In the world of hip-hop production, few names resonate as profoundly as J Dilla. The Detroit-born maestro wasn’t just a beatmaker; he was a sonic architect, painting expansive landscapes with layers of sound.
Jay Dee’s magnum opus, Donuts, stands as a testament to his genius — a posthumous release that’s dense, intricate, and unapologetically soulful. A hallmark of this masterpiece is the eclectic range of samples Dilla expertly wove into the fabric of the album. From vintage soul cuts to obscure sound bites, each sample tells a story, acting as a puzzle piece in the vast tapestry that is Donuts.
As we delve into the intricate layers of this classic, we’ll uncover and celebrate every single sample that contributes to the legacy of an album that remains timeless in its innovation and emotion.
“Donuts (Outro)”
“Not Available” by Shuggie Otis
“Stay with Me” by Gary Davis
Workinonit
“Worst Band in the World” by 10cc
“King of the Beats” by Mantronix
“Six Figures” by Skillz and Ras Kass
“Buffalo Gals” by Malcolm McLaren and The World’s Famous Supreme Team
“The New Style” by The Beastie Boys
“Pee-Wee’s Dance” by Joeski Love
“Sprite: Melonball Bounce” by Raymond Scott
“Yes It’s You” by “Sweet” Charles Sherrell
Waves
“Johnny, Don’t Do It” by 10cc
“King of the Beats” by Mantronix
“Intro” by B.R. Gunna
Light My Fire
“Light My Fire” by Africa
“My Thang” by James Brown
The New
“Whatcha Gonna Wear Tomorrow” by The Detroit Emeralds
“The New Style” by The Beastie Boys
Stop!
“You’re Gonna Need Me” by Dionne Warwick
“Why?” by Jadakiss
“Six Figures” by Skillz and Ras Kass
People
“My People… Hold On” by Eddie Kendricks
“King of the Beats” by Mantronix
“Mujhe Maar Daalo” by Asha Bhosle and Laxmikant-Pyarelal
“Here We Go (Live at the Funhouse)” by Run-D.M.C.
The Diff’rence
“The Fruitman” by Kool & the Gang
“King of the Beats” by Mantronix
“Jungle Boogie” by Kool & the Gang
“Six Figures” by Skillz and Ras Kass
Mash
“Golden Apples Pt. 2” by Galt MacDermot
“Season of the Witch” by Lou Rawls
“Dance Contest” by Frank Zappa
Time: The Donut of the Heart
“All I Do Is Think of You” by The Jackson 5
“Yes It’s You” by “Sweet” Charles Sherrell
“Strangers in the Night” by “Sweet” Charles Sherrell
Glazed
“You Just Can’t Win” by Gene Chandler and Jerry Butler
“Dreams” by Ramsey Lewis
“Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today)” by Edwin Starr
“Season of the Witch” by Lou Rawls
Airworks
“I Don’t Really Care” by L.V. Johnson
“Bendix 1: The Tomorrow People” by Raymond Scott
Lightworks
“Lightworks” by Raymond Scott
“King of the Beats” by Mantronix
“Bendix 1: The Tomorrow People” by Raymond Scott
“Six Figures” by Skillz and Ras Kass
Stepson of the Clapper
“Long Red (Live)” by Mountain
The Twister (Huh, What)
“Kick the Can Part 1” by Fred Frith
“Cloud Nine (Live)” by The Temptations
“His Name Is Mutty Ranks” by A Tribe Called Quest
“Pee-Wee’s Dance” by Joeski Love
“For Once in My Life (Live)” by Stevie Wonder
“Buffalo Gals” by Malcolm McLaren and The World’s Famous Supreme Team
One Eleven
“A Legend in Its Own Time” by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
“Here We Go (Live at the Funhouse)” by Run-D.M.C.
“King Tim III (Personality Jock)” by The Fatback Band
Two Can Win
“Only One Can Win” by The Sylvers
Don’t Cry
“I Can’t Stand (to See You Cry)” by The Escorts
“Comedy Routine: Hey Young Lovers / Cloud Nine / If I Didn’t Care” by The Temptations and George Kirby
Anti-American Graffiti
“Family Tree” by Tin Tin
“Pee-Wee’s Dance” by Joeski Love
“Emergency Program Over-Ride” by David Ossman
Geek Down
“Charlie’s Theme” by The Jimi Entley Sound
“UFO” by ESG
Thunder
“Sweet Misery” by Martha Reeves
“King of the Beats” by Mantronix
“For Once in My Life (Live)” by Stevie Wonder
“Who’s Making Love (Live)” by Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers
“I Can’t Turn You Loose (Live)” by Blinky
“Sing a Simple Song (Live)” by The Originals
Gobstopper
“To the Other Man” by Luther Ingram
“King of the Beats” by Mantronix
One for Ghost
“To the Other Man” by Luther Ingram
“King of the Beats” by Mantronix
Dilla Says Go
“Rubber Bands” by The Trammps
“Do Ya Thing” by B.R. Gunna
“No Games” by Jaylib
“Intro” by B.R. Gunna
Walkinonit
“Walk On By” by The Undisputed Truth
“Six Figures” by Skillz and Ras Kass
The Factory
“Animosity” by Fred Weinberg
“King of the Beats” by Mantronix
“Mean Old Devil” by Bruce Haack
U-Love
“Just Because I Really Love You” by Jerry Butler
“Do Ya Thing” by B.R. Gunna
“Intro” by B.R. Gunna
Hi.
“Maybe” by The Three Degrees
Bye.
“Don’t Say Goodnight (It’s Time for Love) (Parts 1 and 2)” by The Isley Brothers
Last Donut of the Night
“To You with Love” by The Moments
“Rainbow ’65” by Gene Chandler
Welcome to the Show
“When I Die” by Motherlode
“Stay with Me” by Gary Davis
“Not Available” by Shuggie Otis
