Last May, Maureen Yancey, mother of late Detroit producer and emcee J Dilla (p/k/a Jay Dee) explained how her son’s estate was in disarray. Prior to a VIBE magazine expose, Dilla’s estate, which included rights to his vast catalog of unreleased music, was controlled by his attorney, Micheline Levine and accountant, Arty Erk. Since the two stepped down after the nationally-publicized article, a re-focus has taken place, with Dilla’s two children in mind.
Their grandmother said this to DX in May: “Oh yes indeed, as soon as things are straightened out,” Mrs. Yancey replied when asked if the new estate executors will see to it that Paige and Ja’Mya are financially taken care of. “I think that they have to untangle whatever web that the old estate had [created]. And they have not been cooperative, as far as sending stuff over like they should have – they could’ve turned stuff over right away. They’ve been dragging [their feet] and taking their time [in] the course of doing things. But eventually they have to answer to the courts… [We’ll] get it [all] straight eventually and the family will be good.”
This morning, it was announced to DX that Ja’Mya, Paige, Dilla’s brother Illa J and his mother are now the benefactors of the estate. “I’m so excited because it’s like one big organization,” said Maureen Yancey in a statement. “We’ve got cutting-edge people all over the country waiting to work and be a part of it. Everybody’s on one accord it seems like the universe is working with us. I’m just blown away.”
In addition, the J Dilla Foundation was re-established, with a focus on preserving music in schools in Detroit, Atlanta and Los Angeles, two of which are places were Dilla lived. A press release claimed the foundation’s mission: “The goal of the foundation is to help fund the development of music in the inner city and provide scholarships to students enrolled at schools with progressive music curriculum’s. Four initiatives will be launched each year and three cities chosen to enhance local music programs, with scholarships awarded to one or more students at the beginning of the fall semester.” Through use of the Dilla name, merchandise and licensing, there will be fundraisers held to try to raise at least $10,000 to each effort.
Ma Dukes said, “One of the things Dilla wanted me to do with his legacy was to use it to help others, people with illness, and kids who were musically gifted but had little hope due to poverty.” The foundation hopes that by funding and encouraging the pursuit of careers in music, prodigies and music enthusiasts alike will have the support and tools they need to flourish and become successful within the entertainment industry.
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“The foundation is to keep Dilla’s dream alive to help youth—those who aspire to make good music—and develop their time, talent, and nurture their skill. We also want to be there financially for those who are talented but don’t have the money or access to the networks they need to help them grow.”
In addition to a three-volume series compiling Dilla’s best vocal, remix and production work released on Rapster Records last year, Nature Sounds Records also released the Yancey Family-approved Jay Stay Paid album. The collection was among DX’s Top 25 Albums Of 2009.
