LIVE: The 9th Annual DC Loves Dilla Concert and Fundraiser [DC]

Photos: Victoria Ford/Sneakshot

The Howard Theatre was the place to be last Thursday night to celebrate the life and legacy of James "J Dilla" Yancey.  This year's line up featured God'Illa, Roddy Rod, Hezekiah, Kokayi, Pharoahe Monch, R&B singer N'dea Davenport, Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest and a rare US performance by Bahamadia backed by The Players.

Besides the amazing performances, there were a few surprise announcements one of them being the announcement that J Dilla's mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey made.  She informed the audience that J Dilla's custom made Moog Voyager synthesizer and Akai MPC 3000 will be preserved at the Smithsonian's Museum of African American History and Culture.  Dilla's instruments are part of "Musical Crossroads", a curated exhibition which will feature artifacts from several iconic artists.

The other announcement was made by Munch Joseph of Hedrush, the organizer of the event.  Next year's 10th Annual DC Loves Dilla event will be a live re-creation of "A Suite for Ma Dukes" at the Kennedy Center in 2015.