Ma Dukes aka Maureen Yancey talks about the J Dilla Foundation, the importance of the Arts, and new album 'Rebirth of Detroit' [Feature Interview]

   Just as J Dilla aka Jay Dee aka James Dewitt Yancey’s music had magically appeared into my life, so had my connection with the J Dilla Foundation. It all started with a simple Facebook friend request from Marketing/Brand Manager Diana Boardley. I usually don’t go through with random friend requests but this time I took a glance just to see what it was that brought this new person into my life. Upon clicking Diana’s profile I noticed her affiliation with the J Dilla foundation and the rest is history.

Eccentric: Hello Ma Dukes! Thank you for taking the time to sit down and chat with us. How are you doing today? How is your New Year going so far?

Ma Dukes: Thank you for having me today, I’m fine thank you, health is improving. This new year is looking up with innovative ideas to help us keep up and incorporate new ideas as we move forward. It’s time for new beginnings and progress..


Eccentric: We appreciate the efforts of you and everyone at the J Dilla foundation in helping fund inner-city music programs and providing scholarships to gifted students attending schools that have progressive music curricula. It is a great thing to be giving back to the community and to continue spreading the love and the music as your son would have wanted. Could you tell us a little about any specific upcoming projects of the foundation? How does it feel to be getting involved and giving music back to our youth?

Ma Dukes: Yes, the JDillaFoundation is moving forward in many areas. We’re connecting to communities, across the nation and networking with other non-profits across the globe. The mission is to ensure youth have a chance to nuture the special gifts given at birth yes, we all come equipped, but we must discover and nurture them. Our outreach will become more evident as we have been blessed with two new scholarship programs with dubspot. Our next generation of skilled DJ’s/engineer’s and studio tech’s will come forth as a result of the JDilla/Dubspot scholarships. They have top of the line instructors and equipment.

Eccentric: What has the response been from the community? What has been the most memorable moment during your efforts with the foundation?

Ma Dukes:  We work hand in hand with Detroit artist[s] and dedicated artist[s] globally to make sure we keep going through events and fundraisers. The economy has stifled many donors but we forge ahead on this mission. There will be an educational symposium taking place February 11th for youth in Detroit. This will be hands on training session with equipment provided by local artist[s]. They will also have an opportunity to learn about Dilla in the process.

Eccentric: It is no secret that the importance of the arts in the schools of America has been dwindling. How do you feel about the current state of music programs in the schools?

Ma Dukes: I’m saddened about the lack of music programs in the school system. You raise a child with certain tools to ensure they become well rounded individuals. It is so important, in the lives of children and adults. We must expose our children to the arts at all cost.

Art 4 Dilla 1st Place Winner: Joseph Buckingham

Eccentric: As a child, I always looked forward to each and every single moment in class that involved music and art. How important is it for children to create and express themselves regularly and receive the encouragement and enthusiasm they deserve? Did Dilla ever dabble in drawing or any visual creations aside from his music?

Ma Dukes: I can surely say from my own experience that I felt the very same way, I would let nothing keep me from attending music classes. Just as a child is encouraged to participate in cognitive games during play the same applies to exposure of the arts. It is a most necessary part of becoming a whole and social individual. Dilla did draw and was exposed to poetry prose and theatre.

Eccentric: What was the first instrument Dilla picked up? Can you recall the first record you played for him? What kinds of music did you expose your kids to?

Ma Dukes: Dilla’s first formal instrument was piano, he studied at Krainz Woods School of Music for a short time then continued at Miner Bros school of music. He then learned to play drums (self taught). We couldn’t afford a full set that Christmas, so we decided to get the Snare. He excelled and was able to play as though he had a full set. Next was the cello, of course he excelled, and the rest is history. My children were exposed to country/jazz/rock/gospel/hip-hop/opera.

Thomas Angermann / Creative Commons

Eccentric: The New Year brings new opportunities for growth and expansion. How can we all get involved with the foundation to help and support the mission of spreading the music?

Ma Dukes: You can come aboard by reaching out to J Dilla Foundation.org. This is a 501 c3 non profit and all work is volunteered. We will be forming committees at the end of March and are looking forward to those that want to enhance the lives of our youth through the arts. You may email me at Maureen@jdillafoundation.org, and I will personally address your inquiries.

Eccentric: Speaking of getting involved, what are you doing this year for ‘Dilla Month’? I’m seeing flyers for a show in Detroit, a show in Tempe, and even events out in the UK in Brighton, Manchester, and London. It looks like you have a busy schedule!

Ma Dukes: We’re raising it up another notch this year. I’ll be traveling quite a bit but I’m happy and excited, the foundation is on one accord and everyone wants to do their best to encourage our youth in the arts and become more instrumental. As well, as educated in the world of music. We’re putting Dilla up in lights this year in his hometown. We will celebrate at the Fillmore Theatre.

Eccentric:  It’s a beautiful thing that Dilla’s music still continues to grow and reach new ears of all ages inspiring new people all across the world. Fans have taken things to heart by producing their own creations empowered by his music. I personally have been so touched and inspired by the music that I make it a point to introduce J Dilla to someone new with an open mind and open ears as often as I can.

How does it feel to know that the fans of your son's music have done more than just enjoy his musical message and have been taking action?

Ma Dukes: It’s remarkable! I count myself among the blessed. We’re all in this together; we can lose out children to the world if we turn our backs on them. With the help of his fans we can change it for the better. Music is a fortress for you when you need it and nurture’s the mind. Music is the beauty of a rose set to melody. Music is the beat of your heart, even the beat of your heart has it’s own song. It’s the blinking of the eye and patterns unaware, it can pull you through a storm still keeping a song in your heart. It is medicinal, it has it’s own healing powers. It helped me through a rocky childhood and filled many voids.

Eccentric: Everyone here at Dank Radio is all about the positive vibrations that the music gives us. What are your top 5 favorite records of all time that had positive vibrations to help you through the bad times and keep your head up during the good ones?

Ma Dukes: My favorite songs of the top would be classic “I love you Porgy” from Porky and Bess. “Misty” by any jazz artist. “Great it thy faithfulness”-Gospel “Love conquers all”- Lionel Richie “Somewhere along the line”-Jazz


Eccentric: On that note, How excited are you about the Rebirth of Detroit? Can you tell us about the project and its status so far? When can we expect to hear it?

Ma Dukes: Ecstatic is the word! Doing it’s thing to bridge the gap and mend the whole. Expert music from all genre’s, expect to hear artists that are seasoned and unknown until now. Expect collaborations and community strength, expect release Memorial day weekend.

Eccentric: One last question. Out of all the Dilla joints, which were you most amazed at when hearing the way he flipped the original sampled record?

Ma Dukes: Hands down “Player”. I loved the original song also, it represents the music he was exposed to by his parents. “Claire”.










Eccentric: Any finals words and advice for all the aspiring artists and musicians?

Ma Dukes: Yes, remember to “Do You” as Dilla would say. He did and was different and it made a difference. Keep towing the line and keep ‘Raisin’ it up”!!

Thank you Ma Dukes for all the information and insight on the foundation, your family, and the new release. We cannot wait to hear these fresh new tunes. Dilla’s music lives forever and will continue to reach new ears as long as we continue to share the love of his music! You have our full support and efforts in expanding and extending the music even further!

J Dilla aka Jay Dee aka James Dewitt Yancey
February 7, 1974 - February 10, 2006

Rest in Beats Dilla Dawg.

J Dilla | J Dilla Foundation | Rebirth of Detroit

Upcoming Events:
February 3 - DILLA BREAK-A-DAWN: 4th Annual Beat*Shot Spins for J Dilla | Info
February 3 - J Dilla Changed my Life @ Ruby Lounge, Manchester, UK | Ma Dukes / Phat Kat / Mr Scruff |Tickets
February 4 - J Dilla Changed my Life @ Sticky Mike's Frog Bar (Formerly Jam), Brighton, UK | Tickets
February 4 - Dank Radio's 4th Annual Dilla-Thon Live Broadcast - worldwide | special guests: J-Logic & Z
February 5 - J Dilla Changed my Life @ Scala, London, UK | Tickets
February 10 - Dilla Day Detroit @ The Fillmore Detroit | Busta Rhymes, Jay Electronica, Phife Dawg (A Tribe Called Quest), Phat Kat, Danny Brown, Guilty Simpson, Nick Speed Orchestra, Dj J-Rocc, Chuck English (Cool Kids), Fat Ray, Boldy James and More! | Tickets

Peace and Love.
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