When I listen to Jay Dilla,
I grow like a placenta.

My style, my prowess grows
with each drum stroke,
with each symphonic note.

The DeeJay’s MPC frees me.
With a little bit of coffee,
I open my eyes wide
to the dignity of each beat.

When I listen to Jay Dilla,
I immerse myself in skips and pauses,
the slow summer time heat beat,
the cold winter time rhymes.

The set, the sample, the single
flowing instrumental
gives me feet to fly on,
gives me streets to stride on,
gives my heart a time stamp,
lets me know I am alive.

When I listen to Jay Dilla,
I forget I’m wearing sweatpants.

 

Jason Wright is the editor and founder of Oddball Magazine. His column appears weekly. His third book, Train of Thought 2: Almost Home is available now at the Oddball Book Store.