J Dilla - The Diary (2016)

Dilla’s eclectic, off-kilter beats changed the shape of hip-hop both above and underground, before the Detroit icon’s life was tragically cut short. And while he’s best known for his productions, he recorded raps, too, showcased here on a lost vocal album he started in 2001. With tracks ranging from freaky, Prince-like experiments (“Drive Me Wild”) to cathartic, street-level soul (“F**k the Police”), The Diary presents a vision as thrilling and varied as the career of the man who made it, with production and guest spots from Madlib, Nas, Snoop Dogg, and more.