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Jay made a good majority of this album in the hospital while getting treatment for a fatal disease he'd been fighting for over 3 years. Death knocking at his door and was more concerned with making music. That's dedication. Also, based on the album's style, certain samples and songtitles used tells me that he knew he wasn't long for this world and that this was what he wanted to release as his last goodbye. Titles like "Don't Cry", "Last Donut Of The Night", "Bye", the fact that the intro and outro have switched places which I could see as some sort of metaphor for current life ending -> afterlife beginning serve as good hints. I haven't dissected every sample just yet, as there are several that have made me question some sort of hidden message, but I think the most eerie discovery I've made is the fact that the last track on the album, "Donuts (Intro)", was made with a sample of a song called "When I Die" by Motherlode. I also believe that him releasing this album on his birthday is no coincidence either.
I'd say my suspicions were confirmed had he only given the album a more personal title. Still, speculation or not, I think it's pretty obvious and believe 100% that this isn't just a series of weird coincidences.
Donuts only has two real obvious drawbacks that I can find. First, while I like the fact that every song on here is short enough that they end before becoming dull and repetitive, several could stand to be just a bit longer. Great songs like "The New" and "Light My Fire" are the shortest tracks of the whole album, both coming in at just a little over a half a minute.
And last and most importantly, the way it was put together seems a little sloppy. Obviously intentional, it'd just be nice if the songs blended better making a smooth transition from one to the next rather than end so abruptly. It leaves the album without much of a steady flow and at times can take you out of the moment. Which is unfortunate, because with albums like this, I like to be able to just sit back, hit "play" and sink into it as it were one continuous song.
Then by the same token, you can look at it from a totally opposite point of view and say that the unpredictable direction Donuts takes you is what makes it so interesting and fresh. It keeps you on your toes from beginning to end never knowing what to expect. I honestly can't decide if I'd rather have it smoothed out or not change a thing. It's unusual, but I like it.
Regarding my theory on the album's "hidden meaning", perhaps Dilla ended these songs so unexpectedly as a metaphor to life and how it can suddenly be cut short at any given moment, maybe? I'm probably overthinking it too much now, but stranger things have happened. I'll make sure to ask him all about it in my next life.
Taking everything mentioned above into consideration, I can still look past it's minor imperfections and give Donuts a much deserved 5 stars. Again, not Dilla's best, but certainly his most meaningful.
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~~i'ma go cop this joint today~~
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rosemary's babydaddy
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