James Dewitt Yancey, known professionally as J Dilla, was a pioneering American producer and rapper from Detroit, Michigan. Emerging in the mid-1990s as a member of Slum Village, he co-founded the Soulquarians collective and collaborated with artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Common, and Erykah Badu. Renowned for his innovative, unquantized drum patterns and soulful sampling, Dilla's work on albums such as "Donuts" and "Fantastic, Vol. 2" has left an indelible mark on hip-hop and neo-soul. His influence continues to resonate, inspiring producers and musicians worldwide. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J_Dilla?utm_source=openai))