What can be said about James Dewitt Yancey that hasn’t already been said? The late, great Detroit producer has put out an unparalleled amount of beat tapes, side-projects, and unknown releases you’d only know from being, like, cousins with the guy who designed the backside of the limited edition EP’s that he helped to make so “limited”. After being an avid fan of his for years and years, I still come across new Dilla shit I haven’t ever heard before, even with over 800 of his songs in my iTunes library.

Engaging, unique, different, are all words I’d use to describe the sound of J Dilla. His music transcends genres, eras, time signatures, and minds at the pace few other artists ever reach. I’ve been consumed by his sound ever since I heard the first siren “whirr!!” on Donuts, the last album he released while still on Earth. His life was tragically cut short by a rare blood disease in 2006, days after his 32nd birthday. I was in high school when I heard he died, and unfortunately, that was how I started getting into his music. Crazy how things like that happen, sometimes.

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Bob Marley, one of the first international pop stars hailing from the 3rd world, continues to inspire and generate listeners decades after his time on Earth was tragically cut short. Without him, the musical landscape of North America would be a very different place, and without him, many (white) people might never have known the joy of reggae music. He is truly one of my all-time favourite artists, and though I rarely listen to reggae anymore, he was a huge influence for me when I first started playing the guitar. Though the true legacy of Bob’s message of peace and unity against all oppressors has been needlessly and reprehensibly diluted to a vague message of pro-legalization (seriously, read up on it), the music will never go away.

Here are a couple Bob Marley songs that are particular favourites of mine. Go ahead, give them a listen. Relax, mon, and remember to give thanks and praise to one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century.

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