Rebirth of Detroit

Unlike J Dilla’s beloved instrumental beat tape Donuts, the posthumously released Rebirth of Detroit finds the rapper leading a hard-knocking cast of MCs from the Motor City. Chuck Inglish and Boldy James rhyme over the muddy bassline of “Detroit Madness,” while “Let’s Pray Together” is thick with Dilla’s trademark funky, grubby sound. The more frenetic, electronic side of his catalog is represented, too, courtesy of the stomping “Big Things” and the videogame-influenced “Ride with It.”