Hip-hop producer J Dilla, who worked with artists including A Tribe Called Quest and Busta Rhymes, has died aged 32 from the immune disease lupus.
J Dilla, aka Jay Dee, was one of the leading producers of soulful hip-hop
The Detroit artist, real name James Yancey and also known as Jay Dee, was a member of rap trio Slum Village.
Rolling Stone magazine recently called him "a top-ranked architect of soulful hip-hop" and "one of the nicest, and most unique, producers in the game".
A solo album, Donuts, partly recorded in hospital, was released on Tuesday.
Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes and NERD named him as his favourite producer in an interview two years ago.
J Dilla made his name in the mid-1990s and also created beats for Common, De La Soul, The Pharcyde and The Roots, plus soul stars D'Angelo and Erykah Badu.
He was diagnosed with the disease three years ago, his manager said.
Lupus is a condition where a person's immune system goes into overdrive and attacks the body's normal, healthy cells.