J. Dilla’s Mother Announces New Album, ‘Rebirth of Detroit’

Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey, mother of revered Detroit beatmaker J. Dilla, has announced that a new album from her son will be released later this year.

The album, entitled 'The Rebirth of Detroit,' will solely feature Detroit artists who Dilla worked with during his lifetime, over unreleased beats crafted by the revered producer.

"People on this project will be the closest and most dear friends that Dilla had," Ma Dukes explained in a new video. "They worked with him personally one on one. They have a vested interest in Detroit; everyone that is involved in this project are Detroiters, that truly love Detroit for all that it has to offer ... It's a tribute from the heart and soul of these people. It's something different than what's been in the past."

Ma Dukes went on to say that 'The Rebirth of Detroit' is intended to work as a vessel, promoting unity among the members of the city's hip-hop community as well as the city of Detroit itself. "This will bring together artists that have drifted away from one another and haven't been able to work with each other lately," she continued. "It's a healing process for the city ... It's time to be proud to be a Detroiter. It's time to give something back to the community."

Although Dilla left a wealth of unreleased music when he died in 2006, much of it has been re-released with different titles or recorded with new vocals without the permission of his estate. Ma Dukes confirmed the project will be entirely "fresh" material.

Details on the album's features have yet to be announced. 'The Rebirth of Detroit' will be released in the fall.