Crash Course Playlist

If you are a fan of the 90’s hip-hop scene, then you’ve listened to J Dilla, even if you’ve never heard of him. Born in Detroit, James Dewitt Yancey, or better known as J Dilla, was one of hip-hop’s most influential artists as both a rapper and producer. While his beats are undoubtedly masterly crafted, with their notorious “old-school” style, his acts and collaborations are notably acclaimed. While also being one-third of Slum Village, Dilla has worked for artists including A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, Common, the Roots, Busta Rhymes, and Q-Tip. By infusing his sound with jazz influences, the “soulquarian” Dilla created fluid, soft tracks that contrasted the rigidity of “hard” beats. After releasing Slum Village’s breakthrough album Fantastic Vol.2 in 2000, Dilla worked on Erykah Badu’s Mama’s Gun and D’Angelo’s Voodoo, cementing and spreading this new sound of neo-soul. By blending soulful vocals, funky rhythms, and jazz melodies, Dilla created music that you could relax to but also dance to at the same time. So with this background knowledge, turn up your volume and enjoy this curated collection of Dilla’s greatest hits and collaborations.