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.”
Visit the Roland Lifestyle online store at RolandLifestyle.shop on Dilla Day, February 7, 2024, starting at 12:00 p.m. PST.
