rest in power.

Words can't express how much this brother's music influenced my ears.  The first time it hit me that Dilla was special was on the maxi single to The Pharcyde's "Running Away" back in '95.  Yes, he produced that track, but it was a little known B-side song called "Electric Butterfly" that made me literally stop in my tracks.  Since that day, I was a true fan.  From his work with some of Hip Hop's best, to include A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, E. Badu, Dwele, Slum Village, Dilla literally defined a sound in music and soul that was intangible.  His brilliance in drum programming, mixed with unorthodox timing, creative sampling and composition, all spawned a generation of beat makers (including myself) looking to recreate that sound.  James Yancey will be missed, but his legacy continues to live on.  

Rest in Power.