PositiveThe New York Times Book Review... a 400-page biography out Feb. 1 that thoroughly examines the hip-hop producer’s unique approach ... Over the years, there has been almost a deification of Dilla; Charnas’s book takes great efforts to humanize him. Though he is sympathetic to his subject’s struggles—particularly his misfortunes as an artist in the major label system and his deteriorating health—Charnas does not shy away from describing his imperfections ... One of the foundational Dilla myths is how he arrived at his signature sound, in which the rhythm can feel off, different or just wrong. Some have said it was a failure to quantize his compositions, a feature in digital recording that eliminates human error and puts the timing of drum beats in their \'correct\' place. Charnas explains that Dilla’s process was more complex and that he took multiple steps to purposefully accentuate the sonic effects of error ... Charnas also clarifies the story around Donuts, an instrumental album that Stones Throw Records released right before Dilla’s death that has become a key entry point for new generations of fans.
