We’re coming to the tail end of what should officially be called Dilla month. February marks both the birth and death of the demigod producer James Yancey, the man known to fans around the world as J Dilla or Jay Dee. You may know him for his work with Slum Village, Tribe Called Quest, Janet Jackson, Busta Rhymes, The Pharcyde or Madlib amongst many others. If you don’t, it’s time you go get schooled.
Thanks to
this article in the February issue of Vibe, the financial trouble that Dilla’s family and his mother Ma Dukes is encountering has been brought to light. Basically, his family isn’t getting any money from his estate and as non-executors of Dilla’s will, they don’t even have the right to use his name.
Luckily the kind-hearted and super talented Carlos Nino and Miguel Atwood Ferguson have come to help, with the release of their four track EP, Suite For Ma Dukes. These orchestral arrangements of Dilla’s beats are a beautiful take on what Dilla gave us while he was still living. And the best thing about it is that all the proceeds go directly to Dilla’s heirs. Suite For Ma Dukes is available to buy now on iTunes, otherwise the vinyl drops in April. Stones Throw is already taking pre-orders with an expected shipping date of March 10. Spread the word!
Dilla interpreted by Carlos Nino and Miguel Atwood Ferguson 'Fall in Love':
More info on the EP at
stonesthrow.com. Images by Grace Oh.