IMO it's more that his approach to rhythm truly was original and unique in contemporary music, and was so influential you hear it everywhere. In fact not only has it not faded, but it continues to grow in prominence year after year. Jazz drummers study dilla beats now. It's used in gospel music. It's very rare for a novel technique to so clearly originate from a single practitioner and then go on to be used as widely as that.
We're left to wonder about his potential.