Moving Forward:
The J Dilla Foundation was changed to The James Dewitt Yancey Foundation in January 2015 to honor Maureen (MaDukes) Yancey-Smith son's legacy and to coincide with the induction into the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. MaDukes has dedicated her life to this Mission.
A. Upliftment of youth and encouraging their interest in education through music and the arts. MaDukes is an advocate of the Hip-Hop Education Center@ NYU. MaDukes and the J Dilla Foundation was presented with the "Extra Credit Award" for "Best National Organization in 2015.
B. The James Dewitt Yancey Foundation has expanded with chapters in Detroit, Minnesota, Atlanta, Chicago, London, Las Vegas, Australia, LA, NYC, Miami.
MaDukes is currently in the process of establishing foundation ties in Puerto Rico where she currently resides.
C. There are many gifted children in our midst and the charge is ours to take notice and believe in the special gifts that our youth behold. " Where you see the need the responsibility becomes yours" This was a gift of phrase that I was blessed with many years ago by the late Katherine Fitzgerald, it's truth shall forever bear witness.
THE MISSION
If we don't take charge of opening doors for our youth, their future will always be at risk. The mission is very simple: It's for and about the Children! The James Dewitt Yancey Foundation and all it's members will strive to make a better tomorrow for todays youth. Madukes is at work daily in keeping the legacy alive.
The Legacy: James Dewitt Yancey JAY DEE / J.DILLA)
DILLA's legacy is celebrated in over 20 major cities worldwide during the month of February commemorating his birth & death (February 7, 1972 - February 10, 2006).
Raised in the Conant Gardens section of Detroit, he has created chart topping singles for Dwele, Common, D’Angelo, The Roots, Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Q Tip, Janet Jackson, Busta Rhymes, & many others as well as genre redefining solo releases, DILLA’s work touched all seven continents, and left a forever mark on history and popular music.. He is credited with creating the genre known as “Neo-Soul”. DILLA succumbed to Lupus in 2006, at the age of 32. Maureen Yancey-Smith (Ma Dukes) and husband Toney Smith created the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation to ensure his musical legacy is at the forefront of providing music education.
Raised in the Conant Gardens section of Detroit, he has created chart topping singles for Dwele, Common, D’Angelo, The Roots, Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Q Tip, Janet Jackson, Busta Rhymes, & many others as well as genre redefining solo releases, DILLA’s work touched all seven continents, and left a forever mark on history and popular music.. He is credited with creating the genre known as “Neo-Soul”. DILLA succumbed to Lupus in 2006, at the age of 32. Maureen Yancey-Smith (Ma Dukes) and husband Toney Smith created the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation to ensure his musical legacy is at the forefront of providing music education.
VH1 Save The Music Foundation
EXPLORE MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
Grades 9-12
INTRODUCING THE J DILLA MUSIC TECH GRANT
J Dilla is to rhythm what John Coltrane is to harmony and Louis Armstrong is to melody. He is the first and only hip-hop producer ever to influence and affect the way traditional musicians play their instruments. By combining straight and swing elements in his productions, J Dilla cultivated sonic landscapes that explored the conflict between the two, and the new and exciting emotional reactions generated by this innovative approach. An inspiration to a whole new generation of young beat makers, musicians, and artists – in the words of Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson: “J Dilla is the producer’s producer’s producer.”
“J Dilla is without question, one of the illest beat makers…ever.”
– Pharrell Williams
“The Coltrane of Hip Hop.”
– Madlib
“It was incredible to have J Dilla in your dining room making beats – it was one of the greatest experiences I’ve had.”
– Common
“It’s like he was making Quincy Jones production sessions inside his MPC.”
– Kanye West
“J Dilla is the top producer of all time in my book.”
– Ty Dolla Sign
“He understood music. He applied that to his work.”
– Q-Tip
J Dilla Music Tech Grant Requirements
Be a public high school
Provide at least one full-time certified teacher and schedule the class as part of the regular school day
Schedule a minimum of 45 minutes of instruction per week
Have a room dedicated for instruction and designate adequate, secure storage space for equipment Complete annual progress reports and host representatives from
Provide at least one full-time certified teacher and schedule the class as part of the regular school day
Schedule a minimum of 45 minutes of instruction per week
Have a room dedicated for instruction and designate adequate, secure storage space for equipment Complete annual progress reports and host representatives from
Save The Music for check-in visits
Maintain working condition of all donated technology and equipment.
Maintain working condition of all donated technology and equipment.
VH1 Save The Music Foundation Grant