New J Dilla biography will explore the life and influence of pioneering producer

A biography exploring the life and career of J Dilla is set to be published.

Dilla Time: The Life And Afterlife Of J Dilla, The Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm will document the life, work and legacy of the influential producer, born James Dewitt Yancey. The 480-page book – which is as much a biography as it is a cultural history – will chronicle the late Detroit pioneer, whose approach to sampling on albums such as 2006’s ‘Donuts’ revolutionized modern hip-hop.

Published by MCD on 1st February, Dilla Time was penned by author Dan Charnas, who interviewed over 150 of the producer’s collaborators, friends and family over four years. Back in 1999, Charnas collaborated with Yancey when the former worked in the record industry.

As well as delving into Yancey’s childhood and upbringing in Detroit, Dilla Time will tell the story of Dilla’s output and towering artistic legacy, as well as his decline and eventual death in 2006 due to a rare blood disease. Accompanying the biography is an extensive cultural history of the music scenes and communities that influenced his music, in addition to passages exploring some of his production approaches and techniques.

Pre-order Dilla Time here.