I discovered the music of J Dilla (aka James Dewitt Yancey or Jay Dee) by going backwards. I'm a big fan of the band Phantogram, and when they mentioned their sound uses 'J Dilla beats' I looked back on his extensive back catalog and found his influence everywhere. He's one of hip hop’s most influential producers and artists, but his career was cut short at just 32 after battling the incurable blood disease, lupus. I've chosen one he produced, one of his own, and one that was a homage. As Erykah Badu says in the last track "This one's for Dilla"…