The King of Microrhythm
Composer David Bruce analysed J Dilla’s iconic approach to beat making from a rhythmic perspective and how it has influenced a variety of other artists. Bruce also tried his hand at incorporating some of those off-kilter rhythms into his own classical compositions.
Dilla was by no means the inventor of these kinds of styles—and neither he nor his peers would say he was—but it’s testament to his artistry that he took from those before him and did something different to what was around at the time, while he was alive.
This is also a timely reminder to read Dan Charnas’s Dilla Time if you haven’t already.