Beats & Rhymes: Year In Review 2009 at Exclaim!

I penned a writeup of J Dilla’s Jay Stay Paid over at Exclaim for their annual year-end best of list. I’m not at liberty to reveal the album’s placement, click that excerpt below to read the whole list!

The second posthumous release by the late Detroit producer, the mostly instrumental Jay Stay Paid was constructed from J Dilla's unreleased beat tapes. Excellent features by the likes of Raekwon, MF Doom and Phat Kat break up the instrumentals, but the beats are the main attraction. Encompassing Dilla's love for Detroit techno, airy soul samples and vintage electronics, the album showcases James Yancey's stunning versatility, consistency and innovation as a producer. Jay Stay Paid is a worthy crowning ceremony for the king of beats.