(New Interview)- @slumvillage “What Inspires Slum Village” by @TheBeeShine

Slum Village is a hip hop group from Detroit, MI. Founded in the early 90s by Baatin, T3, and J Dilla, the three were friends that grew up together. Dilla joined the production team, The Ummah, which produced the two last studio albums by A Tribe Called Quest. In 1996, Slum Village recorded their first album, Fantastic Vol. 1, which was heard by Q-Tip and led to the group opening for A Tribe Called Quest on their 1998 Farewell Tour. In 1998, Slum released the album Best Kept Secret under the name J-88 due to record label issues. In 2000, they released Fantastic Vol. 2, which featured Busta Rhymes, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Common, D’Angelo, Pete Rock, Kurupt, Q-Tip, and more. In 2001, J Dilla pursued a solo career while still helping Young RJ with production. Baatin and T3 recorded the album Trinity with Elzhi featured on several songs and Dwele on their most popular hit, “Tainted”. In 2002, Dirty District was released, a compilation of songs by Detroit emcees, produced by T3 and Young RJ. In 2004, Detroit Deli was released, featuring Kanye West and John Legend. In 2005, Slum released Prequel To A Classic, a mixtape of unreleased material. Soon after ,they recorded the self-titled album, Slum Village, with production features from Black Milk. In 2006, founding member J Dilla passed away from lupus and the group took a four-year hiatus. In 2009, T3, Baatin, Illa J, Young RJ, Elzhi, and RJ Rice reunited to record the album, Villa Manifesto. The album was released in 2010 after Baatin had passed away and Elzhi pursued his solo career. In 2012, Slum Village released the mixtape, Dirty Slums, featuring De La Soul, Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh, Skyzoo, Phife, and more. In 2013, Evolution was released, featuring Havoc, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and more.