James Dewitt Yancey, better known by his stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was a record producer and rapper from Detroit, Michigan.

In 2006, at the age of 32, he succumbed to a rare blood condition. At what would prove to be his final show, a homemade t-shirt was worn by a fan with the message “J Dilla Changed My Life”.

This phrase would become synonymous with him, and epitomise the influence he has had through his work.