“Pay Jay ready… is the check cut?”
Ah… Jay Dee …where do I even start?
J Dilla Changed My L—nah, that’s played out. Without Jay Dee I wouldn’—eh, not that either.
Fuck it. If you made it to this site, you should know by now who James D. Yancey is and what he means to not just me but any&everyone whose been paying attention to this music thing of ours in the past 10+ years.
And if you know that, then unfortunately, you’re most likely aware of the tragic situation of his last days and his family’s financial status in the wake of his passing. In attempt to remedy the situation, there’s been lots of tributes, funds, re-releases, mixtapes, shirts, posters, etc. — some of them were dope, others were not - some were legit, others were most definitely not. But unfortunately, due to a legal technicality, no money directly generated from J Dilla’s work or likeness have reached all of the right people - namely, his mother, Mrs. Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey. Not to put their personal business on blast (I’ve probably said too much already), but with insane medical bills still unpaid and worsening personal conditions, our support is needed now more than ever.
Others have started their own new tribute projects for Mrs. Yancey - and all the more power to them. But me, I don’t feel like all of that should even be necessary.
I really feel like this should be a wake-up call to us all on a numer of issues. Some of them being better health insurance plans for artists, fairer royalty systems, etc. But that’s all industry shit. As far as “we the people” - we’ve got a lot to do with this. You all know you’ve been getting Dilla’s unreleased shit for free for years now. And I really can’t hate too much on that part - if your favorite artist has some shit that you can’t purchase available for you to snatch up, it’s understandable to wanna get it. But when the time comes - you need put your mouth where your mouth is & ears are and cough up some $$$ to those who justly deserve it.
You shouldn’t need a new song or mixtape to offer a fellow human being who birthed the source for a lot of our inspiration some help in their time of need, especially when you still haven’t paid them for the old shit yet.
But, it’s on you. I’ve said and paid my piece.
17 Comments
Nice one FreshSelects.net !
=)
- 5AnimalsPlay 1
Sent some stuff to Ms. Yanceys email.
I’m here 4 the Yancey family. 3
All hail the King of the Beats!!!!!!!!!!! 8
America is the only developed country where you are ruined for normal health procedures!
It’s a shame. 13
This post wasn’t meant to spark an ethical debate, but I’ll speak my piece…
You’re right - people should do and give more in their communities and I see where you’re coming from with that - but I don’t see why that should be a reason to NOT give to Mrs. Yancey..?? This is a music blog, not a hurricane relief blog - I have been involved with other causes (although probably not as much as I should), but thats irrelevant to this site - however, this particular cause was not.
I’m still trying to wrap my head around your logic of posting up a comment trying to detract from people raising money for a woman in need. If you have better causes you feel people should know about - by all means, post em up! But tryna take away from this one isn’t helping out anyone. 16
No, I don’t see anything wrong with you doing a tribute project dedicated to Dilla - just as long as you & your team are paying his family some financial tribute as well. I can’t argue with you wanting to “build off of inspiration” - but it’s only right to cut the Yancey’s a check from all that tax-free promotion you’ve been getting off of associating yourself with his name & work.
If you’ve already given to the family or consented with them - then my apologies, all the more power to you.
Although I do think including some information on Mrs. Yancey’s situation & some sort of indirect link (as to avoid legal complications) along with your download links would be a nice touch - but that’s on you.
Not trying to downplay what you’re doing, just stating my two cents on your question.
EDIT: I’m just now seeing the comments posted on your mixtape posts on Okayplayer, NahRight & other places with this link. Just wanted to state that I had no part in that - this post was written to give to Mrs. Yancey, not take away from others. 17
a bootleg from uk as far i know.
let´s stop that nonsense!
shops & dealers stop it or give the benefit to ma dukes..
feels not nice to know that most ain´t getting it straight.
start acting and support in the sake for all mothers and the big mother nature to give back. without our ladies no life. keep up reminding ourself we´re we come from.
pay jay? PAY JAY!!! and all other will follow. history repeats and we don´t need another issue of detroits finest musicians not getting paid.look into the 60/70 ies… we needed 30 years to give back..and still do..let´s make it this time faster..keep the d up..keep la up..keep nyc up…keep new orleans up..keep london up..keep cologne up..keep tokio up, keep paris up, keep johannesburg up, keep up..around the globe.. keep it up..
mothers & ladies around the world not getting paid, brothers & sisters still struggling.. keep it up…
one world , one love…
payjay.
peace
ben* 19
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