Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey Talks Son J Dilla's Inclusion At Smithsonian

MA DUKES EXPLAINS WHY SHE DONATED J DILLA’S EQUIPMENT TO THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY

(AllHipHop News) Last month it was revealed that acclaimed Hip Hop producer J Dilla’s equipment will be placed on display at the Smithsonian’s forthcoming National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Dilla’s mother Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey was on hand at the “DC Loves Dilla” tribute concert in Washington to help make the announcement.

[ALSO READ: J Dilla’s Equipment Will Be Featured At The Smithsonian’s African American History Museum]

Ms. Yancey recently spoke with The Huffington Post about her son’s legacy and his Voyager synthesizer and Akai MIDI Production Center 3000 being included in the “Musical Crossroads” exhibition.

“I’ve been approached by a lot of institutions, but the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., is very accessible to all,” explained Yancey on why she donated Dilla’s artifacts to the Smithsonian.

Ma Dukes was first approached about the possibility of contributing to the museum five years ago. She told a curator at the time she was not ready to part with the items so soon after her son’s passing.

Dilla died in 2006, but not before creating classic tracks for A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Common, Erykah Badu, and many more. The Detroit native also released his own critically acclaimed albums like Donuts and Champion Sound with Madlib.

“I want young people to understand that no matter where you come from, you should always pursue your dreams,” added Yancey.

[ALSO READ: Kanye West Discusses His Appreciation For J Dilla & Madlib (VIDEO)]