Rapper-producer Jay Dee left after the group's first national album, 2000's Fantastic, Vol. 2 (Barak) and rhymer Elzhi was added to the mix for 2002's Trinity (Past, Present And Future) (Barak/Capitol). Now, with the release of Slum Village's new album, the stunningly impressive Detroit Deli (Barak/Capitol), the group consists of just T3 and Elzhi. Throughout the changes, Slum Village's musical mission has remained constant: to deliver soul-stirring sonics that represent Detroit to the fullest. That vision is fully realized on Detroit Deli. Throughout the sensational 15-cut collection, T3 and Elzhi give listeners an intimate look at life in The D, from where they shop, hang with friends and eat to the type of cars they drive (check "Zoom") and what clothes they wear.
Slum Village represents the Midwest's funk heritage on the inspirational "Do You," which was produced by Jay Dee, and teams with Chicago's Kanye West on lead single "Selfish," a sly, piano-driven song where T3, Elzhi and West rap about their desire to have a monopoly with women. They then team with Ol' Dirty Bastard on the riotous "Dirty" about having to battle for a woman and deliver a Player's Hand Guide of sorts on the sensuous "Count The Ways," Both produced by B.R. Gunna.
Even though Slum Village excels at making this type of lighthearted music, they show on Detroit Deli that they also hit hard with more serious subject matter. On the moving, guitar-driven "Keep Holding On," they rap about people not losing faith in their lives, while on the stirring "Old Girl/Shining Star," T3 and Elzhi send a open letter of hope and support to single mothers working hard to survive.
"The inspiration came from my boy's niece who has a gang of kids and is out here struggling," Elzhi says. "She's stringing her kids around on the bus, just to get by. By me just looking at that, I'm like, 'I need to write a song because I know she's not the only one going through it.' Slum Village has never touched on ladies like that and everybody is calling girls hoes and Bs, dissing these ladies, so we wanted to touch the ladies in a different way."
The group also takes a different route on "Reunion." Jay Dee joins T3 and Elzhi on the insightful cut, which offers three different takes on the group's status. "It's like you're going through three state of minds at one time kind of in reverse," T3 says. "What we're trying to say is that we wish we were together, we might be together and then we're not together at all. We're trying to give you all the aspects of how people are coming at us, the type of stuff we're dealing with and kind of give you a glimpse of the stuff we're dealing with in the group."
Indeed, songs such as "Keep Holding On," "Old Girl/Shining Star" and "The Reunion" signal Slum Village's evolution; they mark the first time the group has let listeners in on their personal feelings. "I don't think people really know us and we never really touched on our emotions like that," T3 says. "We wanted to bring some realness, besides just the soul music. Elzhi, as a guy that saw Slum Village on the outside, he brought it to my attention that we never touched on serious topics and that we should try to touch on them more. I was with that and I have a lot to say, so why not?"
Detroit Deli also stands as Slum Village's most musically rich album to date. B.R. Gunna producers Black Milk and Young RJ, both 20 years old, handled the majority of the beats, while Kanye West produced "Selfish," Jay Dee handled "Do You" and T3 along with young RJ produced "Closer" and "Count The Ways." The beats are as divergent as the album's subject matter, ranging from soulful to futuristic, but they always remain powerful and innovative.
The same can be said for Slum Village's storied career. After releasing Fan-tas-tic Vol. 1 independently, Slum Village became one of hip-hop's hottest groups. While working on Fantastic vol. 2, they were joined in the studio by such luminaries as D'Angelo, Busta Rhymes, Kurupt, Pete Rock, and A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip, among others. The resulting album became an underground classic and Slum Village was seen as the second coming of the Native Tongues (A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers, De La Soul) by member Q-Tip, as well as fans and journalists alike.
Jay Dee left the group after Fantastic, vol. 2 in order to work on his solo career, but Slum Village pressed on, releasing in 2002 the Dirty District mixtape and later that year its third album and first with new member Elzhi, Trinity. Many fans looked at rapper-producer Jay Dee as the group's backbone, but Trinity proved that Slum Village could provide without its sonic architect, as that album's single "Tainted" became the group's biggest hit.
"We've always stuck to our guns," T3 says. "We've never tried to change to get commercial success. We always just did what we did and when you do what you do, eventually somebody's going to have to give you your respect for having the courage to do what you do."
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 B.R. Gunna, J Dilla and Kareem Riggins. The mixtape gives listeners the best of some of their material since Fantastic Vol. 1.
T3 has said in a recent 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, Wajeed , Kareem Riggins, Pete Rock and all the people who have been down with SV from day one.”
J Dilla died on February 10, 2006 after being diagnosed with TTP and Lupus.
Baatin died on July 31, 2009.
www.slumvillage.com
CB4
Slum Village Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To get the ass, it's part of the plan
You settin it up, you buyin her stuff
You do it for the love cause you bucklin up
MacNicholas, Muh-Fuck ready to
The S gin-u-ine, you invision the grind
She's already wit it, you just wanna dine
See now I'm going for mine
It's been a long time, this chick got me settin up the abbeyance
If you ask me, yo it's time to get down
I turn up the music, get some bass in my sound
Quick dash to the bathroom cologne me down
Now, it's time to relax
Back on the scene that's, MackNicholas mack
Tell her the place to be is the place where she's at
She's feelin' relaxed, my hands on her
I'm feelin' up this chick I'm feelin' up her flap jacks
Got a page from her girl said let me call Sha ne' back
Sha' ne said, "I had to leave the kids back at the flat girl"
So she just pull up the, had to go and that's wack
Yo check it out yo, follow
Felatio, interference
Permiscuous, homosapiens come one
Felatio, interference, permiscuous, homosapiens
Felatio, interference, permiscuous, homosapiens
Felatio
You shouldn't a gave me a huh in the first place
You should have put up the guard, since the first date
I know that it's hard, but it's not the worst case
I told you straight from the starts that I was thirsty
For more than just one or two
Shit, two or three, can do much more than just one could do
Listen, it's good for ya health
'Cause you know I ain't the one to repeat myself
repeat myself repeat myself repeat myself repeat myself (yo yo why you player hating?)
I knew it was a reason for the separation
Girl said you told her that I was a super,
See I ain't even know, that you could stoop so low
What the fuck you over here fo'
What, the girl she in the room what, there's the door
I'll tell her that you came and that you said hello, what up
Felatio, interference
Permiscuous, homosapiens come on
Felatio, interference
Permiscuous, homosapiens
Felatio, interference
Permiscuous, homosapiens
Felatio
I wonder what happened to my nigga, cock block
I hate to see ya young ox, but up in a box
He became a dread 'cause he had a lock
On the flock in the place all on my jock
'Cause I had grace
Told Cock Block he could hop many women
Upon them never ever release your semen
Upon them is a materialized demon
Illustrious, succubus, do not trust
They see you when you coming she know you wanna
Now she got you sipping on the clitorus, juice
Some of them juices is poisonous, juice
Should have took notes, when the master spoke
Places in the pussy, you can provoke
You got what you want
Your soul is ghost, ghost, ghost, ghost
Felatio, interference
Permiscuous, homosapiens (come one)
Felatio, interference
Permiscuous, homosapiens (come on)
(Felatio, interference
Permiscuous, homosapiens
Felatio, interference
Permiscuous, homosapiens
Felatio, interference
Permiscuous, homosapiens
Felatio, interference
Permiscuous, homosapiens
Felatio, interference
Permiscuous, homosapiens
Slum Village's song CB4 is about the sexual desires and experiences of men. The lyrics describe the lengths men will go to in order to obtain sexual pleasure, including buying gifts and setting up romantic dates. The chorus features the repeated phrases "Felatio, interference, permiscuous, homosapiens" which serve to reinforce the song's sexual themes.
The lyrics also touch on the problematic nature of sexual relationships, with lines like "You shouldn't have gave me a huh in the first place / You should have put up the guard since the first date." The singer presents himself as someone who is simply driven by his sexual desires, with lines like "I know that it's hard but it's not the worst case / I told you straight from the starts that I was thirsty." The song also features references to past sexual experiences and encounters, including the singer's experiences with other women and the death of a friend known as Cock Block.
One interesting fact about this song is that it was produced by J Dilla, a highly influential hip hop producer known for his work with artists like A Tribe Called Quest and Common. Additionally, the song's title refers to the 1993 mockumentary film CB4, which parodied the gangsta rap and hip hop cultures of the time. The song features a sample from the song "N.T." by Kool & the Gang, which has also been sampled by artists like A Tribe Called Quest and Gang Starr.
Line by Line Meaning
Everytime you try to do what you can
Whenever you try to impress someone and do what you can.
To get the ass, it's part of the plan
Trying to have sex is part of the plan.
You settin it up, you buyin her stuff
You are setting things up and buying her things to impress her.
You do it for the love cause you bucklin up
You do it because you are in love and will do anything.
MacNicholas, Muh-Fuck ready to
Referring to the artist as MackNicholas, and he is ready.
The S gin-u-ine, you invision the grind
The singer is the genuine article, and you can see the work he puts in.
She's already wit it, you just wanna dine
She is already interested, and you just want to take her out.
See now I'm going for mine
The artist is going to take what he wants.
Plus to tell the truth y'all
In addition, the truth is.
It's been a long time, this chick got me settin up the abbeyance
It's been a while since he has been with a girl, so he sets the stage for the night.
If you ask me, yo it's time to get down
If you ask the singer, it's time to start having sex.
I turn up the music, get some bass in my sound
He turns the music up to create a mood.
Quick dash to the bathroom cologne me down
He quickly heads to the bathroom to apply cologne.
Now, it's time to relax
Now it's time to start feeling comfortable.
Back on the scene that's, MackNicholas mack
Referring to the singer as MackNicholas on the prowl.
Tell her the place to be is the place where she's at
Informing her that being with him is the best place to be.
She's feelin' relaxed, my hands on her
She is feeling relaxed with his hands on her.
I'm feelin' up this chick I'm feelin' up her flap jacks
He is feeling her up and enjoying her body.
Got a page from her girl said let me call Sha ne' back
He received a message from her friend asking her to call Sha' ne back.
Sha' ne said, "I had to leave the kids back at the flat girl"
Sha' ne had to leave her children behind.
So she just pull up the, had to go and that's wack
She leaves without telling him.
Yo check it out yo, follow
Attention, listen up.
Felatio, interference
Oral sex, distractions.
Permiscuous, homosapiens come one
Promiscuous human beings, come on.
You shouldn't a gave me a huh in the first place
You should not have shown interest from the beginning if you were not willing to go all the way.
You should have put up the guard, since the first date
You should have been more cautious since the first date.
I know that it's hard, but it's not the worst case
The situation may be difficult, but it's not the worst possible outcome.
I told you straight from the starts that I was thirsty
The artist was upfront from the very beginning about wanting more from the relationship.
For more than just one or two
He wanted more partners than just one or two.
Shit, two or three, can do much more than just one could do
Having two or three partners is more fulfilling than just having one.
Listen, it's good for ya health
It is beneficial to your health.
'Cause you know I ain't the one to repeat myself
The artist will not continue to say the same thing over and over again.
repeat myself repeat myself repeat myself repeat myself repeat myself (yo yo why you player hating?)
He repeats himself multiple times to emphasize his point, while someone asks why he is being negative.
I knew it was a reason for the separation
He knew there was a reason they separated.
Girl said you told her that I was a super,
The girl told him that he said he was a superstar.
See I ain't even know, that you could stoop so low
He did not know the girl would go so far as to make up lies about him.
What the fuck you over here fo'
Why are you here if you are just going to lie?
What, the girl she in the room what, there's the door
She is in the room, so she can just leave through the door.
I'll tell her that you came and that you said hello, what up
He will tell the girl that the other girl stopped by and said hello.
I wonder what happened to my nigga, cock block
Thinking about his friend, Cock Block, who used to interfere with his relationships.
I hate to see ya young ox, but up in a box
He does not like seeing his young friend in a coffin.
He became a dread 'cause he had a lock
Cock Block's interference caused him to become paranoid and possessive.
On the flock in the place all on my jock
Cock Block caused problems with other women and made them all pay attention to the singer.
'Cause I had grace
The artist had a certain charm.
Told Cock Block he could hop many women
The artist told Cock Block he could impress many women.
Upon them never ever release your semen
He told Cock Block not to impregnate any women.
Upon them is a materialized demon
Impregnating women leads to problems.
Illustrious, succubus, do not trust
Referring to women as seductive and untrustworthy.
They see you when you coming she know you wanna
Women can see that men want to have sex with them.
Now she got you sipping on the clitorus, juice
The woman now has the man under her control, like a drink under her spell.
Some of them juices is poisonous, juice
Some women can be toxic and damaging.
Should have took notes, when the master spoke
The artist advises his friend to take notes from someone more experienced.
Places in the pussy, you can provoke
Certain places in a woman's body can be stimulated.
You got what you want
The singer got what he wanted.
Your soul is ghost, ghost, ghost, ghost
You are left feeling empty and unsatisfied.
Felatio, interference
Oral sex, distractions.
Permiscuous, homosapiens come one
Promiscuous human beings, come on.
Felatio, interference
Oral sex, distractions.
Permiscuous, homosapiens
Promiscuous human beings.
Felatio, interference
Oral sex, distractions.
Permiscuous, homosapiens
Promiscuous human beings.
Felatio, interference
Oral sex, distractions.
Permiscuous, homosapiens
Promiscuous human beings.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES DEWITT YANCEY, R.L. ALTMAN III, TITUS GLOVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Trent Yates
Happy 48th birthday dilla 🎉 🎉 🎉!!! Remember you was is and will always be a hip hop beatmaking legend, and one of my favorites.
remainhumble
After a mere 10+ years, I took a look at the lyrics and omg Baatin. You were just it: a lyrical wordsmid, a teacher, a believer and so on. Forever will you and Dilla be remembered as Kings of knowledge !!!!
Trent Yates
Dilla had them beats that make you say DAAAAAMN! This album is a classic
A. Brown
The first 10 seconds had me hooked from day one, this that grown folks hip hop
Flying Island
So true ❤️
Tapeworm
Class of 90’ in da house
Ted Leanse
this song is one of my favourites on the album. rip dilla and baatin :(((( forever missed
Victoria Appiagei
Song Dope music awesome Cool good Listen wow powerful best ever real hip-hop and j dilla baatin forever Music good poetry
Flying Island
Me too ❤️
eddasilva
I love how they are group but so unique individuals