A piece of Hip Hop history is headed to the Smithsonian Institution. Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey is donating some of her son J Dilla’s personal equipment to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The late producer’s Voyager synthesizer and Akai MIDI Production Center 3000 Limited Edition will be included as part of the museum’s inaugural “Musical Crossroads” exhibition opening in 2016. Collections from Chuck D, George Clinton, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Chuck Berry, and Lena Horne will be featured at the museum as well.
“I feel it’s necessary to raise the level of art appreciation in the Hip Hop sector and honor my son James Dewitt Yancey, one of the most influential individuals in the history of Hip Hop,” said Yancey in a statement.
Ma Dukes and a representative from the currently in construction African American History Museum made the announcement at the annual “DC Loves Dilla” tribute concert at Washington D.C.’s Howard Theatre.
