Chances are, if you are anywhere near the Detroit music scene, you have heard of the influential hip hop trio that makes up Slum Village. The group was founded in the early 90's by 3 childhood friends: Baatin, T3, rapper and producer Jay Dee a.k.a. J Dilla, who all grew up together in the Conant Gardens neighborhood of Detroit, MI. After leaving Pershing High School, the trio began to forge a path into the Detroit underground hip hop scene and quickly found themselves steadily gaining popularity, where they originally went by the name Ssenepod. Dopeness spelled backwards.
In 1991 changed their name to Slum Village, recording demos which turned into their first album Vol. 1", released in 1996 on cassette which was recorded in J Dilla’s basement and RJ Rice Studios which landed Slum Village their first record deal in 1998 with Barak .
In 2000, J Dilla made the decision to leave the group to pursue his solo career, but still hung around helping his portage Young RJ with production. Baatin and T3 started work on their next album "Trinity" through Barak/Capital Records (2002). This album would feature their first commercial single "Tainted" which ft an unknown Dwele.
In 2001, “Dirty District”, a compilation of songs by Detroit rappers largely produced by T3 and Young RJ, was released, on Barak Records.
2002 Trinity included hit song “Tainted”
2004 album, “Detroit Deli” (A Taste of Detroit), (Barak Records/ Capitol), the album included the hit single “Selfish” produced by Kanye West, featuring John Legend.
2005, the release of “Prequel To a Classic”, a mix tape with production from Young RJ and Black Milk also releasing their Self Titled album Slum Village on Barak Records.
In 2009, Slum started production on their next album, “Villa Manifesto” on Neastra Music.
In 2010, the album "Villa Manifesto" was released under Ne'astra Music / Koch Records.
2011/2012 Slum Village new mixtape “Dirty Slums Vol. 1 & Vol. 2” presented by DJ Mick Boogie featuring artist such as Rapper Big Pooh, De La Soul, Focus, Skyzoo, Phonte, and Phife, having over 300,000 downloads on Ne’astra Music.
2013/2014 “B-Sides” and Vintage albums were released on Neastra Music
2015/2016 “YES” was released, produced by Jay Dee a.k.a. J. Dilla and Young RJ (Ne’astra Music).
2018 Slum’s new release titled “Lost Scrolls Vol. 2” is slated for release April 20, 2018
Containing lost music and mixed from their critically acclaimed album “Fantastic Vol. 2”, performed by the original Trio. (Neastra Music)
2023 Slum Village / Larry June / The Dramatics single “Just Like You”
2024 Single “Request”
Slum Village continues their journey with their Longest Line Up (12 yrs.), with invigorated energy as T3 and Grammy nominated producer Young RJ hold down the legacy.
