Busta Rhymes revisits J Dilla’s unfinished business on new LP
Nearly two decades after the passing of producer J Dilla, Busta Rhymes is finally opening the vault, releasing Dillagence 2 on August 25th. This monumental project is more than just an album; it is a deep dive into the rich, soulful sound of Dilla, built entirely from the dozens of beats the legendary producer sent Rhymes over the years.
The concept of Dillagence 2 is a sequel to the original Dillagence mixtape from 2007, but this time Busta Rhymes ventured much further into an archive he had spent years exploring. Over the past twenty years, Rhymes generally incorporated only a handful of Dilla productions into his work, making this new project a significant endeavor. To ensure the music and its legacy were handled with the utmost care, Rhymes began assembling the project in November 2025, working closely with Dilla’s estate and his mother, Ma Dukes.
The process itself was deeply inspiring. Rhymes found that the rhythm of Dilla—what became known as “Dilla Time”—resonated perfectly with his own rhythmic instincts. Rather than trying to force the music, he absorbed the human quality of the beats. He noted that Dilla’s mastery lay in understanding that the soulfulness of music comes from human timing, recognizing that perfect timing is rarely absolute.
This artistic connection also shifted Rhymes’ approach to his signature technical tricks. He admitted that he never attempted to use speed rap over a Dilla beat, finding that the inherent rhythm already carried the necessary energy. This emphasis on organic flow demonstrates a deeper respect for the source material than ever before.
Dillagence 2 features stellar collaborations, including Common, Big Sean, and Lil Wayne, marking a significant moment for the latter two artists who appear over Dilla’s distinctive sound. The album also includes previously unreleased vocals from D’Angelo, recorded more than two decades ago for a track that was never completed. Rhymes expressed a desire to honor these figures by delivering their parts with responsibility.
The relationship with Dilla, the producer, extended beyond the music. Rhymes described Dilla as a man who was deeply creative and infectious, someone who lived constantly in a creative space. This infectious energy inspired Rhymes to challenge himself to marry Dilla’s music into a form that felt as perfect as possible.
While the emotional reality of working with artists who are no longer present is profound, Rhymes separates that experience from the creative work itself. He acknowledged that the true impact lies in the long-term friendships and the sense of loss, but the creative pursuit remained pure. Looking forward, Rhymes remains keenly interested in the artistic lineage, acknowledging his place among influential figures like Ludacris, Missy Elliott, Kendrick Lamar, and Doechii, seeing himself as part of a much larger story.
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