Big Sean Declares J Dilla the Greatest Producer of All Time

Big Sean has long been an advocate for Detroit’s hip-hop legacy, and in a new tribute, he made a bold declaration: J Dilla is the greatest producer of all time.

A Timeless Legacy

In a promo for a new Shinola watch inspired by the late producer, Sean Don reflected on the impact of his fellow Detroiter. Over cinematic visuals, he described Dilla’s innate musical genius and the way his production transcended time.

“He was born with a gift, a natural rhythm about him,” Sean narrates. “They say he could match pitch-perfect harmony before he even learned how to speak. And for a kid from the eastside growing up in the ’80s, music was like currency.”

Dilla’s ability to manipulate rhythm, time, and soul in his beats has made him a legend in hip-hop production. Sean emphasized this in the promo, saying:

“That’s why J Dilla is one of the greatest producers, if not the greatest, of all time. He was a genius, hands down. He changed music forever.”

The Detroit 2 rapper later took to Instagram to reinforce his admiration, writing: “Rest in power, Dilla. We feel you in every beat.”

Big Sean’s Connection to J Dilla

Sean’s appreciation for Dilla goes beyond words—he’s actively tried to honor the producer’s legacy in his own music. He once revealed that he attempted to get Eminem to rap over an unreleased J Dilla beat for his Detroit 2 album in 2020.

“It reminded me of an old Eminem,” Sean told Essence. “And when I sent it to Em, he was like, ‘Man, I like the Dilla beat, for sure. I get it.’”

Though the collaboration never materialized, it’s clear that Dilla’s influence still resonates with Detroit’s biggest artists.

J Dilla’s Unfinished Business with Eminem

Interestingly, Eminem’s history with Dilla dates back much further. D12’s Denaun Porter previously revealed that A Tribe Called Quest’s Beats, Rhymes & Life cut “Get a Hold” originally belonged to Slim Shady.

“Em had that beat before Tribe and them had it,” Porter told Paul Rosenberg on Paul Pod in 2022. “Proof gave it to him. It was like, ‘Yo, I gotta get some Dilla beats.’”

However, at the time, Eminem was still on the come-up and didn’t have the money to buy the beat outright.

“Proof told Jay Dee, ‘Yo, Em wants this beat,’” Porter recalled. “And it might have been another beat too. But that song… when we heard it on the Tribe album, we were like, ‘Aww man!’ But it’s A Tribe Called Quest — what you gonna say?”

Dilla’s Eternal Influence

J Dilla’s influence continues to grow even years after his passing. From street renamings in Detroit to posthumous tributes from hip-hop heavyweights like Common and Questlove, his impact remains undeniable. Big Sean’s recent praise is just another reminder that Dilla’s music is truly timeless.

Whether or not he’s the greatest producer ever is a debate for the ages, but one thing is clear: J Dilla’s beats still move the world.