The album was finally completed in February of 2006 and came out on Dilla’s birthday

Dilla was able use in his hospital bed and crates of records that were brought to him by his friends. The title is also linked to Dilla’s obvious obsession for burrowing through records to get the countless samples for the album. These songs featured the bombastic funk inspired beats that could bring amazing emotional highs along with soft soulful melodies that induce tears. The final drive Dilla was attempting to make bled through on every track serving as a love letter to music and his family on what they’ve meant to him. Most notable is the track “Don’t Cry” which features a sample from the soul group The Escorts and serves as a message to Dilla’s mother not to shed any tears for him with his impending passing around the corner

The theme of the album was the circular nature and continuance of life, with the intro portion of the album being labeled “Outro” and the final song working as the intro.

Friends would report the relief and joy Dilla experienced in finally getting out what he perceived to be his magnum opus. Beyond the reviews, fan reception and financial payout, this was the mission of a man who wanted to leave his mark on this world by showcasing his vision of untainted artistry Three days after the release, J Dilla would sadly pass away.

In the wake of his death, just like all great artists, Dilla’s acclaim would finally begin to grow into that of cult status. Donutsis now viewed as a quintessential album in hip hop that was praised for perfecting “pure postmodern art.” Each song carries an emotional weight that every listener can experience, but the songs are far from being appreciated through despair. Donuts is above all else a celebration of life that chronicles the neverending show that our stories offer in the same vein that although Dilla is no longer physically here, his spirit lives on and his influence on music has yet to be put out. The perseverance to cherish what makes us happy and give ourselves to it is not an effort that burns out, it is an eternal flame that inspires those after us to do the same with their own dreams and passions. It is a truth no disease, weapon or calamity could ever wipe away, an infinite spin that keeps our stories alive even in face of adversity

J Dilla’s record label, Stones Throw, had this to say on why Dilla chose such a name for his final work: