J Dilla created Donuts, one of the most influential and respected albums in hip hop history, while he was fighting a fatal blood disease. The album was released in February 2006 just three days before his death and many consider it to be a masterpiece. The album is filled with songs that are heady and soulful; funky and futuristic.

My guest this week, Shannon Cason, chooses the track, “Workinonit” as his Perfect Song for Motivation. Shannon is a storyteller and the host of the podcast, Shannon Cason’s Homemade Stories. Like J Dilla, Shannon was part of the Detroit 90’s Hip Hop scene and he even had the opportunity to record once with J Dilla.

• The Detroit hip hop scene in the 90s’s.


• Why Shannon’s initial reaction to Donuts is not how he feels about the album today.


• Hearing J Dilla’s influence in the music of A Tribe Called Quest, Kanye West, Erykah Badu and so many others.


• How the music one hears between the ages of 12 – 16 shapes your musical taste for the rest of your life.

Like all great storytellers Shannon Cason uses words to draw you into his world. He shares his passion and his personal connection to this music – but also arms you with enough context and information so that you can appreciate it on your own terms.

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