How J Dilla Gave Machines a Heartbeat

In this episode, host Chris Collins sits down with Morgan Stevenson Cooper, writer, director, and creator of Bel-Air, the reimagining of the iconic Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. A passionate storyteller and now the author of I CAN MAKE A MOVIE!, Morgan joins us to talk about the book that changed his life: Dilla Time by Dan Charnas.

Also read about the book that changed Kelsey Grammer’s life here.

They dive deep into the genius of J Dilla, how he “made a drum machine sound human,” and why his story became a creative compass for Morgan — shaping his art, his mindset, and even his healing. From discovering Madvillainy at age 12 to building Bel-Air and finding meaning in loss, this is a raw, inspiring conversation about creativity, purpose, and the power of rhythm.

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