Roland, a world leader in electronic musical instruments, and Roland Lifestyle have partnered with Save The Music Foundation to release a J Dilla apparel collection benefitting the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation and the J Dilla Music Technology Grant. Roland is also providing grant-recipient schools with access to Roland Cloud, Roland’s evolving cloud-based suite of software synthesizers, drum machines, and sampled instruments, including the legendary TR-808 drum machine. The grant aims to bring out inner creativity, talent, and confidence in high school students by teaching them the fundamentals of electronic music creation, recording, and production.The limited collaboration J Dilla t-shirt, hoodie and hat will be released on Dilla Day, February 7, 2024, which would have been the legendary artist’s 50th birthday. The lifestyle apparel release
showcases Dilla’s love for the city of Detroit, it showcases J Dilla making music in a home studio and it honors his 2006 album Donuts, widely regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop projects of all time.
The partnership between Roland and Save The Music will continue throughout 2024. Roland Lifestyle plans to release a more extensive J Dilla collection later this fall, including a short sleeve button down, work jacket, work pants, sweatsuit, and more, to be released online and in select boutiques. Roland will provide additional support for the J Dilla Music Technology Grant, with details forthcoming later this year.
“Our family comes from a musical house where Roland machines helped us create so much music over the years,” said Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey, J Dilla’s mother. “This partnership feels right to me, as both my son and Roland have inspired and influenced many musicians. It is a great way to continue James’s legacy.”
“Growing up, J Dilla changed my approach to creativity, and it is an honor to celebrate his legacy through this partnership,” said Nathan Chandra, creative director at Roland Lifestyle. “With proceeds from the collection’s sales benefiting the J Dilla Music Technology Grant and the Save The Music Foundation, J Dilla continues to impact culture and the future of music from the next world.”
“We are excited to partner with Roland to invest in the next generation of young creators through our J Dilla Music Technology Grant and this new J Dilla apparel collection.” Said Henry Donahue, Executive Director at Save The Music. “J Dilla’s life and work continue to inspire our students and teachers to reach their full potential through the power of making music, very often with the help of Roland software, instruments and drum machines.”
The “Michigan” t-shirt ($40) features J Dilla’s likeness representing “Motor City” Detroit and is made from 6 oz. 100% cotton. The “Donuts” hoodie ($100) features the classic image from J Dilla’s Donuts album and his James Dewitt Yancey written signature graphic on heavy-weight 100% organic cotton. The trucker hat ($40) features J Dilla’s iconic silhouette.
To purchase the Roland Lifestyle x J Dilla collection while supplies last, please visit the Roland Lifestyle online store at RolandLifestyle.shop on Dilla Day, February 7, 2024, starting at 12:00 p.m. PST.
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