Slum Village

All Music Guide:

Rising from the rugged streets and rich musical tapestry of Detroit, Slum Village were 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 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, 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 again, but "Tainted" broke the 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. A year later, Slum Village were off the label, making the move back to the independent Barak. The mixtape Prequel to a Classic announced the impending September 2005 release of the duo's self-titled full-length. Within the next four years, the duo was dealt a pair of serious personal blows when both Jay Dee and Baatin passed away, but they persevered and released Villa Manifesto in 2010.

Wikipedia:

Slum Village is a hip hop group from Conant Gardens, Detroit, Michigan.

The group was formed by three members: rappers Baatin (d. 31 July 2009) and T3, plus rapper and producer J Dilla (1974–2006). J Dilla left in 2002 to pursue a solo career with MCA Records. Elzhi joined in his absence, after which Baatin also left due to health complications.

J Dilla era [edit]

Baatin, T3, and J Dilla grew up together in the Conant Gardens neighborhood of Detroit and attended Pershing High School. The group steadily became popular in Detroit's underground hip hop scene. J Dilla also became a member of the production team known as The Ummah, which produced the two last A Tribe Called Quest studio albums, as well as hits for a number of R&B and hip hop musicians. Slum Village's first album, 1996's Fantastic, Vol. 1, was not officially released until 2005 but highly sought after in underground circles. In 1998, the group opened for another hip hop trio, the above-mentioned A Tribe Called Quest, on their farewell tour.

Originally signed to the now defunct A&M record label, the group was forced to postpone the release of their official debut album due to label politics, but in June 2000 they released Fantastic, Vol. 2 on GoodVibe Recordings. Also that year they released an album called Best Kept Secret, under the alias J-88, which featured remixes and leftover material from Fantastic, Vol. 1.

Baatin era [edit]

Titus Glover (March 8, 1974–July 31, 2009), also known as Baatin, was an American rapper who emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michigan part of the rap group Slum Village.

Baatin got his start on the mic in 1986. In the early '90s, he befriended the now deceased rapper Proof (of D12), and would accompany him to hip-hop nights at Stanley's Café and 1515 Broadway. In 1991, Baatin's hip-hop group, Ssenepod (dopeness spelled backward), changed its name to Slum Village, which at the time, was made up of J Dilla, Baatin and T3. It was then that Glover first christened himself Scandalous-T.

He remained as an active member of the group until the early 2000s. In 2002, shortly after the release of the group's third album, Baatin began to experience health problems, which interfered with the group's music and touring performances. In regard to his health problems, he said:

He soon went to the hospital and a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Following this, he was no longer part of the group. He stated that he was "kicked out while in hospital", receiving a termination letter that was signed by both T3 and Elzhi, while in the hospital. He also held the group's label responsible. In several interviews he stated:

After leaving the group, he began recording as a solo artist. During this period, he went by the name "Baatin the Slumlord." In 2008, the dispute was resolved and Baatin reunited with T3 and Elzhi, and worked on the group's sixth album Villa Manifesto.

Elzhi era [edit]

For the 2002 release of Trinity (Past, Present and Future) on Barak/Capitol Records, T3 brought in Elzhi to join the group as J Dilla left to focus on his solo career. The album was a moderate success and contained the single "Tainted", produced by Karriem Riggins and featuring Dwele. Also in 2002, Dirty District, a compilation of songs by Detroit rappers largely produced by T3 and "RJ" Rice, was released.

The group then became a duo consisting of T3 and Elzhi, when Baatin became sick touring in France shortly before the release of their 2004 album, Detroit Deli (A Taste of Detroit) and departed to seek treatment. The album included the hit single, "Selfish", produced by Kanye West and featuring John Legend. The song samples a part of the intro to the hit song "Call Me" by Aretha Franklin. After parting ways with Capitol Records in 2005, they released Prequel to a Classic, a mixtape of mostly previously unreleased material, followed by a self-titled release in October of the same year.

Former member J Dilla died on February 10, 2006 after being diagnosed with TTP and Lupus.

T3 has said in an interview that Slum Village has reunited with Baatin and has added Illa J (J Dilla's Brother) to bring a Dilla effect. He is quoted "Slum Village is totally not that at all," T3 adds. "I'm incorporating Baatin, and I'm putting Illa J in — not to take Dilla's place, but just to have that essence of Dilla on this new project. I'm pulling together all the producers that we've used before — Black Milk, Waajeed, Karriem Riggins, Pete Rock and all the people who have been down with SV from day one."

Future projects by Slum Village include an album made with unused J Dilla beats, and an album produced mostly by Black Milk.

Baatin died on July 31, 2009 at the age of 35. He was found in his home on 14000 Anglin Street in northeast Detroit. Medical examiners have said that there were no visible signs of trauma or foul play. The cause of death currently remains unknown. His death deeply affected the Detroit hip-hop scene.

In July 2010, Elzhi claimed he was removed from the group, by the "poison" of Slum Village, RJ Rice.

Villa Manifesto was released under Koch Records on July 27, 2010, featuring Baatin.

Solo work [edit]

After his leaving the group c. 2000, J Dilla had a successful solo career before his death in 2006.

Elzhi has released four mixtapes: Witness My Growth, Europass, The Leftovers: Unmixed tape and Elmatic and one album, The Preface, which was released on Fat Beats Records in August 2008. A demo tape with Dwele titled The Breakfast Club has also circulated.

Baatin's album Titus: Chapter 10, Verse 13 was to be released on the label Operation Unknown but has not yet seen official released.

T3 released a mixtape in 2006 titled Olio.

J Dilla's brother, Illa J, released an album titled Yancey Boys for Delicious Vinyl in 2008.

Collaborated with Robert Strauss on track 'Girl' in 2007 released on Robert's Album 'Mr Feelings' (BBE)