Before the cult status and the ease of internet downloads I used to trade tapes by snail mail with cats I would talk to on Usenet (word to rec.music.hip-hop) just to get material by this amazing new group called Slum Village from Detroit.

We'd heard stories of his battles with kidney problems (even rocking the stage of the Jazz Cafe in a wheelchair) but that doesn't blunt the impact of the news.

Dude was making beats from his hospital bed.

Working both from his home studio and while hospitalized – from a portable sound system including turntable, samplers, and small boxes of vinyl brought in and out from visitors – Dilla continued making music at his usual non-stop pace, circulating beats to MCs, and coming up with the foundation of what would become "Donuts".

No wonder the discography is so crucial.

Such an immense loss.

Stylus - 5:32 PM
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