J Dilla's mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey-Smith, has been dedicated to keeping her son's legacy alive ever since his 2006 passing. This week, it appears she continued her mission by sharing a compilation of fifteen unheard Dilla tracks with the late producer's fans. The project popped up unannounced on Spotify, Apple Music, and Spotify on Friday, December 23.
The compilation, entitled Jay Dee’s Ma Dukes Collection, was released through Yancey Media Group LLC / Official Ma Dukes / VINTAGE VIBEZ MUSIC GROUP. It is the latest in a string of posthumous Dilla releases this year, following April's The Diary and August's Back to the Crib.
Although it has not been confirmed, the title of the project suggests that Ma Dukes curated the collection of songs. She recently released a children's book about Dilla's upbringing called The Life Story of James Dewitt Yancey. Proceeds from the book go to the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation, which is focused on "enhancing and developing urban music programs in inner-cities academia."
Stream the newly released Dilla tracks below.
