J Dilla will soon live posthumously through an art form other than music — doughnuts.
Herman Hayes (Uncle Herm), brother of Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey, and uncle of late Detroit producer J Dilla, will be opening a doughnut shop called “Dilla’s Delights” this fall in honor of Dilla’s favorite treat. Hayes, a former baker at Avalon Bakery in Detroit, plans to use only organic ingredients for his doughnuts, which will be available Monday through Saturday, starting in October or November.
J Dilla’s love for doughnuts was inspired by Uncle Herm’s steady supply while growing up. Appropriately, his final album, produced and recorded from his deathbed in 2006, was titled Donuts. Dilla died of complications related to lupus in 2006. He was 32.
Dilla’s Delights will be located in an 800 square foot space on the ground floor of the Ashley in Harmonie Park, formerly the Milner Hotel, where Dilla lived for a short period as a child. Customers can expect upwards of 20 doughnut varieties, all bearing names derived from J Dilla’s song titles. The cafe will also serve coffee and tea.
Uncle Herm says Detroit music lovers can anticipate constant vinyl spinning inside Dilla’s Delights. The music of the legendary hometown producer will be featured around the clock, as well as the work of artists he sampled to create his productions.
Watch the video for “Last Donut of the Night,” from J Dilla’s final album, Donuts: