A J. Dilla documentary has been long over due. But now, it’s (Dilla) time.
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson will serve as executive producer for the upcoming documentary about the late James Dewitt Yancey (aka J Dilla), Dilla Time. Thompson’s media company, Two One Five Entertainment, is partnering with Joseph Patel, Dan Charnas, Cinetic Media, and Scenario Media to develop the documentary, which will be produced in cooperation with the estate of James Dewitt Yancey.
According to a press release, the documentary will be part biography, part musicology, and part musical meditation, featuring insight from some of the most influential and innovative voices of modern music.
“Explaining musical genius is my mission. To be able to tell the world about the musician that had the most influence on me is a dream come true,” says Questlove. “Not just on me, but on an entire generation of musicians that everyone knows and loves. J Dilla was our teacher. And what he taught us was how to feel rhythm in a way we had ever felt before. I’m so honored to be a part of bringing his story to the world through this documentary.”
Dilla’s musical contributions can be heard in compositions of many artists today. Some of those acts include Michael Jackson, Flying Lotus, Kendrick Lamar and jazz musicians Thundercat, Terrace Martin and Robert Glasper. Over the years, he has been revered with titles such as “Coltrane of Hip Hop” and a “modern genius”.
The Dilla Time documentary joins the list of many other stories Two One Five Entertainment is set to produce including Sam Pollard’s The League , The Clotilda, and other scripted programming.