You can hit slightly late (like ~1/16th note), and still have it look intentional - [Tabo demonstrates this](https://youtu.be/ES9PZcpnv_A?si=hduIhuLOpEdiSMU_&t=81). You can also hit earlier but the window is much smaller. The late timing creates *anticipation*, which makes the fulfillment of the promise more impactful. This is similar to how [non-quantized drums](https://youtu.be/ES9PZcpnv_A?si=hduIhuLOpEdiSMU_&t=81) produce an organic ebb and flow. Conversely, being too perfectly on beat can look synthetic and sterile, and sometimes even a little "try hard".