How J Dilla changed sampling forever: The man and the machine

While there have been countless innovators throughout history who have each shaped the world of sampling in their own way, few have made a more profound impact than J Dilla.

Even after his passing, his creative techniques and soulful beats have continued to influence rising producers, generation after generation. In the video above, we explore J Dilla’s immeasurable musical impact over the span of four chapters: the soul, the voice, the groove, and the legacy. Join us as we uncover how the legendary producer embraced both technology and emotion to change sampling forever.

All that said, this is ultimately just an introductory look into his artistry; if you’d like to dive even deeper into J Dilla’s legacy and sound, be sure to also check out our interviews with other musicians who worked alongside him, our Around the World with Jay Dee series, and The Fantastic Sounds of Jay Dee (a.k.a. J Dilla) sample pack.

What are your favorite productions from J Dilla? Who would you like to see us cover in this style next? Let us know in the comments section of the video, and subscribe to the Splice YouTube channel for more.


Incorporate the fantastic sounds of Jay Dee (a.k.a. J Dilla) into your own productions:

March 5, 2022

Harrison Shimazu

Harrison Shimazu is a composer, content strategist, and writer who’s passionate about democratizing music creation and education. He leads the Splice blog and produces vocaloid music as Namaboku.