NEW ERA HOPES TO HONOR THE LEGACY OF HIP HOP SINGER JAY DEE

A new line of New Era Fitted hats honoring the memory of Hip-Hop singer Jay Dee (J. Dilla) will debut on Okayplayer.com. The web site will highlight the exclusive collection of fitted headwear.

The revered producer, a founding member of the rap group Slum Village, was known for his work with artists such as Common, Erykah Badu, Busta Rhymes, The Roots, De La Soul and the Pharcyde.

The Jay Dee hats mark the latest venture for New Era, who has already teamed up with rappers the Game, Fabolous and Fat Joe as well as MTV personality La La as part of its Capture the Flag series of hats.

Jay Dee (born James Yancey), left Slum Village in 2003 to pursue a solo career. He died on February 10, 2006 from complications of lupus. Proceeds from the sale of the Jay Dee headwear will go to the J. Dilla Foundation, an organization founded to keep the producer’s memory alive through partnerships, events, concerts and fundraisers.