which began British independent record label [[BBE Records|BBE]]'s "Beat Generation" series. In 2001, Yancey began using the name J Dilla to differentiate himself from [[Jermaine Dupri]] who also goes by "J.D." He left Slum Village to pursue a major label solo career with [[MCA Records]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}}

In 2002, Yancey produced [[Frank-N-Dank]]'s ''[[48 Hours (Frank-N-Dank album)|48 Hours]]'', as well as a solo album, but neither record was ever released, although the former surfaced through [[Bootleg recording|bootlegging]].<ref name=groove>Haleem, Aadel. [http://www.grooveattack.de/distribution/artist_add.php3?artistid=85&interpret=Jay+Dee&title=Jay+Dee+Interview&label= Jay Dee Interview]{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. GrooveAttack.de. Accessed April 8, 2008.</ref> When Yancey finished working with Frank-N-Dank on the ''48 Hours'' album, MCA Records requested a record with a larger commercial appeal, and the artists re-recorded the majority of the tracks, this time using little to no samples.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} Despite this, neither versions of the album were successful, and Yancey stated that he was disappointed that the music never got out to the fans.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

Around this time, Yancey also assisted in the production of singer and fellow Soulquarian [[Bilal (American singer)|Bilal]]'s second album, ''[[Love for Sale (Bilal album)|Love for Sale]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kellman|first=Andy|date=n.d.|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bilal-mn0000057280/biography|title=Bilal|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=July 20, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729201159/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bilal-mn0000057280/biography|url-status=live}}</ref> The singer credited Yancey with showing him a unique approach to [[drum programming]]: "He had this thing where no matter what he picked up he could bend his will into it. Just because you hear it so strong in your head you can throw the funk in it."<ref>{{cite interview|subject=Bilal|interviewer=Civil Writes|date=June 16, 2010|url=https://www.vibe.com/2010/06/long-convo-withbilal|access-date=July 20, 2020|magazine=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|title=A Long Convo With...BILAL|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210122031431/https://www.vibe.com/2010/06/long-convo-withbilal|url-status=live}}</ref>

Yancey was signed to a solo deal with [[MCA Records]] in 2002. Although Yancey was known as a producer rather than an MC, he chose to rap on the album and have the music produced by some of his favorite producers,<ref>J Dilla, ''Ruff Draft'' (2007), liner notes</ref> such as [[Madlib]], [[Pete Rock]], [[Hi-Tek]], Supa Dave West, [[Kanye West]], [[Nottz]], [[Waajeed]] and others. The album was shelved due to internal changes at the label and MCA.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

While the record with MCA stalled, Yancey recorded ''[[Ruff Draft]]'', released exclusively to vinyl by German label Groove Attack.<ref name=autogenerated1>Liner notes by Ronnie Reese, ''Ruff Draft'' (2007)</ref> The album was also unsuccessful, but his work from this point on was increasingly released through independent record labels. In a 2003 interview with Groove Attack, Yancey talked about this change of direction: {{blockquote|text=You know, if I had a choice... Skip the major labels and just put it out yourself, man... Trust me. I tell everybody it's better to do it yourself and let the Indies come after you instead of going in their [direction] and getting a deal and you have to wait. It ain't fun. Take it from me. Right now, I'm on MCA but it feels like I'm an unsigned artist still. It's cool. It's a blessing, but damn I'm like, 'When's my shit gonna come out? I'm ready now, what's up?'}}

=== Later life and death === The [[Los Angeles]] producer and MC [[Madlib]] began collaborating with Yancey, and the pair formed the group [[Jaylib]] in 2002, releasing an album called ''[[Champion Sound]]'' in 2003.<ref name="ALLMUSIC" /> Yancey relocated from Detroit to Los Angeles in 2004 and appeared on [[concert tour|tour]] with Jaylib in Spring 2004.

Yancey's [[thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura|illness]] and medication caused dramatic weight loss in 2003 onwards, forcing him to publicly confirm speculation about his health in 2004. Despite a slower output of major releases and production credits in 2004 and 2005, his [[cult following|cult]] status remained strong within his core audience, as evidenced by unauthorized circulation of his underground "beat tapes" (instrumental, and raw working materials), mostly through internet [[file sharing]].<ref name="theguardian-macinnes" /><ref name="auto">''Detroit Free Press'', February 23, 2006</ref>

Articles in the publications ''[[URB (magazine)|URB]]'' (March 2004) and ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'' (June 2005) confirmed rumors of ill health and hospitalization during this period, but these were downplayed by Jay himself. The seriousness of his condition became public in November 2005 when Yancey toured [[Europe]] performing from a wheelchair. It was later revealed that he suffered from [[thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura]] (a rare blood disease), and [[Lupus erythematosus|lupus]].<ref name="theguardian-macinnes" /><ref name="auto" /> Near the end of his life, he was mostly hospital bound, which eventually left him in debt–after his medical insurance was dropped following a late payment. His mother, Maureen Yancey, recalled paying $500,000 a month.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Washington|first=Glynn|editor1-first=John|editor1-last=Biewen|editor2-first=Alexa|editor2-last=Dilworth|author-link=Glynn Washington|url=http://northcarolina.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.5149/northcarolina/9781469633138.001.0001/upso-9781469633138|title=Reality Radio, Second Edition: Telling True Stories in Sound|date=February 13, 2017|publisher=University of North Carolina Press|isbn=978-1-4696-3313-8|edition=2|pages=150|language=en|chapter=Finding the Beats|doi=10.5149/northcarolina/9781469633138.001.0001|archive-date=September 12, 2021|access-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912214245/https://northcarolina.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.5149/northcarolina/9781469633138.001.0001/upso-9781469633138|url-status=live}}</ref>

Yancey died on February 10, 2006, at his home in Los Angeles, three days after the release of his final album, ''[[Donuts (album)|Donuts]]''. Maureen said that the cause was [[cardiac arrest]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Sanneh |first=Kelefa |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D05EEDA123EF937A25751C0A9609C8B63&scp=8&sq=J.%20Dilla&st=cse |title=James Yancey, 32, Producer Known for Soulful Hip-Hop – Obituary (Obit); Biography – NYTimes.com |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 14, 2006 |access-date=February 5, 2014 |archive-date=November 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101034016/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D05EEDA123EF937A25751C0A9609C8B63&scp=8&sq=J.%20Dilla&st=cse |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|access-date=July 10, 2021|title=US hip-hop producer dies aged 32|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4706602.stm|publisher=BBC News|date=February 12, 2006|archive-date=July 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710113403/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4706602.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first1=Alex|last1=Mar|access-date=July 10, 2021|title=J Dilla Dead at Thirty-two|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/j-dilla-dead-at-thirty-two-90005/|date=February 13, 2006|archive-date=July 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710113402/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/j-dilla-dead-at-thirty-two-90005/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5205096 |title=Hip-Hop Producer, Rapper Jay Dee AKA J Dilla |website=NPR.org |publisher=NPR |date=February 14, 2006 |access-date=February 5, 2014 |archive-date=June 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625083422/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5205096 |url-status=live }}</ref> He is buried at [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale, California)|Forest Lawn]] in [[Glendale, California]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.laweekly.com/heres-where-l-a-rap-legends-are-buried/|title=Here's Where L.A. Rap Legends Are Buried|website=L.A. Weekly|date=November 18, 2013}}</ref>

== Musical style == {{Expand section|date=June 2022}} According to [[Dan Charnas]], Yancey juxtaposed straight and [[Swing time|swung]] styles, creating "a new, pleasurable, disorienting rhythmic friction and new time-feel".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Charnas |first=Dan |title=Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm |publisher=[[Swift Press]] |year=2022 |isbn=978-1-80075-174-3 |author-link=Dan Charnas}}</ref> He used an [[Akai MPC3000]] and disabled the [[Quantization (music)|quantize]] feature to create his signature "off-kilter" sampling style.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Helfet |first=Gabriela |date=September 9, 2020 |title=Drunk drummer-style grooves |url=https://www.attackmagazine.com/technique/beat-dissected/drunk-drummer-style-grooves/ |access-date=January 24, 2022 |website=Attack Magazine |archive-date=January 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124003352/https://www.attackmagazine.com/technique/beat-dissected/drunk-drummer-style-grooves/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Posthumous releases == At the time of his death, Yancey had several projects planned for future completion and release.<ref name="ALLMUSIC" /> According to founding Slum Village member T3 in an interview in March 2015, Yancey had about 150 unreleased beats, some of which featured on Slum Village's album entitled ''Yes!'', released June 16, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soundofboston.com/interview-slum-village/ |title=Interview: Slum Village – Sound of Boston – Boston Music Blog |date=March 9, 2015 |publisher=Sound of Boston |access-date=November 30, 2015 |archive-date=February 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201152218/http://soundofboston.com/interview-slum-village/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''[[The Shining (J Dilla album)|The Shining]]'' was "75% completed when Dilla died" and was finished by [[Karriem Riggins]] and later released on August 8, 2006, on [[Barely Breaking Even|BBE Records]].<ref>''Detroit Free Press'', June 29, 2006</ref>

''[[Ruff Draft]]'' was reissued as a double CD/LP set in March 2007 and is sometimes considered his third solo album. The reissue contains unreleased material from the ''Ruff Draft'' sessions and instrumentals. It was also released in a cassette tape format, paying homage to Yancey's dirty, grimy sound (he was known for recording over two-tracked instrumentals).<ref name="ALLMUSIC" />

''[[Sniperlite]]'' was an EP released by the hip-hop collaboration Dilla Ghost Doom, consisting of Yancey, [[Ghostface Killah]], and [[MF Doom]]. It was recorded sometime in 2005 before Yancey's passing. It was subsequently released in 2008 by [[Stones Throw Records]].

''[[Jay Love Japan]]'' was announced in 2005 as his debut release on the Operation Unknown label. Though it saw a 2006 release in Japan, it was heavily bootlegged elsewhere and did not receive an official release until 2016.

''[[Champion Sound]]'', Yancey's and Madlib's collaborative album, was reissued in June 2007 by [[Stones Throw Records]] as a 2-CD Deluxe Edition with instrumentals and b-sides.<ref name="ALLMUSIC" />

''[[Yancey Boys]]'', the debut album by Yancey's younger brother [[Illa J|John Yancey]], was released in 2008 on [[Delicious Vinyl Records]]. It is produced entirely by Dilla and features rapping by his brother, under the name '[[Illa J]]'. Stones Throw Records released a digital instrumental version of the album in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stonesthrow.com/store/album/jdilla/yancey-boys-instrumentals |title=J Dilla | Yancey Boys Instrumentals | Stones Throw Records |website=Stonesthrow.com |access-date=February 5, 2014 |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626135555/http://www.stonesthrow.com/store/album/jdilla/yancey-boys-instrumentals |url-status=dead }}</ref>

''[[Jay Stay Paid]]'', an album featuring 28 previously unreleased instrumental tracks made at various points in his career, was released in 2009 by [[Nature Sounds]]. Vocals to a select few of the tracks were provided by rappers who were close to Yancey though the majority of the album is instrumental. The project was mixed and arranged by [[Pete Rock]].

In 2010, unreleased production and vocals from Yancey were featured on [[Slum Village]]'s sixth studio album ''[[Villa Manifesto]]'', the first album with all five members.

In December 2011, Jonathan Taylor, CEO of the Yancey Music Group (founded by Yancey's mother Maureen Yancey), told the UK's Conspiracy Worldwide radio show that the album ''Rebirth of Detroit'' was ready for a May 2012 release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/music/index.ssf/2012/01/new_j_dilla_album_rebirth_of_d.html |title=New J. Dilla album, 'Rebirth of Detroit,' scheduled for Memorial Day 2012 release |website=MLive.com |date=January 4, 2012 |access-date=February 5, 2014}}</ref> On May 25, 2012, Mahogani Music released a limited edition 12" vinyl titled ''Dillatroit/Rebirth Promo EP,'' leading up to the official release of ''Rebirth of Detroit'' on June 12, 2012.

In 2014, Yancey's long-lost MCA Records album entitled ''[[The Diary (J Dilla album)|The Diary]]'' was scheduled for release, but was delayed to April 15, 2016, via Mass Appeal Records. Intended for release in 2002, the album is a collection of Yancey's vocal performances over production by [[Madlib]], [[Pete Rock]], [[Nottz]], [[House Shoes]], [[Karriem Riggins]], and others. The first single is the album's intro cut, "The Introduction."<ref>{{cite web |date=February 18, 2016 |title=J Dilla's Lost Long Album, "The Diary", Getting Release |url=http://www.ballerstatus.com/2016/02/18/j-dillas-lost-long-album-the-diary-getting-release/ |website=BallerStatus.com}}{{dead link|date=November 2023}}</ref>

In 2020, Dres of [[Black Sheep (group)|Black Sheep]] announced that he would be releasing a collaborative album with Yancey titled ''No Words'', with unreleased instrumentals of Yancey's provided with the cooperation of his mother.<ref>{{cite web |author=Elijah C. Watson |date=February 26, 2020 |title=Black Sheep's Dres Announces New J Dilla Collab Album 'No Words' |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/news/j-dilla-dres-collab-album-no-words-2020.htm |access-date=March 8, 2020 |website=Okayplayer.com}}{{dead link|date=November 2023}}</ref>

In February 2021, the 20th anniversary edition of ''Welcome 2 Detroit'' was released.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://pitchfork.com/news/j-dilla-welcome-2-detroit-20th-anniversary-box-set-announced/|title = J Dilla Welcome 2 Detroit 20th Anniversary Box Set Announced|website = [[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date = November 2, 2020|access-date = November 12, 2020|archive-date = November 15, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201115183354/https://pitchfork.com/news/j-dilla-welcome-2-detroit-20th-anniversary-box-set-announced/|url-status = live}}</ref>

In March 2023, the J Dilla Foundation partnered with Kano Computing for a 10-year deal to release exclusive music on the Stem Player.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/j-dillas-releasing-catalog-stem-player-1234707050/|title = J Dilla's Foundation Says They Agreed to a Deal With Kano's Stem Player|magazine = [[Rolling Stone]]|date = March 31, 2023|access-date = April 12, 2024|archive-date = June 8, 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230608094156/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/j-dillas-releasing-catalog-stem-player-1234707050/|url-status = live}}</ref> They released ''J Dilla’s Stems Vol. 1'' with the deal's announcement, followed by volumes 2 and 3 later.

== Legacy == [[File:Moog Voyager.jpg|thumb|A Minimoog Voyager, as owned by Yancey]] [[File:MF Doom, J Dilla mural.jpg|thumb|A [[mural]] in the Wynwood neigh{{shy}}bor{{shy}}hood of Miami, Florida depicting [[MF Doom]] (left) and Yancey (center) as ''[[Peanuts]]'' characters [[Charlie Brown]] and [[Schroeder (Peanuts)|Schroeder]]]] Yancey was survived by two daughters.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.onetwoonetwo.com/j-dillas-family-members-talk-about-lupus-charity/|title= OneTwoOneTwo interview J Dilla's uncle|website= OneTwoOneTwo.com|date= July 25, 2007|access-date= February 9, 2014|archive-date= December 22, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151222161136/http://www.onetwoonetwo.com/j-dillas-family-members-talk-about-lupus-charity/|url-status= live}}</ref> In May 2006, Yancey's mother announced the creation of the J Dilla Foundation, which works to cure people affected by [[lupus erythematosus|lupus]].<ref name="ALLMUSIC" />

=== Influence and innovation === {{Listen |filename = J Dilla - Don't Cry.ogg |pos = left |title = "Don't Cry" |description = "Don't Cry", a noteworthy track from ''[[Donuts (album)|Donuts]]'', achieved universal critical acclaim for its emotional depth, seamless abstract flow, and chopping. }} Yancey's death has had a significant impact on the hip-hop community.<ref>{{cite web |last=Crawford |first=Byron |date=March 27, 2008 |title=Leave J Dilla's corpse alone – XXL |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=20587 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316174906/http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=20587 |archive-date=March 16, 2009 |access-date=February 5, 2014 |website=Xxlmag.com}}</ref> Besides countless tribute tracks and concerts, Yancey's death created a wealth of interest in his remaining catalog and, consequently, Yancey's influence on hip-hop production became more apparent.<ref name="ALLMUSIC" />

"Highly influential for both producers and drummers", he made "innovative" use of the MPC sampler, by employing real-time rhythms and choosing not to [[Quantization (music)|quantize]] them, thus creating a "drunk" and "laid-back" style which "[was] a significant contribution to contemporary popular music that evade[d] quick interpretation, transcription and definition". [[Questlove]]—who considers Yancey the "world's greatest drummer"—said that he "invented the sound we call [[neo-soul]]" and actively sought to emulate Yancey.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Brennan|first=Matt|url=https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780190683863.001.0001/oso-9780190683863|title=Kick It: A Social History of the Drum Kit|date=March 26, 2020|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|isbn=978-0-19-068386-3|edition=1|pages=301–302|doi=10.1093/oso/9780190683863.001.0001|archive-date=September 12, 2021|access-date=September 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912181414/https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780190683863.001.0001/oso-9780190683863|url-status=live}}</ref> The University of Illinois' Adam Kruse states that Yancey is "considered one of the greatest beat producers in hip-hop's history".<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kruse|first=Adam J.|date=2016|title=Featherless Dinosaurs and the Hip-Hop Simulacrum: Reconsidering Hip-Hop's Appropriateness for the Music Classroom|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24755676|journal=Music Educators Journal|volume=102|issue=4|pages=13–21|doi=10.1177/0027432116638904|jstor=24755676|s2cid=147952067|issn=0027-4321|url-access=subscription|archive-date=September 13, 2021|access-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913212316/https://www.jstor.org/stable/24755676|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Honors ===

[[Dave Chappelle]] gives a special dedication to Yancey in his movie ''[[Dave Chappelle's Block Party]]'', which includes the statement: "This film is dedicated to the life and memory of Music Producer J Dilla, aka Jay Dee (James D. Yancey)". The film focuses mostly on members of the [[Soulquarians]], a collective of hip-hop musicians of which Yancey was also a member.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bonuscut.com/2014/06/11/the-return-of-dave-chappelle-and-a-look-back-at-his-block-party |title=THE RETURN OF DAVE CHAPPELLE AND A LOOK BACK AT HIS BLOCK PARTY |publisher=Bonus Cut |date=July 11, 2014 |access-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524093605/https://bonuscut.com/2014/06/11/the-return-of-dave-chappelle-and-a-look-back-at-his-block-party |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Yancey's music has been used in various television programs. In 2006, [[Cartoon Network]]'s late night programing block [[Adult Swim]] played the songs "Waves", "Welcome to the Show", and "Mash" during the [[Bumper (broadcasting)|commercial bumpers]] in between shows, as well as a number of tracks on their [[Chrome Children]] EP. In May 2010, [[United Kingdom|UK]] [[mobile network]] [[O2 Broadband|O2]] used [[Jaylib]]'s "The Red" instrumental in their "Pool Party" ad.<ref name="02 Pool Party">{{cite web |url=http://www.tvadmusic.co.uk/2010/05/o2-pool-party/ |title=O2 – Pool Party |publisher=TV Ad Music |date=May 15, 2010 |access-date=February 20, 2011 |archive-date=March 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308012525/http://www.tvadmusic.co.uk/2010/05/o2-pool-party/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A recent BBC documentary inspired by the Olympic runner [[Usain Bolt]] contained two Yancey-produced songs—"So Far To Go" by [[Common (entertainer)|Common]] and "[[Runnin' (The Pharcyde song)|Runnin']]" by [[the Pharcyde]].

In February 2007, a year after his death, Yancey posthumously received the [[PLUG Awards]] Artist of the Year as well as the award for Record Producer of the Year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1055072/band-of-horses-j-dilla-reap-plug-awards |title=Band Of Horses, J Dilla Reap PLUG Awards |publisher=Billboard |access-date=February 5, 2014 |archive-date=February 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201152218/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1055072/band-of-horses-j-dilla-reap-plug-awards |url-status=live }}</ref> In Yancey's hometown of Detroit, [[Detroit techno]] veteran [[Carl Craig]] has fronted a movement to install a plaque in honor of Yancey in [[Conant Gardens]] (where the artist grew up and initiated his career). A resolution for the proposed plaque was passed by the Detroit Entertainment Commission in May 2010, and is currently awaiting approval by the [[Detroit City Council]].<ref name="J Dilla Plaque Proposed to Stand in Conant Gardens">{{cite web |url=http://theloopdetroit.com/2010/05/j-dilla-plaque-proposed-to-stand-in-conant-gardens/ |title=J. Dilla Plaque Proposed To Stand In Conant Gardens |publisher=The Loop Detroit |date=May 30, 2010 |access-date=February 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110131095941/http://theloopdetroit.com/2010/05/j-dilla-plaque-proposed-to-stand-in-conant-gardens/ |archive-date=January 31, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Posthumous controversies ===

Despite these accolades, there have been documented conflicts between his mother and the executor of his estate Arthur Erk regarding future Dilla releases. In an interview with ''[[LA Weekly]]'', Erk described how difficult it was for the estate to "protect his legacy" due to bootlegging and unofficial mixtapes.<ref name="Who's Biting J Dilla's Beats?">{{cite web |last=Weiss |first=Jeff |date=June 18, 2008 |title=Who's Biting J Dilla's Beats? | Music | Los Angeles | Los Angeles News and Events |url=http://www.laweekly.com/2008-06-19/music/who-39-s-biting-j-dilla-39-s-beats/1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413160136/https://www.laweekly.com/music/whos-biting-j-dillas-beats-2154002 |archive-date=April 13, 2019 |access-date=February 5, 2014 |publisher=LA Weekly}}</ref> He stressed how important it was for the estate to gather all possible income related to Yancey's name, as Yancey had to borrow money from the government due to mounting medical bills at the end of his life.<ref name="Who's Biting J Dilla's Beats?" />

A few weeks later, Yancey's mother, who appeared on such unofficial mixtapes as Busta Rhymes' ''Dillagence'', gave her take on these issues. In addition to stating that Arthur Erk and Yancey's estate has chosen not to communicate with his family, she has said that he has barred anyone from use of Yancey's likeness or name.<ref name="blogs.laweekly.com">{{cite web |last=Weiss |first=Jeff |date=July 24, 2008 |title=An Interview with J Dilla's Mother, Ms. Maureen Yancey |url=http://www.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2008/07/24/an-interview-with-j-dillas-mother-ms-maureen-yancey |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413160141/https://www.laweekly.com/music/an-interview-with-j-dillas-mother-ms-maureen-yancey-2401135 |archive-date=April 13, 2019 |access-date=November 30, 2015 |publisher=L.A. Weekly}}</ref>

{{blockquote|text=One of the things Dilla wanted me to do with his legacy was to use it to help others, people with illness, kids who were musically gifted but had little hope due to poverty. I wanted to use my contacts to help people out and it was squashed because we weren't in compliance with the state and there was nothing we could do about it. I'm Dilla's mother and I can't use Dilla's name or likeness, but I know that I still can honor him by doing his work.<ref name="blogs.laweekly.com" />}}

Mrs. Yancey mentioned that Erk was in fact Yancey's accountant and not his business manager in his lifetime, and that he fell into his position because she and Yancey were first and foremost concerned about his health and not with getting paperwork in order.<ref name="blogs.laweekly.com" /> She also said that Yancey's friends in the hip-hop community, such as [[Erykah Badu]], [[Busta Rhymes]], [[Madlib]], [[Common (rapper)|Common]], and [[the Roots]], have contacted her personally for future projects with Yancey beats, but the estate has vetoed all future projects not contracted prior to Yancey's death.<ref name="blogs.laweekly.com" /> She implied that Yancey would not support the estate's practices, such as their prosecution of bootleggers and file sharers.<ref name="blogs.laweekly.com" />

Due to Yancey's debt it took 15 plus years for his heirs to profit from his work. As of 2021, payment has been received.<ref name="blogs.laweekly.com" /> Yancey's children are being supported by the social security their mothers have drawn.<ref name="blogs.laweekly.com" /> Likewise, Mrs. Yancey is also still paying off Yancey's medical bills that she helped finance, leaving her also in tremendous debt. She still lives in the same Detroit ghetto, is still a daycare worker at Conant Gardens and also suffers from lupus, the same disease which killed Yancey.<ref name="blogs.laweekly.com" /> To help pay the cost of medication and keep her household afloat, Delicious Vinyl donated all proceeds of ''Jay Dee – The Delicious Vinyl Years'' to Mrs. Yancey in 2007. In 2008, Giant Peach created a donation PayPal account for her and RenSoul.com released a charity mixtape.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rensoul.com/madukes.php|title=Renaissance Soul Detroit v5.0 – www.rensoul.com|date=February 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218220431/http://rensoul.com/madukes.php|archive-date=February 18, 2009}}</ref>

According to his mother, the family lost their old home in Detroit due to her taking care of Yancey in his final days.<ref name="The Battle for J Dilla's Legacy">{{cite web |url=http://www.stonesthrow.com/news/2009/01/the-battle-for-j-dilla-s-legacy |title=The Battle for J Dilla's Legacy | Stones Throw Records |website=Stonesthrow.com |date=January 13, 2009 |access-date=February 5, 2014 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222115017/http://www.stonesthrow.com/news/2009/01/the-battle-for-j-dilla-s-legacy |url-status=live }}</ref> The mother of one of Yancey's children, Monica Whitlow, broke her silence on the issue of the estate and his legacy:

{{blockquote|text=It pisses me off, everything that's going on with this estate. It's ridiculous 'cause it's been three years, and my baby has not seen anything from this estate.<ref name="The Battle for J Dilla's Legacy" />}}

On January 24, 2010, an announcement was made on j-dilla.com, regarding the Yancey Estate and the Yancey family.

{{blockquote|The family of late music producer James "J Dilla" Yancey is extremely pleased to announce the appointment of West Coast probate attorney Alex Borden as an administrator of Yancey's estate, and also to announce the establishment of the official J Dilla Foundation. The developments mark a new chapter in preserving and enhancing the legacy of the legendary artist and secure a means of future prosperity for his mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey, daughters Ja'Mya Yancey and Ty-Monae Whitlow, and brother, John "Illa J" Yancey.<ref name=" ANNOUNCING REORGANIZED J DILLA ESTATE & PLANS FOR J DILLA FOUNDATION">{{cite web |url=http://j-dilla.com/2010/01/24/announcing-reorganized-j-dilla-estate/ |title=The Family of J Dilla Announces Reorganized J Dilla Estate |website=J-dilla.com |date=2010-01-24 |access-date=2014-02-05 |archive-date=January 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123200803/http://j-dilla.com/2010/01/24/announcing-reorganized-j-dilla-estate/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}

=== Memorial items ===

In mid-2012, [[Montpellier, France]], dedicated a small street "Allée Jay Dee".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.j-dilla.com/2013/02/01/jay-dee-alley-montpellier-france/ |title=Jay Dee Alley, Montpellier, France |website=J-dilla.com |date=February 1, 2013 |access-date=February 5, 2014 |archive-date=June 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618180746/http://www.j-dilla.com/2013/02/01/jay-dee-alley-montpellier-france/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2014, Maureen Yancey donated Yancey's custom-made [[Minimoog Voyager]] synthesizer and [[Akai MPC3000]] to the [[Smithsonian]]'s [[National Museum of African American History and Culture]]. They are part of the "Musical Crossroads" exhibit.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 23, 2014 |title=J Dilla's equipment donated to the Smithsonian |url=http://www.j-dilla.com/2014/07/23/smithsonian/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727004311/http://www.j-dilla.com/2014/07/23/smithsonian/ |archive-date=July 27, 2014 |access-date=November 30, 2015 |website=J-dilla.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/legacy-hip-hop-producer-j-dilla-will-be-recognized-among-collections-smithsonian-180952164/|last=Kutner|first=Max|title=The Legacy of Hip-Hop Producer J Dilla Will Be Recognized Among the Collections at the Smithsonian|website=Smithsonian Magazine|date=July 25, 2014|access-date=July 31, 2014|archive-date=July 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730093859/http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/legacy-hip-hop-producer-j-dilla-will-be-recognized-among-collections-smithsonian-180952164/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2014.139.2a |title=Minimoog Voyager synthesizer used by J Dilla |access-date=January 6, 2016 |website=National Museum of African American History & Culture}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2014.139.1 |title=MIDI Production Center 3000 Limited Edition used by J Dilla |access-date=January 6, 2016 |website=National Museum of African American History & Culture |archive-date=September 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918062013/https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2014.139.1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A Yancey-inspired donut shop opened in [[Detroit]] on May 3, 2016, to a great reception.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Danny |date=May 4, 2016 |title=J Dilla shop opened |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/j-dilla-inspired-donut-shop-dillas-delights-opens-in-detroit-news.21440.html?/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426110601/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/43720-j-dilla-inspired-donut-shop-dillas-delights-opens-in-detroit-news |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |access-date=May 4, 2016 |website=Hotnewhiphop.com}}</ref> Created by Yancey's uncle Herman Hayes to honor his nephew's legacy, it sold out of donuts three times on its first day.

=== Book ===

The book ''[[Dilla Time]]'' by Dan Charnas about Yancey's life, work and influence premiered at #4 on the ''New York Times'' bestseller list in February 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Hardcover Nonfiction Books – Best Sellers – Books – The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/hardcover-nonfiction/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210003151/https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/hardcover-nonfiction/ |archive-date=February 10, 2022 |access-date=February 10, 2022 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

== Discography == {{Main|J Dilla discography|J Dilla production discography|l2 = production discography}}

=== Studio albums ===  * 2001: ''[[Welcome 2 Detroit]]'' * 2003: ''[[Champion Sound]]'' (with [[Madlib]] as Jaylib) * 2006: ''[[Donuts (album)|Donuts]]''

=== Posthumously released studio albums === * 2006: ''[[The Shining (J Dilla album)|The Shining]]'' * 2007: ''[[Jay Love Japan]]'' * 2009: ''[[Jay Stay Paid]]'' * 2016: ''[[The Diary (J Dilla album)|The Diary]]''

=== Extended plays === * 2002: ''[[Vol. 1: Unreleased]]'' * 2003: ''[[Vol. 2: Vintage]]'' * 2003: ''[[Ruff Draft]] ''(2003 release)

=== Compilations === * 2007: ''[[Jay Deelicious: The Delicious Vinyl Years]]'' * 2009: ''Dillanthology 1: Dilla's Productions for Various Artists'' * 2009: ''Dillanthology 2: Dilla's Remixes for Various Artists'' * 2009: ''Dillanthology 3: Dilla's Productions'' * 2013: ''Lost Tapes, Reels + More'' * 2015: ''Jay Dee a.k.a. J Dilla 'The King of Beats' (Box Set)'' * 2015: ''[[Dillatronic]]'' * 2016: ''Jay Dee a.k.a. J Dilla 'The King of Beats', Vol. 2: Lost Scrolls'' * 2016: ''Jay Dee's Ma Dukes Collection'' * 2017: ''J Dilla's Delights, Vol. 1'' * 2017: ''J Dilla's Delights, Vol. 2'' {{col-2}}

=== Posthumously released work === * 2006: ''[[Donuts EP: J. Rocc's Picks]]'' (EP) * 2006: ''[[The Shining (J Dilla album)|The Shining]]'' * 2007: ''[[Ruff Draft]]'' (Reissue) * 2007: ''[[Jay Love Japan]]'' * 2008: ''[[Sniperlite]]'' {{small|(with [[MF Doom]] and [[Ghostface Killah]] as Dilla Ghost Doom)}} * 2009: ''[[Jay Stay Paid]]'' * 2010: ''[[Donut Shop]]'' (EP) * 2012: ''Dillatroit'' (EP) * 2012: ''Rebirth of Detroit'' * 2013: ''The Lost Scrolls, Vol. 1'' (EP) * 2013: ''Diamonds & Ice'' (EP) * 2014: ''Give Them What They Want'' (EP) * 2016: ''[[The Diary (J Dilla album)|The Diary]]'' * 2016: ''Back to the Crib'' (Mixtape) * 2017: ''Motor City'' {{col-end}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== Further reading == * {{cite book|author=[[Dan Charnas]]|title=[[Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm]]|year=2022|publisher=MCD Publishers|isbn=978-0-374-13994-0}} * {{cite web|ref=none|last=Russonello|first=Giovanni|date=February 7, 2013|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/ablogsupreme/2013/02/07/171349007/why-j-dilla-may-be-jazzs-latest-great-innovator|title=Why J Dilla May Be Jazz's Latest Great Innovator|website=[[NPR Music]]}}

== External links == {{Wikiquote}}

'''Official sites''' * {{Official website|https://jdillamerch.com/|J Dilla}} – official site * [https://jdillafoundation.org/ J Dilla Foundation]

'''Resources''' * [https://www.discogs.com/artist/J+Dilla J Dilla] / [https://www.discogs.com/artist/Jaylib Jaylib] / [https://www.discogs.com/artist/Slum+Village Slum Village] / [https://www.discogs.com/artist/Ummah,%20The The Ummah] / [https://www.discogs.com/artist/Soulquarians%2C+The The Soulquarians] / [https://www.discogs.com/artist/1st+Down 1st Down] discographies at [[Discogs]] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080701060909/http://www.stonesthrow.com/jdilla/discography.html J Dilla] discography at [[Stones Throw Records]] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SENzTt3ftiU How J Dilla humanized his MPC3000] – Vox Earworm episode on YouTube, December 6, 2017

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dilla, J}} [[Category:J Dilla| ]] [[Category:1974 births]] [[Category:2006 deaths]] [[Category:20th-century American drummers]] [[Category:African-American drummers]] [[Category:African-American male rappers]] [[Category:21st-century American male rappers]] [[Category:Delicious Vinyl artists]] [[Category:MCA Records artists]] [[Category:Drummers from Detroit]] [[Category:Rappers from Detroit]] [[Category:Midwest hip-hop musicians]] [[Category:American hip-hop record producers]] [[Category:Deaths from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura]] [[Category:Deaths from lupus]] [[Category:Underground rappers]] [[Category:Stones Throw Records artists]] [[Category:Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)]] [[Category:20th-century American musicians]] [[Category:African-American record producers]] [[Category:American hip-hop DJs]] [[Category:Pershing High School alumni]] [[Category:People with lupus]] [[Category:Soulquarians members]] [[Category:Slum Village members]] [[Category:20th-century American male musicians]] [[Category:Barely Breaking Even artists]] [[Category:American male drummers]]