Jay Dee, also known as J Dilla, was an American record producer and rapper who significantly influenced the sound of hip-hop music. His distinctive production style, characterized by the use of unique samples, complex drum patterns, and a relaxed, often off-beat rhythm, has been highly influential. Born James Dewitt Yancey in Detroit, Michigan, Jay Dee was a member of the innovative music group Slum Village and worked with notable artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and Erykah Badu. His posthumously released album "Donuts" is often cited as a landmark in instrumental hip-hop.