How J Dilla's Donuts Influenced Hip Hop

[@RegalState]

PLEASE NOTE: I know I said J Dilla wasn't really a rapper in my MC episode, what I should've said was J Dilla was predominantly a producer but also a thorough lyricist on certain projects. My apologies. I recently released an ENTIRE episode on his verses as an MC: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHeyh4Suo5WpfZo

[@101iswhatsup]

Thanks for the update. Peace.

[@Ayo.Ajisafe]

Is it difficult to articulate that well? I think you delivered this fantastically.

[@spliffbuddha]

was coming to the comments to say it and you had this pinned, good looks man much respect

[@drizzyt6882]

Great video g, and we’ll corrected🙏🏽 keep up the incredible work

[@ceasarogrant3829]

Dilla could and did sing and was a Ridiculous MC’s

[@RegalState]

This is correct, the shelved MCA records album he MC'ed on had pete rock and madlib producing among others, if I remember correctly. He also MC'ed on several other projects - I think one Slum Village album he rapped on too. However, the amount of records and singles he produced did dwarf the amount of projects he MC'ed on. For the sake of this analysis, I really wanted to focus on the production aspect on what he did - hopefully that came through. Apologies for not covering the MC side as much - maybe I can cover that in the future?

[@themightyd.r.3843]

Ceasaro Grant Exactly man! I was thinking the same thing! A way better MC than a lot of these MC’s out here today! The Jaylib project was one of the best collabs between 2 producers/MC’s ever made! They can’t just disregard that side of Dilla....lol.

[@RegalState]

@@themightyd.r.3843 Definitely Agree as per my comment above - I could even make an entire video on Dilla's MCing side

[@themightyd.r.3843]

Regal State Music It’s all good fam! No disrespect to the video. It was a great breakdown of Dilla, I just feel like sometimes the newer fans of his music don’t realize he was a dope MC as well. It just threw me off when it was said that he didn’t sing or rap....

[@RegalState]

@@themightyd.r.3843 Nah I get that, apologies for that sentence brushing people the wrong way

[@1thoughtfantasy59]

Donuts is a timeless classic, Dilla will live forever

[@RegalState]

100%

[@princeescobar2139]

Honestly as a young 16 y old with a passion for jazz rap and boom bap I'm heartbroken that i never got to at least meet my favorite producer ever

[@modernmichelangelo]

Same bro, I’m a huge fan of Dilla and I wish I could go back in time to meet him.

[@ohianaw]

this was the only hip hop album that actually made me shed a tear. its truly saddening to lose an amazing human being

[@anthonymcmillan8273]

Never realized the production game was THIS TECHNICAL!! I have MAJOR STEPPING UP to do!! I started when I was in my 20s but life got in the way. This is requires massive paying attention, timing and structure!

[@RegalState]

Absolutely, it's not easy at all there's a lot behind the scenes

[@MentalPistol]

It's not that technical. If you approach it like this your shit will be devoid of instrinsic soul.. and soul is the basis of all black music, trust me. J DIlla what he FELT, not studied.

[@jbird1755]

Just to add, J Dilla was a rapper, just listen to Climax. He takes the first verse or thelonious..

[@RegalState]

I have JUST made an entire episode on J Dilla's verses kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHeyh4Suo5WpfZo

[@jbird1755]

@@RegalState sweet man! checking it out right now!

[@keyemup]

Ok trying to be technical but Dilla did what he felt. That’s music... RIP Legend

[@MentalPistol]

yeah being over technical sucks the life and soul out of things.

[@shanttt]

Such a great time to bring this video up to my discord full of musicians that love this groove. They are mainly on SoundCloud. Thank you for giving this history

[@doublehsword6508]

Made me appreciate him even more! What a Legend!

[@finkployd6110]

Another thing that makes Donuts such an amazing record is that he produced most of it in the hospital using an SP-303 and portable record player.

[@RegalState]

Indeed I covered this in my latest Dilla episode here if that might interest you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYCnm5dtfJmdn9E

[@ederrell6032]

According to peanut butter wolf thats not entirely true

[@finkployd6110]

@@ederrell6032 Oh, really? I thought he and Madlib gave Dilla an SP-303, a portable turntable and some 45s for much of Donuts.

[@ederrell6032]

@@finkployd6110 they did, but he said on an interview with prince Paul donuts was already done ..I can post the link to the show it will be a spotify link tho..not sure if you have it

[@ederrell6032]

@@finkployd6110 the show is called 33 1/3 prince Paul is the host

[@harrycrinnion5351]

Really enjoying these videos mate Showing that rapping and hip hop isn’t just people talking quickly abojt girls and money, dilla was one of the best musicians of all time held in the same regard as motsart and batehoven

[@RegalState]

Preach and much love

[@kylepantaleonpanlilio]

This is such a well done video. I’m happy I came across it.

[@RegalState]

My man! Any artists you'd like to see?

[@TaYzhARr]

Regal State Music please do a video on Static/Major please... he’s one of my biggest musical inspirations along with J Dilla. Thank you 😊

[@derrylbrooks6541]

Nice breakdown bro

[@camrnlve]

Thank you 4 This

[@Narokx]

So much game from one vid! Thank you so much for this. Really well studied and explained

[@RegalState]

Thank you! Apologies for the images moving too much, these are toned down in more recent episodes since.

[@Narokx]

@@RegalState no problem! It was a minor thing. And it is fine when used sparingly! Will definitely check the rest of the vids

[@RegalState]

@@Narokx Appreciate it! Any musicians you'd think people would like to see?

[@Narokx]

@@RegalState I did some analysis already for 9th wonder for my breakdown videos, and noticed something I loved. He often chops on the half step count (cutting between the Snare and kick). And also Nujabes, who I noticed used multiple samples in one beat. Any of the 2 would be an amazing! I know very little about them when compared to Dilla

[@RegalState]

@@Narokx Your technical breakdowns are superb, the Dollar Circulate one taught me a lot. Nujabes is already on the list but 9th Wonder definitely needs a mention - I actually just did a *story* video on the Alchemist actually, you might like that one from a non technical perspective

[@cutlersnyder]

I do really enjoy this video. It’s thorough. I’d just like to say, as a producer, I think some of these techniques that demonstrate an interesting take on music theory, aren’t as conscious as it may seem. A lot of producing, even from the perspective of a musician is crafted out of intuition and the use of an ear, not so much as to what would theoretically make sense in regards to the piece.

[@quentinsavage242]

This is exactly what I was looking for, well said but great video overall

[@jaidrius]

Do Madlib next

[@RegalState]

He's deffo on the list bro

[@tomahawkANDscopZ]

Just the name sample to Welcome to the Show shows, When I die -Motherlode. And the way he chops the lyrics, its deliberate.

[@akaallenpain852]

J dilla is the only producer that influenced real musicians all jazz drummers

[@101iswhatsup]

5:49 Reference "Think Twice" from welcome to Detroit and any track from Fantastic vol 1 or 2. He also dabbled with singing and was a notable emcee (he rapped as well). The rest is informative, but honestly, saying he wasn't a vocalist or rapper is a bit short sited. Good essay none the less.

[@RegalState]

Correct, if you check my pinned comment, I made an episode on all of Dilla's rap verses if you want to check that episode out here kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHeyh4Suo5WpfZo

[@prod.vanc3_online]

Nice Video man!

[@RegalState]

Appreciate the love, I have a few Dilla episodes actually, you might find both of the other ones useful too!

[@stephenmarte9929]

1. J dilla 2. Pete rock 3. dj premier 4. Knotts 5. warren g

[@jdillabasement]

Word

[@log1kanobi]

juuuust donuts? the whole discography.

[@vshadez]

don't cry is a sample from the escorts...

[@RegalState]

Yep realised this too, my bad

[@ndujamz]

Personally the best JDilla work was when he was still called JayDee...his stufff from 1995-2000. Neo Soul style. The Rhymes remix, Purple, 1nce again, Didnt Ya Know..etc..

[@RegalState]

Maybe another piece will need to be in the works for sure on this - have you seen my episode on his verses as an MC?

[@gumgumroy1402]

I wonder if he thought of his music in this way when creating or if it was all passion and brilliant creativity.

[@juliorojas4384]

2nd one for sure the technical shit is just for the break down. The video is just a man in awe trying to understand j dilla truth is though J dilla just knew and had the ear and soul of a 1000 year old musician.

[@Shantanu_Bhati]

Just discovered your dope channel

[@RegalState]

My man! Thank you so much, new episodes out soon - anyone you'd like to see?

[@Shantanu_Bhati]

@@RegalState if you can then make a video about tetsuo and youth by lupe fiasco

[@RegalState]

@@Shantanu_Bhati Oh gosh Lupe man, that is gonna need a few videos to go over his discography. About Tetsuo and Youth - Mural, Prisoner 1 & 2, Body of Work, Madonna, They Ressurect were some songs I overplayed back when it came out in 2015 - good times.

[@vickjr98]

The Black Mozart

[@jackrock121]

Dilla was a rapper and fairly underrateted. Besides that great video

[@RegalState]

See pinned comment

[@johnmcleod5488]

Imma do it dee

[@johnreder8167]

The real Dilla magic happens when you forget about Donuts and you start digging into his beat tapes and installments. Donuts is a flex album. Its quite hard to listen to besides track like waves or walkonit. But this just underlines dilla versatility and talent.

[@phinestro]

Best post hominum produced album ever Timeless

[@MrJensRoger]

Can you go in to the asr 10 used by legends

[@DizzyIzzy1717]

Stipped watching when he said “J. Dilla wasnt a rapper” and that he sampled The Temptations for Don’t Cry.. J is the MOST underrated rapper ever and one of the most unique rap styles till this day. And he sampled Smokey Robinson for “Don’t Cry” . Put some respek on his name!

[@RegalState]

See pinned comment

[@anuragkamble1773]

Video would have been better if u would have given his music examples

[@RegalState]

Copyright strikes buddy

[@jackxavier3915]

@@RegalState add some hip hop beats

[@apexone5502]

@@RegalState what about fair use rules?

[@RegalState]

@@apexone5502 Check out my latest Lauryn video. It completely demonetizes

[@kazehamachi566]

I feel dizziness, but the content is good.

[@RegalState]

loool old video where I stopped adding so much movement since then

[@harlanpepper]

I like this, but why does EVERY graphic and text element have to bounce and move around randomly?

[@RegalState]

Yeah sorry this has been changed in the episodes since this

[@aidanmca4177]

Just noticed this video thank you for making it, in my opinion Donuts is possibly the greatest rap album ever I'd say it's the 2nd

[@RegalState]

Madvillainy being the best?

[@aidanmca4177]

@@RegalState yep

[@RegalState]

@@aidanmca4177 Stay tuned ;)

[@stateportSound_wav]

So... what’s the best rap part of Donuts? I don’t understand this statement

[@skyler2762]

this video could see massive improvements by doing two simple things: stop with the constant floating images and text, they gave me a headache. (and reading the comments, others too, apparently) & PLEASE use song clips to illustrate what you're talking about. it does very little good to describe what hes doing musically without actually hearing it. i understand copyright laws are a bitch, but its pointless to dissect music in depth like that without giving an example. I dont wanna sound like a dick (although i probably do), just wanna help you out for your future projects

[@RegalState]

Aha the first point i've toned it down a huge huge amount so definitely agree there and the second one, there are actually episodes on this channel with clips, just you cant see them anymore because they got blocked and had to be replaced

[@skyler2762]

@@RegalState good to hear! still a cool video. i loved how you said his hospital stay culminating in the creation of donuts is the benchmark for passion. i totally agree, and that really stuck out to me

[@RegalState]

@@skyler2762 Yeah I believe my most recent episode on Dilla (another episode on Donuts) covers this topic in much more detail from a symbolic perspective. Please do watch that one and let me know your thoughts in the comments there - furthermore, there is a J Dilla Rap Verse video you to indulge in, in the event you want to learn about his MC verses. Both of these unfortunately do not have any clips like people want, but they do have a much better layout and cohesive visual style on this one. The benchmark for passion is in all of us, we just have to find it and be true to ourselves. I will make a Prince episode one day too, he's someone, like dilla, that I think about when times are tough. It's that unabashed sense of self that you have to channel, regardless of your environment, to really succeed - and by success I don't mean anything material, I mean success by your own sense of self-discovery. Dilla left us content, despite being bedridden, because he accomplished all he wanted and in that, he found what he was looking for right within himself.

[@BgEbro]

@ Regal State Music may I ask what’s being played in the background of this particular video?? Great video btw

[@RegalState]

Thank you bro, if I remember, i'll let you know

[@wids]

You caught an L with 'Johnny' Coltrane

[@GTA4afonso]

j dilla was actually a rapper and singer too

[@RegalState]

See pinned comment

[@lol-zf6fu]

I love this channneeell

[@RegalState]

Haha appreciate the love

[@GrandNoble]

it's so shaky it's hard to focus

[@blacksoul4481]

he had multiple rap albms and a group

[@RegalState]

Yep covered this here kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHeyh4Suo5WpfZo

[@blacksoul4481]

@@RegalState dis vid fire thanks for clearing it up 🖤

[@ichlex8109]

Bro, would of been nice to hear what you were explaining with the actual music.i feel cheated because I watched the whole 14.45 minute video.

[@SoundsbyIvory]

Dilla was already inspirational way before Donuts came out.

[@RegalState]

Yeah see pinned comment for another episode on him

[@bagoftrix]

i appreciate the efford and how deep people are willing to go, but i hear alot over overanalyzing in alot of the videos about his 'techniques'. While in fact most of them products of not using a technique, but a feeling. If you need to explain it in such detail, you might accidentally miss the point, or don't feel what's going on. So if anybody wants to learn what made him special, it's one thing: f' any technique, ruleset or expectation, just hit record and do what feels right. Don't switch of quantize because Dilla did, do it because of WHY he did it. Again not trying to bash, but sometimes the focus gets lost of the whole, while zooming in on the details.

[@maximerobin]

STOP MOVING! :) Good video though!

[@RegalState]

Haha what did you enjoy the most?

[@maximerobin]

​@@RegalState Being a beat maker myself and I work mostly with sampling, I thought the attention about the composition of each sampling pieces was nice. Many don't dwell on that in their Dilla videos. It makes sampling stuff appear like it's a dumb practice. Like you don't need any culture to do it. This explain that. That's why many don't also dwell on the fact both his parents were musicians and music been there all his life.... Anyhow, kudos!

[@RegalState]

@@maximerobin You have to have that attention man, I see people out here wilding just talking about BPM changes and saying boom it's a masterpiece. No, it's a masterpiece because you have to understand who Dilla was, what did he stand for, what could he have learned from those around him. But also it's about production as an art form. I used to be in logic back in the day, just fiddling with plugins, moving the kick a bit back, trying to get that right sounding hi hat, making sure the chord progressions were a certain way. Even sampling, getting the right songs, you don't sample by just being in a singular headspace. Like oh yes I have to go sample coltrane or jazz. It's that mindset he got from his parents, the one that that made him say, hold on let me check that Brazillian Dance, let me check that Iranian track. You know, it's spreading your horizon far beyond what others are doing that makes it seem visionary, but actually you're just curious and willing to push. That was what Dilla stood for.

[@mont-doggBeats]

Dilla was also a rapper he went by JD

[@RegalState]

See pinned comment

[@lesterfalcon1350]

Jonny Coltrane !

[@akbeatz9191]

Very nice video

[@RegalState]

Thank you so much

[@101iswhatsup]

Dilla was a rapper and singer. Sorry to nitpick but Welcome 2 Detroit showcased both.

[@RegalState]

See pinned comment from 2 years ago

[@ytera8130]

Johnny Coltrane? lmao

[@RegalState]

loool old mistake I know broooo

[@bandlsd]

Sorry but you're completely wrong at 5:47 about him not being a vocalist or rapper himself. His production skills were from another planet..but so were his vocals.

[@RegalState]

Please see pinned comment from a few years ago, i've made an entire video correcting this

[@bandlsd]

​@@RegalState ah I ridiculously overlooked that...thanks :)

[@blackjay3771]

And this explanation is the reason J Dilla is by far the greatest hip hop producer of all time. While I appreciate Dr. Dre, Kanye, DJ Premier, and Madlib, none of them could touch Dilla as it pertains to technicality, innovation, and seamless application of musical knowledge. Dilla can’t be touched.

[@designatedpiledriver8216]

Nice video but you are missing some key elements. Like for example you talk about tempo changes and it not being easy to do. Actually it is..... especially with machines like the 303. Also you can’t talk about donuts without talking about MADLIB. Dilla was directly influenced by madlib. He has even gone on record to state this. I dunno why people leave him out of the dilla conversation when he is super important. Without madlib there MAY not have been a donuts.

[@armeezykunzu7763]

Seriously, no examples played here? Not even one?

[@RegalState]

Copyrighted

[@Tumipoetmc]

Who the FUCK is Johnny Coltrane?

[@arsonfire]

Don't cry wasn't a Temptation sample😩😩🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️

[@RegalState]

Yeah that's not the only mistake - I made a follow up to correct my statement on J Dilla's verses too kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHeyh4Suo5WpfZo

[@dasmowilkins]

this is a good video, but you got a lot wrong here 1. dilla didn't make donuts in his hospital bed, he made it at home on a daw, which he then transferred the finished product to the sp to master it. 2. he didn't play the drums live, he used quantization, but he used note quantization to create off-kilter rhythms. it's also not a new technique btw. 3. you're free to have your own interpretations ov what dilla did, but you're making an already unique n legendary beattape seem like some masterpiece on the human condition, which is p weird n pretentious.

[@RegalState]

Yeah this is an old video, you've hit the nail on these items

[@who_what]

whyd you say "johnny coltrane" like you're on nickname basis with him LMAO

[@drasticmeadowsreal]

You should make a video on lil ugly mane. Aka Travis Miller/Shawn Kemp/ bedwetter. Cuz he is an underground legend and one of the best rappers of all time. In my opinion. And he produced almost every one of his songs. He isn’t even in a Label. He self produces his projects

[@RegalState]

Very good idea, he's on the list

[@the_boss45]

Stop shaking the screen damn

[@TheLordcasio]

Jeebus Krispy...stop shaking your titles...I am trying SUPER hard to not throw up. Dramamine please.

[@RegalState]

Lol this was fixed in later videos - just watch the steez video I made for comparison kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3bafHuGbt2dmZY&

[@nicorovertsthesecond9069]

this but hyou give no examples hey

[@steezgawdextraswa6906]

J dilla > Mozart