Rising from the rugged streets and rich musical tapestry of Detroit, Slum Village is poised to carry on the old school, funk, and soul-filled hip-hop torch of genre pioneers A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and the Pharcyde. Growing up in the Conant Garden neighborhood of Detroit and forming during high-school days at Detroit's Pershing High School, MCs Baatin, Jay Dee, and T3 quickly garnered praise and recognition in the local underground scene. In the mid-'90s, Jay Dee became part of the hip-hop elite as a member of the Ummah, the production team responsible for multiple hits by Q-Tip, A Tribe Called Quest, D'Angelo, the Pharcyde, De La Soul, and Common, as well as remixes for Janet Jackson and Brand New Heavies. In 1998, Slum Village gained further recognition as an opening act for A Tribe Called Quest's farewell tour. Two years later, after some record-industry politics, the group released Fantastic, Vol. 2, and an album featuring appearances from D'Angelo, Q-Tip and DJ Jazzy Jeff. For fans with an ear to the underground and a few questions concerning the whereabouts of Fantastic, Vol. 1, the trio assumed an alias (J-88) to release Best Kept Secret.
Two more years went by before the group was heard from, but "Tainted" broke their silence in the summer of 2002 to become a growing hit on MTV2. The album that followed, Trinity (Past, Present and Future), boasted fewer guest appearances and a well-rounded combination of the first album's rough-and-tumble productions with the second album's soulful vibe. The record also featured Jay Dee in a reduced role, with new member Elzhi picking up the slack. Later that year, Slum Village released Dirty District, a compilation of Detroit MCs produced by T3 and compatriot RJ Rice. By the time recording began for their fourth proper album, Baatin was gone from the lineup, a victim of schizophrenia that briefly incapacitated him (he later mounted a solo career). T3 and Elzhi picked up the slack by inviting high-profile guests including Dirt McGirt and Kanye West, and Capitol released the results, Detroit Deli (A Taste of Detroit), in June 2004.
In July of 2005 Slum Village will release "Prequel to A Classic" a mixtape that reunites J-Dilla, Baatin, T3 and Elzhi for an array of unreleased material that Slum Village fans will be sure to get open on. Production includes tracks from BR Gunna, Young R.J, Karreim Riggins and J Dilla with guest features from Dwele, Frank & Dank, The Dramatics, J.Issac and
Kurupt.
The prodigal sons return to their roots. Slum
Village is ever evolving, always focused and ready to go to the next
level. The original trio of T3, Baatin and J Dilla introducing
themselves to the hip-hop realm in the 1990’s, Slums homage to life
with its ups and downs in Detroit keeps them well rooted in the
community. Formed in 1996, Slum Village released their first album Fantastic,Volume 1 independently. The album was an instant underground
classic. After the group’s first national release Fantastic,
Volume 2 released under their home label Barak Records. The Slum
Village roster slowly began to change when J Dilla departed and a new
addition to the group was introduced. Lyricist Elzhi made his Slum
Village debut on the album Trinity: Past, Present, Future
(Barak/Capitol). The line up changed once again for 2004 Slum’s Detroit
Deli, with the departure of Baatin, still, the album was penned
as the most musically rich album to date. Production consists of the
Young RJ Rice and Black Milk also known as BR Gunna with special
guest production by Kanye West on their hit single
"Selfish".
Now back where they started, Slum Village yet
again thrills and delights fans and gains yet a larger audience hungry
for the smoking beats under the hot lyrical talent of T3 and Elzhi. Slum
has begun to bring more of their personal feelings to their music,
allowing the listeners and fans to touch more on the emotions and
realness and touched on more serious topics. Prequel to a Classic
features previously unreleased joints and jams from Slum Village with
production by BR Gunna, J Dilla and Kareem Riggins. The mix tape gives
listeners the best of some of their material since Fantastic
Vol.1. The group’s next release is set for a fall release; a
full length LP entitled The S and the V. Keep your eyes and ears open
for the return of the prodigal son, Slum Village.
The line up may have changed but the rhythmic
ebb and flow is always the same.
Rising from the rugged streets and rich musical tapestry of Detroit, Slum Village is poised to carry on the old school, funk, and soul-filled hip-hop torch of genre pioneers A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and the Pharcyde. Growing up in the Conant Garden neighborhood of Detroit and forming during high-school days at Detroit's Pershing High School, MCs Baatin, Jay Dee, and T3 quickly garnered praise and recognition in the local underground scene. In the mid-'90s, Jay Dee became part of the hip-hop elite as a member of the Ummah, the production team responsible for multiple hits by Q-Tip, A Tribe Called Quest, D'Angelo, the Pharcyde, De La Soul, and Common, as well as remixes for Janet Jackson and Brand New Heavies. In 1998, Slum Village gained further recognition as an opening act for A Tribe Called Quest's farewell tour. Two years later, after some record-industry politics, the group released Fantastic, Vol. 2, and an album featuring appearances from D'Angelo, Q-Tip and DJ Jazzy Jeff. For fans with an ear to the underground and a few questions concerning the whereabouts of Fantastic, Vol. 1, the trio assumed an alias (J-88) to release Best Kept Secret.