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
Closer
Slum Village Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can we get closer? Yeah, baby
Seems like I've waited to know
Can we get closer?
Girl you should come up for the week
I'll make you cum from the tub to the sink
Rubbin' your feet in a luxury suit
And I'ma make ya toes curl up like they are earlin'
I'll whisper in your ear, tell ya something
Stick my tongue in ya bellybutton
Reach down below, ya know I'm well sprung
Hit ya from the back to get ya calfs tremblin'
And pull ya hair 'til it's straight, you'll look half Indian
Laughing, giggling with champagne bubbles tickle ya nose
Before you I wouldn't throw my old nickels at hoe's
I'm just glad we can get close, for breakfast in the mornin'
We can fly out to Paris France for the French toast
You made me wait so long and that's a good thing
Now let me make ya candy rain' dampen your thong
I hit it off like a champion strong, for real
Your still bumpin' and grindin' even after the song but all along I, I
There's somethin' I wanted to know
Can we get closer? Yeah, baby
Seems like I've waited to know
Can we get closer?
Let me talk to ya, feel me for a sec
I love ya sassy ways I must confess
Ya lookin' good girl, I hope you into sex
Sort of a model type with a splash of innocence
Ya fast charms, ass like ya mums
I love that Tiffany charm that's hangin' from ya arm
And if we get it on I'ma take her back to the fort
Show her how I run game like an athlete in sport
Sweety I can see that money ain't a thing
Been doin' this for a while no need to explain it
Ya doin' swell girl, ya never doin' poorly
Ya know I'm hoppin' in whips just look at the jewelry
Plus you need a man in your life
Yo, someone who can hit it right, and plus got the right doe
Plus I'll treat you like a queen
Yo your place or mine I was thinkin' we should get close
There's somethin' I wanted to know
Can we get closer? Yeah, baby
Seems like I've waited to know
Can we get closer?
A lot of cats have tried it
I like to touch the na na, I
I know you act real shy but
Know you get down
You are not that type we go
Just keep it low and let it go
No need to act up 'cause, I
Know you get down
Can we get closer tonight
I'll make you cry
Touch you inside baby, I
Make you get down
Hold you very close
With or without clothes
Public or closed doors
We will get closer, yeah
There's somethin' I wanted to know
Can we get closer? Yeah, baby
Seems like I've waited to know
Can we get closer?
There's somethin' I wanted to know
Can we get closer? Yeah, baby
Seems like I've waited to know
Can we get closer?
The lyrics to Slum Village's "Closer" express the desire to deepen a romantic relationship and become physically intimate with the other person. The song opens with the singer expressing his curiosity about whether they can "get closer" and proceeds to describe how he would like to make the other person feel good. He invites them to spend time together, promising to lavish them with luxuries and sexual pleasure. Throughout the song, he praises the other person's physical appeal and suggests that they have chemistry together. He reassures them that he will treat them well and that he can provide for them financially, making it clear that he wants to take a more committed stance in their relationship.
At its core, "Closer" is a song about passion and intimacy. The lyrics describe a deep physical and emotional connection, with the singer expressing his desire to please and satisfy the other person. They also touch upon themes of luxury and indulgence, with the singer offering expensive treats and worldly adventures to his lover. The song's tone is one of seduction, with the singer using his words to entice the other person into a closer relationship.
Overall, the lyrics to "Closer" are straightforward and explicit, presenting a crystal-clear picture of the singer's desires and intentions. The song's message is one of emotional connection and physical pleasure, with a hint of extravagance and luxury thrown in for good measure.
Line by Line Meaning
There's somethin' I wanted to know
The singer wants to ask a question.
Can we get closer? Yeah, baby
The singer wants to become more intimate with their partner.
Seems like I've waited to know
The singer has been anticipating asking this question for a while.
Girl you should come up for the week
The artist wants their partner to spend time with them.
I'll make you cum from the tub to the sink
The artist is confident that they can please their partner sexually.
Rubbin' your feet in a luxury suit
The singer wants to pamper their partner.
Make sure you come with nothin' on just a long shearlin'
The singer wants their partner to come over with minimal clothing to add to the sexual tension.
And I'ma make ya toes curl up like they are earlin'
The artist is confident that they can give their partner a physically pleasurable experience.
I'll whisper in your ear, tell ya something
The artist wants to be intimate with their partner both physically and emotionally.
Stick my tongue in ya bellybutton
The artist wants to engage in sexually suggestive acts with their partner.
Reach down below, ya know I'm well sprung
The singer is well-endowed and wants to please their partner sexually.
Hit ya from the back to get ya calfs tremblin'
The artist wants to engage in sexual intercourse with their partner that is physically intense.
And pull ya hair 'til it's straight, you'll look half Indian
The singer wants to engage in rough, passionate sex with their partner.
Laughing, giggling with champagne bubbles tickle ya nose
The singer wants to have a fun, relaxed time with their partner.
Before you I wouldn't throw my old nickels at hoe's
The singer values their partner more than any other person they have been with in the past.
I'm just glad we can get close, for breakfast in the mornin'
The artist is happy to be able to spend time with their partner and hopes to continue doing so in the future.
We can fly out to Paris France for the French toast
The artist wants to take their partner on luxurious trips and experiences.
You made me wait so long and that's a good thing
The singer is now glad that they waited to be with their current partner.
Now let me make ya candy rain' dampen your thong
The singer wants to sexually please their partner.
I hit it off like a champion strong, for real
The artist is confident in their sexual abilities.
Your still bumpin' and grindin' even after the song but all along I, I
The artist believes that their intimate connection with their partner will continue beyond their time together.
Let me talk to ya, feel me for a sec
The artist wants to communicate with their partner and be emotionally close to them.
I love ya sassy ways I must confess
The singer is attracted to their partner's personality and confidence.
Ya lookin' good girl, I hope you into sex
The artist is attracted to their partner and hopes that they share a strong sexual connection.
Sort of a model type with a splash of innocence
The singer finds their partner physically attractive and appreciates their personality.
Ya fast charms, ass like ya mums
The singer is attracted to their partner's physical features.
I love that Tiffany charm that's hangin' from ya arm
The singer likes the accessories that their partner wears.
And if we get it on I'ma take her back to the fort
The artist plans to engage in sexual activity with their partner.
Show her how I run game like an athlete in sport
The artist is confident in their sexual abilities and wants to please their partner.
Sweety I can see that money ain't a thing
The singer is not concerned with their partner's financial status.
Been doin' this for a while no need to explain it
The singer is experienced with relationships and sex.
Ya doin' swell girl, ya never doin' poorly
The artist thinks highly of their partner and recognizes their successes.
Ya know I'm hoppin' in whips just look at the jewelry
The artist is wealthy and wants to show off their wealth to their partner.
Plus you need a man in your life
The artist believes that their partner needs them.
Yo, someone who can hit it right, and plus got the right doe
The singer is confident that they can meet their partner's sexual and financial needs.
Plus I'll treat you like a queen
The artist plans to treat their partner with respect and kindness.
Yo your place or mine I was thinkin' we should get close
The singer wants to spend time and become physically intimate with their partner.
A lot of cats have tried it
Many others have attempted to pursue the singer's partner.
I like to touch the na na, I
The singer is sexually attracted to their partner.
I know you act real shy but
The artist believes that their partner is reserved and introverted.
Know you get down
The artist believes that their partner is sexually inclined despite their shyness.
You are not that type we go
The singer believes that their partner is different and special.
Just keep it low and let it go
The singer wants their relationship to remain private and discreet.
No need to act up 'cause, I
The artist does not want their partner to feel pressured or uncomfortable.
Can we get closer tonight
The artist wants to become more intimately involved with their partner.
I'll make you cry
The artist is confident that they can give their partner a sexually pleasurable experience.
Touch you inside baby, I
The singer plans to engage in sexual activity with their partner.
Make you get down
The artist plans to sexually please their partner.
Hold you very close
The singer wants to be physically close to their partner.
With or without clothes
The singer is comfortable being physically intimate with their partner in various states of dress and undress.
Public or closed doors
The singer is comfortable with being intimate with their partner in various locations.
We will get closer, yeah
The artist wants to become closer and more intimate with their partner.
There's somethin' I wanted to know
The artist still wants an answer to their original question.
Can we get closer? Yeah, baby
The singer wants to become more intimately involved with their partner.
Seems like I've waited to know
The singer has been anticipating asking this question for a while.
Can we get closer?
The artist wants to become more intimately involved with their partner.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDWELE GARDNER, CHRISTOPHER JASPER, ERNIE ISLEY, JASON POWERS, MARVIN ISLEY, O'KELLY ISLEY, R.L. III ALTMAN, RALPH II RICE, RONALD ISLEY, RUDOLPH ISLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind