J Dilla's music and legacy live on more than a decade after his death thanks to the continued efforts put forth by his mother, known across the rap world as Ma Dukes. She plays a vital role in the annual Dilla Day concert and, speaking with Hot 97's Peter Rosenberg recently, shares that she has been working on a children's book that tells the story of her son's life.

The book, titled The Life Story of James Dewitt Yancey, is available for preorder now through Dilla's official website and will be released on Nov. 22. The book is "inspired by the stories from his mother, family and siblings," with Ma Dukes saying that the process of putting it together gave her new insight on her own life.

"Even though I actually lived it, it was wonderful to actually hear it," she says in the above video. "It kind of shined a light on my life because you don't think of what you do every day." Proceeds from the book's sales will go to the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation. A Ma Dukes-narrated audio book will be made available as well.

Additionally, she speaks to Rosenberg about The Smithsonian's display of J Dilla's Akai MIDI Production Center and Limited Edition MPC 3000 in their National Museum of African American History and Culture and when she realized she would have such a large undertaking as the head of Dilla's estate. Watch the interview up above, with talk of the book starting around the six minute mark.

11 of the Best Books Written By Rappers

More From XXL