J Dilla Estate Launches New Web Site and Foundation

Last July, The BoomBox reported that the family of iconic hip-hop producer J Dilla won a long going legal battle over the fate of his estate. More good news on the subject surfaced this week with the establishment of the official J Dilla Foundation and newly appointed administrator for the late tastemaker's estate, attorney Alex Borden.

"It's awesome to not only have things back on the right track, but to have people who are really in your corner," Dilla's mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey said in a statement. "I'm just blown away by the past few years, and working doubly hard to get things corrected, it drives you. It's wonderful."

Under the new agreement, the Yancey family will now be financially benefiting from all things associated with J Dilla's name and legacy, especially recordings and branded merchandise. This includes the launch of J-Dilla.com, which will be the hub for any future ventures involving his name. The family hopes that once the will is settled a "profitable enterprise" immortalizing J Dilla will have been established.
As the chariman of the J Dilla foundation, Yancey plans to launch yearly initiatives in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Dilla's hometown, Detroit. In addition to holding fundraisers. the non-profit charity hopes to create scholarships for inner-city youth involved in music programs.

"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," Yancey said. "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."

"What separated Jay was that he was uninhibited in his knowledge of music," said Dilla pal DJ Jazzy Jeff, "and he was uninhibited when it came to making his music." Dilla, who produced records for artists ranging from underground hip-hop groups A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul to mainstream acts Janet Jackson and Kanye West, died in February 2006 of lupus. He was 32.