Dilla Time

Dilla Time: Illuminating the Unexplainable Genius of J Dilla

Dan Charnas’ audiobook, Dilla Time, is a comprehensive look into the life and legacy of James DeWitt Yancey, better known as J Dilla, one of the most innovative producers in the history of popular music. J Dilla’s work transformed the sound of music for the 21st century, influencing and inspiring musicians and artists across a range of genres. The audiobook, narrated by the author himself, features J Dilla’s music performed by drummer Nate Smith and is accompanied by a bonus PDF of maps, photos, guides, and more.

Dilla Time is a must-read for anyone interested in the idea of unexplainable genius, as Questlove puts it. J Dilla wasn’t a mainstream artist, but his influence is undeniable. He worked with renowned acts like D’Angelo and Erykah Badu and influenced the music of superstars like Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. He died at the young age of 32, never having a pop hit in his lifetime. However, since his death, J Dilla has become a demigod, revered by jazz musicians and rap icons from Robert Glasper to Kendrick Lamar, memorialized in symphonies and taught at universities. At the core of this adulation is innovation: a new kind of musical time-feel that he created on a drum machine, but one that changed the way “traditional” musicians play.

Dan Charnas chronicles the life of J Dilla, from his childhood in Detroit to his rise as a Grammy-nominated hip-hop producer, to the rare blood disease that caused his premature death, and follows the people who kept him and his ideas alive. Charnas rewinds the histories of American rhythms: from the birth of soul in Dilla’s own “Motown,” to funk, techno, and disco. Here, music is a story of Black culture in America and of what happens when human and machine times are synthesized into something new. Dilla Time is a different kind of book about music, a visual experience with graphics that build those concepts step by step for fans and novices alike, teaching us to “see” and feel rhythm in a unique and enjoyable way.

J Dilla’s beats were often misunderstood, with some people interpreting their seeming “sloppiness” as a lack of attention to detail. However, Dilla was a perfectionist, almost spiritually devoted to his music. Dilla Time tells the story of the man and his machines, his family, friends, partners, and celebrity collaborators. The audiobook is based on more than 150 interviews about one of the most important and influential musical figures of the past hundred years, making it as delightfully detail-oriented and unique as J Dilla’s music itself.

Charnas’ writing style is engaging and informative, making it accessible to anyone interested in the life and legacy of J Dilla. The audiobook format is a great way to experience the book, as it includes musical performances by Nate Smith that illustrate the concepts discussed in the book. The bonus PDF of maps, photos, guides, and more is a great addition that adds to the experience of reading the book. The combination of Charnas’ writing, Smith’s performances, and the bonus PDF make Dilla Time an immersive experience that brings J Dilla’s music and legacy to life.

In conclusion, Dilla Time is a must-read for anyone interested in the life and legacy of J Dilla. Dan Charnas’ writing is engaging and informative, making it accessible to fans and novices alike. The audiobook format, with musical performances by Nate Smith, is a great way to experience the book. The bonus PDF of maps, photos,