What made J Dilla a trailblazing producer? In this episode, we pay homage to his life and work, exploring his significance in lo-fi beatmaking and black music production. We also discuss how his style differed from the harder hitting beats of his east coast contemporaries.

Important questions:

• How did J Dilla become a pioneer in lo-fi beatmaking? What made J Dilla's production style unique, and how did he use the MPC to create complex, textured beats with a laid-back, groovy feel?
• How did J Dilla's style differ from the hard-hitting beats that were prevalent in the east coast hip-hop scene during his time? How did this contribute to a more nuanced and intricate sound?
• What was J Dilla's influence on hip-hop and black music production, and how did he help to shape the sound of modern hip-hop and R&B?