Breaking Down “Dynamite!” by The Roots | J Dilla Production

"Dynamite" by The Roots is a musical time capsule in a lot of ways. Let's break down the beat, the sample, and trace it all the way back through over 100 years of music history, sampling, and changing technology.
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► TO DOWNLOAD THIS BEAT RECREATION FOR FREE - GO TO www.diggingthegreats.com
► Check out Guitarist Jamey Arent's KZbin Channel: / jameyarent
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SOURCES
►Black Thought Interview • Black Thought Tells an...
►"Music is History" by Questlove amzn.to/3TZnjKg
► About the song "Indiana" en.wikipedia.o...
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► Follow me on Instagram: bit.ly/3KJmbG0
► Follow me on TikTok: bit.ly/3uJc12q
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TOPICS COVERED
The Roots
Dynamite
Breakdown
Beat Breakdown
Recreation
Things Fall Apart
Soulquarians
Questlove
Black Thought
J Dilla
Production
Drums
Music History
Hip Hop
Zoot Sims
Bucky Pizzarelli
Indiana
Along the Banks of the Wabash
Back Home Again in Indiana
Jazz
Sample
#theroots
#musichistory
#hiphop

[@MartGordon]

Gotta love that mic drop moment "I played bass in Nas's band". So good. Thanks for all the deep dives into hip hop, this channel is gold.

[@wardellmobley]

As some one that grew up loving both Jazz and Hip-hop. I never understood people who thought sampling was some how different from what has always happened in music. This video perfectly explains what I've been struggling to explain to people for the last 25 years. Thank You for this. Now I can just send them here.

[@diggingthegreats]

Perfect 🔥🔥

[@Kelvin71]

Exactly! Jazz musicians quote phrases all the time. Sampling as a means of improvisation is part of that tradition.

[@CRneu]

hating on sampling is weird. Are artists supposed to simply not play or build on other music they enjoy? Apply that logic to engineering...and...it makes absolutely zero sense. If I'm building something and someone else has done it better of COURSE i'm going to use their idea. That's called development.

[@NautilusGuitars]

I totally agree and I've been trying to get this across to old farts for a long time. "Sampling" has been in integral part of music since its inception, and is especially prevalent in jazz. The only contention they have that I think is valid, is that learning how to play all the chords/notes/drums on time on in imperfect instrument and do it with the right feel is infinitely more difficult than using a sampler. And when people act like they take equal physical talent, it just demerits any valid point made up until that. But difficulty isn't what makes "good". They're all perfectly valid artistic mediums with their own history and purpose, and hip-hop production requires something deeper that many musicians don't have. But guys like Dilla, The Roots, and any of the Soulquarians bridged that gap. I love that jazz groups have so much Hip-Hop influence today, and I think it's almost entirely due to those groups.

[@Sofa_King-WeToddEd]

Every video I watch from you simply blows me away. Love to hear everything Dilla is involved with. And you're Nas's bassist? Much props! Wish you all the best, much love from Belgium.

[@DeeJayElliotNess]

My dude ! It seems like we read the same books, and I initially approached your channel arrogantly thinking " I know all this already". But I absolutely love how you find random (or not) connections all throughout music history. Fantastic content! Thank you for your work and keep it up.

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you 🙏

[@minibain81]

Any book recommendations for us out of the loop?

[@DeeJayElliotNess]

​@@minibain81 I absolutely love the 3 books Brandon displays on his shelf in this video : - Dilla Time by Dan Charnas, an incredible in-depth look into the life and work of J Dilla. Part biography/part musicology. - Mo' Metta Blues by Queslove, a very insightful look into his life in music. So many cool stories ! - Music is History by Questlove, where he looks into the music history of the last 50 years and connects everything to social aspects, culture and politics.

[@DeeJayElliotNess]

I'd also like to highlight what is probably the greatest and deepest account of Hip Hop history : Can't Stop Won't Stop, a history of the Hip-Hop generation, by Jeff Chang (fantastic author/journalist).

[@SiddallK]

I just discovered your channel and as a DJ/producer/music lover, I am really enjoying your work. Keep it going!

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you! Many more videos to come!

[@CursiveHaze]

It’s hard to find someone who is very clearly speaking from an informed perspective, rooted in the love of the game This channel has been my favorite new find Thank you for what you do

[@no1noseme96]

Same here, stoked to go through all the videos

[@robbiedubbelman3024]

As a historian+musician who samples this is right up my Tin Pan Alley 😊. Love this channel, so much enthusiasm combined with expertise. In the case of J Dilla "old timey guys" can ESPECIALLY stfu, because he knew how to play keys and upright bass as well. On top of that Dilla changed how musical virtuosos like D'Angelo, Questlove and Robert Glasper play their instruments... 🤫

[@JorgeGomez-ml4qu]

Found this channel a week ago and the only downside is I've seen all the videos already, guess I'll have to watch them again. Keep the amazing content!! You're killing it!!

[@diggingthegreats]

Hahaha thank you 🙏 getting them out as fast as I can!

[@bouvierstreetbeats4052]

I just have to say that you're knowledge of music, in multiple genres, and your ability to create, recreate, and weave these complex musical connections together, is simply phenomenal!! And, last but not least, your humor is on point!! Deeply entertaining and informative, you will easily have millions of followers, in a short period of time. Thank you for all that you do fam, you are appreciated!!

[@ScottThePisces]

I discovered the other day that Scott Storch was originally a member of the Roots, would be really cool for you to do some breakdowns of his productions! Although they're not super sample based

[@diggingthegreats]

Yep, he’s a crucial member. I’ll have to see what I can do!

[@charliebirdnba]

Did you know that Ben Kenney, bassist for the band Incubus, was also the bassist at some point for The Roots?

[@DeeJayElliotNess]

I saw an interview recently where Storch himself referenced the 3 sounds he (helped) created. Firstly neo-soul, as a member of The Roots. Then the iconic orchestral Dr Dre sound with keys and strings in the Chronic 2001 era. And finally his middle-eastern synth vibe that he developed and used all over his great run of club hits around '04, '05 (Lean back, Candy Shop, etc). Lots of fun stuff to breakdown indeed ! :)

[@joeyblack7623]

Was instantly hooked up with « you got me » and when i found the album in my cousin’s cd collection, Dynamite first hearing was mind blowing. Thank you cousin 😊

[@nerdcoke4574]

absolutely no nonsense with you. always keeping a technical grasp of the subject in your hand & never discarding the intuition that created it. I can tell you really love the music

[@DavySolaris]

You are so fucking good at what you do, dude. And you've impeccable music taste!

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you 🙏

[@aciavarella]

You are bloody good at this. Animated without being obnoxious or fake.

[@alexdebling1564]

I haven't been listening to Hip Hop much over the past few years, but finding your channel has got me really excited about listening through my older records again and discovering some classics that, for whatever reason, I slept on in the past. Keep it up man! Your love and enthusiasm for this music is contagious :)

[@liquidswords9540]

Only just found this channel and the levels of presentation and research are already insane let alone the added actual recreations of the music as the vid goes along, one of the best music channels I’ve seen

[@yogevlevy2043]

Wow, I never saw a new channel grow that fast, as you definitely deserve it. Your content is so informative, the editing is top notch, and it just SO FUN to watch. Video idea- maybe you can analyze Erykah Badu’s Green Eyes, I’m sure there’s A LOT to talk about in that song.

[@UcheOG]

Woooh! Green eyes. I read a comment once on the OkayPlayer forum (back in the monocle/old-timey days 😅) that Erykah Badu could never do wrong in her life, because she had "Green Eyes" to balance it out. I 100% agree. The greatest song made in so far, this century.

[@hakancarlsson2881]

Found your channel a week ago. I never really listened to hiphop, funk or soul being a metal guy from Sweden myself.... But your content is amazing man! I love going down a rabbit hole when someone has a true passion *and* can present it this good! 👍 This all gives me such insight and respect for the art man! Thank you! 🙏

[@Juanakas57]

I appreciate this channel brother. As someone who studied music and fell in love with it especially because of people like Dilla, its refreshing to see stuff like this on youtube. I miss making music as a means of survival during college and I have not figured out how to incorporate that into my life postgrad. You inspired me to pick up a sampler and find a way to bring this love back into my life, and earned my sub!! This is the best music appreciation channel I have ever seen

[@mindalteringfx316]

Dope to hear you played in Nas’ band. We need you to tell your own storied history. Excellent content as always.

[@saturnsorion]

this is crazy i was just learning this on guitar 5 minutes before u uploaded 😵‍💫

[@diggingthegreats]

Such a great guitar part!

[@frederick98]

These sampling stories really interesting. Keep up!

[@musamusashi]

One more great piece of music history. And i am happy for you that you are a part of it, by performing with one of the greatest hip hop artists ever.

[@cmooreHD]

Why is this channel one of the best I found randomly this year!? Love from Toronto.

[@KennyFrierson]

this song and this video is dynamite

[@dougsmith6357]

You really really should have millions of subscribers and be paid your dues. I'm fighting the urge to binge all the videos

[@jennyneon]

The Roots have influenced music a lot, the way that Questlove experienced that “loose drum” sound with Black Thought rapping is amazing. Their discography is amazing.

[@monz7951]

Agreed and I think they've always been criminally underrated

[@sinceninetyeightysixgustof8122]

love this as I've gotten older I love learning the behind the scenes mechanics of the industry and love finding out the samples of songs and hearing the original the sample was derived from it has opened me up to so much amazing music

[@101iswhatsup]

Ooooh! "Every...body.../touch this illapif' dynamite" one of my favorite tracks off "when things fall apart". Slightly, my eyes are green,...cause I eat a lot of vegetables lol. Double joke, I don't eat enough of em. I'm glad to be in a time and place where being a music nerd including appreciating the art of sampling gets love. Salute bro, thanks for the channel and sharing the love and knowledge of music/sampling/influence..music. (long winded, but very appreciated work.)

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you! I appreciate the support! Having so much fun 🔥

[@THERCWRSHOW]

Dude, I just came on board your channel in late October of this year and I’m glad I came across you. Love the way you break things down without it ever being boring and you cover great tunes and eras that’s near and dear to my heart, especially on Dilla. Keep on rocking my man!

[@mrsoshadabaadman]

This album was passed around in my circle of high-school in South Africa in the year 2000. Me reciting the Next Movement got me a date while walking home from a strip mall. This album touches me.. Nothin New was the reason why my tape deck got jammed up.

[@sambarrand7884]

Dude your knowledge on hip hop & sampling as a whole is flabbergasting! Love the content man, keep it up!

[@ManuelPerez-tp6re]

As a guitarist, I’ve been obsessed with this song. I’ve wanted to learn that crazy ass jazzy guitar riff for a long time. Had no idea what the sample was and I’m not good enough to figure it out by ear lol. This video is awesome

[@shawncharles6077]

So happy I subscribed to this channel. Salute. Great video.

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you!

[@shawncharles6077]

@@diggingthegreats no thank you. I use to hang around a lot of other producers and we’d have these pow wows on music. Unfortunately a lot of them gave up 😔🤷🏾‍♂️ but like I said I’m happy I subscribed. I love learning and I love creating. Excellent content.

[@federicovicente8116]

You are a musical encyclopedia. Thanks to your channel I'm discovering music or rediscovering bands and artists of which I heard very little, like D'Angelo or SugarHill. Greetings from Argentina.

[@jeffreed2160]

I love your channel. You give great insight to a whole world of music. The origins, the composer, and little tid bid facts of unknown music related details make you the best in the business. Plus you handled the bass like an expensive glass of yak! Great job bro!

[@WuntaykTimmy1]

I need you to know these videos mean so much to me. And all of us honestly. YOU DESERVE THE VIEWS.

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you! Your comment means a lot to me!

[@WuntaykTimmy1]

@@diggingthegreats I'm literally listen to voodoo right NOW!! And watching your vids 🍃And vibes.

[@thechucksmitty]

I just discovered this channel a couple of weeks ago. It’s quickly jumped to being one of my favorite channels. Thank you!

[@blackamus]

This is the best channel that YT has recommended to me.

[@musicenlightened2055]

Appreciate these breakdowns video shows that Dilla was breaking boundaries with the MPC. Shows how skilled he was.

[@justinjordan67]

Incredible content. Amazing editing. Long love the legacy of J Dilla.

[@Collin1313]

I’m so glad I found your channel! Such a vibe and well spoken. Cheers brother

[@leonardopierini00]

this channel is a gem

[@Nealatosis]

So glad to find this channel. Would love to hear more about your personal music journey going forward as well

[@stokedtogetmellow]

Damn. I hope Quest is watching your videos! Incredible again. Cheers!

[@no1noseme96]

Your oldest video is 6 months old? WHAT?! Holy shit you're knocking it out of the park this early into the channel

[@saxyrep1]

"Played bass in Nas' band". Man, that's a sentence I'd be so proud of saying truthfully that I'd never stop. I'd be flexin' all the time. Anyway, respect ! 😉👍🏿

[@ICYMIKE]

As a band nerd, history nerd, manager of Truck North, fan of the Indy 500, this is really dope to see full circle. How, Down by the Wabash became a Hip Hop Classic. Because, in your universe my star is the most radiant, in my Indiana home.

[@apolloc.vermouth5672]

A fascinating and eloquent case for sampling as art form and how it interacts with 'real' musicianship. Subscribed!

[@jodywhite1971]

Great stuff. Your angle that hip hop has viable musical history is deeply and successfully argued. And you’re the best I’ve heard to pay it out. Many do so, and they aren’t well-spoken, they don’t come loaded with facts, and they’ll bring a chip on their shoulder…which makes people not want to listen. But here you are! Thank God!

[@TheAnthraxBiology]

The content of this video was sick man I don't know how you don't have more subscribers

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you! It’s growing, you’re ahead of the curve haha

[@kingzj0659]

I just found your channel a month ago and now you have a lifetime subscriber when I first found your channel I thought I was late to the party because of the millions of followers ahead of me but to find out that I am early into your big success brings Joy . It shocks me that you put all this effort and hard work into this channel by yourself I fully support your channel and will be here until it's gone

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you so much! Congrats on being ahead of the curve 😂

[@AdamMundok]

Awesome episode and Channel! Thanks for making it ✨🫶🏼🙌🏽🎛🎚🎶

[@ogami1972]

Dang. I haven't heard that track in quite a while, but just the first few notes of that sample, and I'm back in my old caddy, rolling through Austin, feeling fine. Those were such good days, such an amazing soundtrack to my late 20's

[@kylebrown3709]

Dude.. how don’t you have millions of followers yet.. your the ultimate crate of music digging.. love your videos

[@quamifilms]

This is brilliant! Keep it up!

[@cesarbaca5297]

Glad how you support sampling. I try myself to chop and rearrange. But sometimes a funky loop is undeniable

[@torocruz1192]

Love this dude approach. Keep up the great work👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@MasqueradeAngel777]

Another amazing video, been obsessed with these as of lately. Keep up the great Work!

[@MarcoGarcia-re3mk]

Just fell in love with this channel . Thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️

[@noahbeckett8471]

Man, I gotta know how this guy does his research! I love this music and I love this content!

[@austingavent]

My man going for the title of Internet’s busiest music nerd

[@tonytonytony2620]

You are a true historian of music. You belong on T.V. with this...🤩

[@wippasnippa9420]

😂nice job🎉 Didn’t think about a song off roots album has many timeline references. Adding another perspective to this Hip Hop Culture. Well done 👍

[@embaubaatelier]

That was so amazing, wonder if Dilla and Questlove and everybody else knew this old time connection when they made that song.

[@corneliushenderson6194]

This is my new favorite channel.

[@rashiyd]

My favorite channel right now

[@Rangomania69]

awesome man you deserve an award for this work !!

[@ScorpioIsland]

All your content is fucking fantastic, but this takes the cake. I wish this could be shown to every lawmaker in the land

[@ScorpioIsland]

OK, holy shit. Jaw on floor. The end somehow even more amazing. Wtf

[@claypunk7718]

This is a masterpiece of an essay

[@barrytheartist.]

Incredible video for a truly great song… all of this is so cool and thank you bringing out this knowledge more 🤞

[@outthereindustries7413]

Awesome bro, thanks for producing such great content, like you say, "makes the whole thing even richer"

[@Maya-uj6fm]

this was such a great video, I’ve been obsessed with this song for a while and learning the history behind it was so cool also the reveal at the end 🤯

[@swannykiid]

Man. As respectfully as possible I cannot get over the fact you remind me of Valterri Bottas (F1 driver) and Tony Soprano simultaneously 🤣. Just discovered your channel man I absolutely love it

[@cornerstore_d]

I missed my other life as a dj. Love this shit. Big up. You know I had to listen to dynamite after this

[@bingus6050]

man! I thought you were cool BEFORE I knew you played in Nas's band, now you're even cooler!! Keep it up man love these videos

[@matttatts]

Awesome!! Love the depth of history.

[@djtreyb3835]

Seriously brother your videos are so good informative insightful, well-built keep up the great work

[@AnecDope_official]

Phenomenal research, storytelling and editing. Love your work sir! 🙌

[@ArchangelsBeats]

Love all of this!

[@sabe11a39]

This channel is awesome! As a guitar player, turntablism and sampling are like magic to me

[@papepcool]

Best live hip[hop yet.

[@craig7810]

I absolutely loved this video. I'm so glad that the KZbin god's lead me to your channel

[@dreddiknight]

Coming with the knowledge! 👍🏿

[@RoneySmithseedoflife]

This is a great video and the history behind the sample is indeed mind blowing! Thanks 🙏🏾 for sharing this! ⭐️🎧🎤🎼🎵🎯🔥🎉

[@waltbcouncil4786]

Great rundown. Dilla was a beast.

[@clementinelives]

literally never misses

[@diggingthegreats]

🙏🙏

[@P3ap9]

Great stuff, my dude! Been bumping this album since high school and it's still great

[@riminissi]

as a NYC resident, it gave me chills to realize Tin Pan Alley and Electric Lady is only less than 20 blocks apart! This is such well constructed video essay!! It will most likely become a slow-burner 1+ million view video

[@mfasiscrackbeats3543]

easily my favorite track off the album, great episode!

[@sessionvictim]

Thanks for these videos! So well done! The music you are shining a light on is what got us into digging for records ever since! Keep it up ❤🎶

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you so much for the support!

[@ByDobson]

might be my fav song off Things Fall Apart

[@BlvckjvckRecordings]

This gave me a new appreciation for sampling.

[@myfirstseven8316]

You are sofa king good, man. Love this music so much and your videos just deepen that love by miles. Thank you!

[@BR4D_A]

Well done, man. I knew most of this and thoroughly enjoyed it. Fellow bass player props

[@Martydoessykes]

This video is crazy asf 😭😭😭

[@yvesfrancoisritmo]

YES!! I am a jazz and world music musician you may or may not know, I have a great love for hip hop Soul and Funk as well as Runba Samba Salsa Biguine Blues and of course my greatest love if all jazz. When I hear a good rapper I hear the same thing a good jazz horn player taking a solo. And the grooves and the Rhythm sections whether we're talking about 1920s Jazz, Swing Bebop in the 40s and 50s Hard jazz James Brown's backing band Funk like Mandrill up to hip hop into the present day it's all the same soup bone (also Willie Colon Johnny Pacheco, Tito Puente, Franco OK Jazz, Le Grand Kalle Bobby Benson Fela and Orchedtre Baobob . I dig what you're doing here

[@MIXPRO68]

love this channel-appreciate the breakdown of such hip hop classics.

[@User37277]

Mate your breakdowns/history/musicality/ear/taste (I can go on.. ) are absolutely top notch. A must watch everytime you put out a video, absolute hats off to you, this video is absolutely insane please keep doing great work and I'll keep supporting, I would even send you some coin for this kinda material as you clearly put so much effort and thought into it. Big love from Sydney

[@LennyPrice]

This is brilliant! Knowledge is power, Bruh! 🎧