J Dilla: The Diary review – another side of the late hip-hop legend

(Mass Appeal)The legend of J Dilla is built around his beats. The producer, who died 10 years ago of a rare blood disease, is the object of cult fascination for his production work. But this posthumous release (the legacy of a major label deal with MCA records) sees Dilla trying to reinvent himself as a performer, and showcasing his skills as a rapper. On those terms, the album is OK. Dilla’s flow is pithy but often plain, and its limitations are put into context by a short contribution from S...

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