The legacy of the late J. Dilla is always going to remain alive and well on a rich archive of records, but to keep his memory alive once the music stops, various organizations are celebrating the beloved hip hop producer on both the day before and on his born day, February 7.
Dilla, who fell victim to Lupus in 2006, is being honored at two separate events. The first happens today, February 6. The women of Ladies Love J Dilla are teaming up with the Lupus Foundation of America for a fundraiser honoring Dilla at the Deity Lounge in Brooklyn, New York. The event, which features an art exhibit and begins at 10 p.m. will also include performances by MC’s Jean Grae and Bless Roxwell, as well as an orchestral musical tribute to Dilla by Nikki Glaspie and Revive Da Live. DJ Beverly Bond will also be one of many DJs spinning on the ones and twos.
On Dilla’s born day (Saturday, February 7), another event, Donuts Are Forever 3 presented by Rare Form, will be paying tribute to J, Dilla as well as raising money to increase awareness of Lupus. The tribute is this Saturday, February 7. at the Public Assembly in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. A five-dollar minimum donation will be taken at the door and all proceeds go towards the Alliance for Lupus Research.
Of course, those who cannot make it out to the two events going down in New York can still support the family of J. Dilla with the purchase of this specially designed tribute t-shirt (pictured below). Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey, the mother of Dilla is also suffering from Lupus, and while struggling with the disease, she has seen her son’s estate be taken from her. The t-shirt, designed by Parra, was produced in collaboration with Stones Throw. Click here to order the shirt or pick one up at any of the retailers listed below. All proceeds will go towards Ma Dukes.
The special Ma Dukes t-shirt
Retailers:
Union (LA)
Standard (Atlanta)
Lazy Dog (Paris)
Colette (Paris)
St. Alfred (Chicago)
Kicks HI (Oahu)
Premium Goods (Houston)
Four One Two (Pittsburgh)
Burn Rubber (Detroit)
Cali Roots (Stockholm)
DMR (Osaka, Tokyo)
Jazzy Sport (Tokyo)
Streetkit Gallery (Moscow)
Norml Clothing (Ottawa)
Rush Hour (Amsterdam)
Sole Purpose (Beaumont)
Online:
Turntablelab.com (+NY/LA Stores)
Giantpeach.com
Digitalgravel.com
Undergroundhiphop.com
Fatbeats.com (+NY/LA Stores)
HHV.de
Kingunderground.com
Come back to VIBE.com next week for an update on the J. Dilla story we published in the February 2009 issue, Diggin' for J. Dilla.
home
