The Beat Goes On...

R.I.P. Playa....
Man!!!....Over the last couple years mortality has just been staring me in the face. As I was sitting here at work enjoying J Dilla's new "Beat CD" while thinking about going to the wake of someone who was a close friend of my best friend that passed away last week, I get a text message from Rich telling me that J Dilla passed away this morning...surreal. I was JUST listening to this dude's "Donuts" CD for the 1st time...which is not like a traditional beat/instrumental CD and more like a small peak into his genius of how he selects, constructs, and deconstructs those beats that are undeniably bumpin' in their simple intricacies...MAN.....I know that he has been sick [a friend said severe kidney issues] for a couple years now, but the last I heard he was regaining his health. Most people that listen to only "commercial" music don't know that this dude is behind some of the banginest joints by Common, A Tribe Called Quest, D'Angelo, Pharcyde, The Roots...etc. Not to mention that his style has been copied in some shape or form by many of your so-called hot producers of today..God bless the souls of him, his family & friends and all of the people that have lost friends and loved ones recently.