Questlove to executive produce new J Dilla Documentary

Questlove has been tapped to executive produce a new feature documentary about J Dilla.

‘Dilla Time’is adapted from author Dan Charnas’s recent biography ‘Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, The Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm’ and will be made in cooperation with the late Dilla’s estate, according to a press release. The film will be part biography, part musicology, and part musical meditation”.

“Explaining musical genius is my mission. To be able to tell the world about the musician that had the most influence on me is a dream come true,” Questlove said in a statement. 

‘Dilla Time’ will be co-directed by ‘Summer of Soul’ producer Joseph Patel and Darby Wheeler.

In March, Questlove won the Best Original Documentary Oscar at the 94th Academy Awards for ‘Summer Of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)’ – his directorial debut. Winning out over films including ‘Attica’ and ‘Writing with Fire’, ‘Summer of Soul’ centers on the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which celebrated African American music and culture, and promoted Black pride and unity.

The Roots drummer was also named winner in the Best Music Film category for the same film at the Grammy Awards in April, seeing off competition from films by or about Billie Eilish, David Byrne and others to win the award.

Earlier this year, Marke Bieschke talked to Dan Charnas for DJ Mag. Read the piece here.