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J Dilla’s Sampler and Synthesizer Are Going to the Smithsonian

J Dilla MPC Smithsonian Museum NMAAHC Sampler Moog

It should go without saying that J Dilla’s effect on modern music was profound. The late, great beatmaker (De La SoulDonuts, the Roots) has of late been extolled by the likes of Kanye West and Questlove, and is getting a mega-deluxe box set release set to arrive in the shape of a sampler no less. Fittingly, we now learn that James Yancey’s MPC and custom Moog synthesizer will be installed in a forthcoming branch of the Smithsonian Museum.

The pair can be seen above along with Jay Day’s loving mother, Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey. The Minimoog Voyager was made for the artist by the good Dr. Robert Moog himself. Both will find a new home at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, along with other “significant artifacts” once construction is complete — the Washington, D.C. fixture is expected to open late 2015 or early 2016.

“Dilla will be there when you walk through those doors,” a Smithsonian Museum representative told a near capacity crowd at the recent 2014 “DC Loves Dilla” event via Okayplayer. Watch a clip of the announcement below and read the full press release at the Smithsonian Newsdesk.

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