J DILLA MAGAZINE ARCHIVE
An independent digital preservation project dedicated to locating, digitizing, cataloguing, and researching print coverage of J Dilla from publications around the world.
I acquire out-of-print publications, create high-resolution preservation scans, organize detailed metadata, and use the material to support documentary research and historical verification.
Promotional video filmed by me and edited by Padybu (@photosofdilla)
ARCHIVAL PROCESS
Locate
Identify rare and undocumented coverage through catalogues, collectors, sellers, libraries, and direct outreach.
Preserve
Acquire original publications and produce high-resolution archival scans with consistent file organization
Document
Record dates, issue information, credits, subjects, languages, sources, and historical context.
Archive Impact & Professional Recognition
After discovering the Dilla Magazine Archive, Scenario Media—the production company behind Questlove and Joseph Patel’s upcoming J Dilla documentary—reached out to request access to archival scans for research and potential inclusion in the film.
The official J Dilla Instagram account, managed by the J Dilla estate, shared scans from the archive, introducing the project to a wider audience and affirming its value within the Dilla community.