'Dilla Time': equal parts biography, musical analysis and cultural history

Dilla died in 2006 of a rare blood disease at the age of just 32, with few except musicians and dedicated hip hop fans aware of the pioneering work he had done. Photo: Handout

J Dilla – aka Jay Dee, aka James Dewitt Yancey – was a pioneering hip-hop producer who never worked on a “hit” record, although his discography includes collaborations with or remixes of songs by greats like D’Angelo, A Tribe Called Quest, the Roots, Common, Busta Rhymes, the Pharcyde and many others.

He died in 2006 of a rare blood disease at the age of just 32, with few except musicians and dedicated hip hop fans aware of the pioneering work he had done.