J Dilla’s Mom Wrote A Children’s Book About Her Son’s Life

Since 2006, J Dilla's legacy has been kept alive, largely through the efforts of his mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey and The James Dewitt Yancey Foundation. Ma Dukes recently joined Peter Rosenberg to discuss her upcoming children's book entitled The Life Story of James Dewitt Yancey. The book is "inspired by the stories from his mother, family and siblings," and will be released on November 22.

"Even though I actually lived it, it was wonderful to actually hear it," Ma Dukes told Rosenberg about the upcoming book. "It kind of shined a light on my life because you don't think of what you do every day." Proceeds from the book's sales will go to the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation. A Ma Dukes-narrated audio book will also be available.

Ma Dukes also discussed The Smithsonian's display of J Dilla's Akai MIDI Production Center and Limited Edition MPC 3000 in their National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened on September 24.

Watch Ma Dukes's interview with Peter Rosenberg above and pre-order The Life Story of James Dewitt Yancey here.