J Dilla’s life story published as a children’s book
With an audio component narrated by his mother
Inspired by the anecdotes shared by his mother, J Dilla’s life story has been published as an illustrated children’s book.
Titled The Life Story of James Dewitt Yancey, the book focuses on Dilla’s early years and comes complete as being a similar size to a 12" record and also includes an audio component narrated by his mother, Maureen ‘Ma Dukes’ Yancey-Smith.
During an interview with Hot 97, Ma Dukes spoke about the vision behind the book as delivering “an example of striving to be all you can be and working hard to achieve one’s goals in life”.
The Life Story of James Dewitt Yancey is set for release on November 22.
Watch Ma Dukes’ interview with Hot 97 below, where she also discusses The Smithsonian’s acquisition of Dilla’s MPC as part of the collection at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Harrison is Mixmag's East Coast Editor. Follow him on Twitter here