As part of the 2023 Michigan Notable Book Tour, Dan Charnas, author of “Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm,” will speak at Rochester Christian University on Thursday, April 20, at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium.
Described as equal parts musicology, biography and cultural history, “Dilla Time” chronicles the invention of a new kind of beat by Detroit’s own J Dilla, a record producer, drummer, rapper and songwriter. He is considered one of the most influential producers in hip hop and popular music.
“Dilla Time” is the product of four years of research and nearly 200 interviews by Charnas, a bestselling author, award-winning music and business journalist, producer of records and television, and professor. Recipient of both a PEN Literary Award and a Pulitzer Fellowship for Arts Journalism, Charnas is the author of four books; was the co-creator and executive producer of the VH1 TV series ”The Breaks;” and is an associate arts professor at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at New York University.
In addition to being named a Michigan Notable Book, “Dilla Time” is a New York Times bestseller, won the 2023 Pen/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography and made 2022 “Best” lists for Rolling Stone, New York Times, Financial Times, Pitchfork, Vulture, Spin, HipHopDX, Esquire and Variety.
The Michigan Notable Book list features 20 books that are about or set in Michigan, or written by a Michigan author. Selections include a variety of genres, both fiction and nonfiction, that appeal to many audiences and explore topics and issues close to the hearts of Michigan residents
The event is free and open to the public. To reserve your seat, click here. Rochester Christian University is located at 800 W. Avon Road in Rochester Hills, Michigan. For more information, contact Allison Jimenez, director of library services, at 248-218-2268 or ajimenez@rochesteru.edu.
ABOUT ROCHESTER CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Rochester Christian University is an accredited liberal arts educational institution that prepares students for professional and personal success as they serve in God’s world. Founded in 1959, the university offers 29 bachelor’s degree majors and three master’s degrees. For more information, visit www.rochesteru.edu.
MEDIA CONTACT
Lora Hutson
Rochester Christian University
800 W. Avon Rd.
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
248-535-6736 (Cell)
lhutson@rochesteru.edu
