J Dilla‘s fondness for doughnuts was made clear upon the release of Donuts, the brilliant 2006 album that dropped just three days before his tragic passing. And in a few months, the late producer’s name and his love for the sweet baked treats will be immortalized in a different way. His uncle, Herman Hayes, is set to open a doughnut and coffee shop in Detroit named Dilla’s Donuts.
According to Detroit News, Hayes said that he got his nephew hooked on doughnuts as a youngster and felt that the title of his final album was a tribute to that memory. Hayes then decided it was only right to honor his nephew in kind and that “this is a good way to do it.” He continued:
“Not by putting out another album, but putting a sustainable business with his name on it that I plan on being in Detroit long after I’m gone. It’s just what I can give back to him for giving us that music.”
The shop will offer a variety of doughnuts and baked goods that are nods to Dilla’s legacy including McNasty Macaroons (a reference to Jaylib’s “McNasty Filth”) and Fantastic Fritters (a reference to Slum Village’s Fan-Tas-Tic album).
Dilla’s Donuts will open in the fall in Harmonie Park.