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
It's On
Slum Village Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Full blast
Smash
Everything, women wiggle that ass
All my niggas analyze the color contrast
Live parallel, bound, shake control that ass
Hocus, pocus, focus
Smoke this watch Busta Rhymes the dopest
Slum Village hot shit and you know this
Now at dates we talk funny and floss money
Jiffy shot that whip down when the day's sunny
Busta Rhymes and Slum Village will make a pilgrimage
From Detroit all the way back to the Brooklyn Bridge
Black bats and axe the crime rhyme spit in my max
Spinning my wax
I'm feeling one time
Blow your mind, shine, blind all y'all at the same time
Regulate chickens I always come and take mine
(Do it)
What it's all about
(Stop)
What it's all about
(Do it)
What it's all about
(Stop)
What it's all about
It's on now
We Worldwide
Roots crew what up
Yo
I'm every MC by the name of Jay-Dee (Do it)
Yeah that's the way it is nigga get your money (Do it)
Detroit the Metropolis
Superfly why try ain't no stoppin' this shit
SV stay on top of this
If your not bloppin' this niggas poppin' the (Clits)
It's all real
Nah, ain't no props from this
Stay in the mix like Pappadapolis
Get it
In your doppler
Get it
The proper shit
SV, Flipmode your not stoppin' this
(What it all about)
Stop
(What it's all about)
Do it
(What it's all about)
Stop
(What it's all about)
Do it
(What it's all about)
Yo
Live on wax
With the extra raps
See the S been doin' this shit since way back
Say that, when it comes to rap
We got a knack for that
And for that we brag
Also we rap so this loot could stack
Grippin the phat Caddilac
With the diamond back
If you was to ask me where it's at
Said it's all about the cheese and these SV cats
On the real
The real Detroit rap
Player haters get the actual finesse it lacks
See, the words you speak can get you caught in a trap
Don't write your own raps, somebody else do that
That's word up
(Do it)
What it's all about
(Stop)
What it's all about
(Do it)
What it's all about
(Stop)
What it's all about
East mac Nicholas snakes don't give a fuck
Frank Nitti got no pity on these niggas for what
My nigga Dane working up the game he from Earth
Show these niggas how you get your money's worth
I'm movin' in position with my mutual fund
I take it out in seconds and you don't know its done
I'm every MC plus 3 plus 1
All around the world giving suckers the runs
Call me Bismol with the Pepto shit
I guess that you could say that we're the ultimate
Flipmode Squad and the Slum's the shit
Come on everybody let me see you get down
Come on everybody, Motown
(Stop)
What it's all about
(Do it)
What it's all about
(Stop)
What it's all about
(Do it)
What it's all about
Makin' you bounce
My niggas Slum Village makin' you bounce
Busta Rhymes y'all makin' you bounce
It's Flipmode squad baby makin' you bounce
Niggas in the world, makin' you bounce
All my Bitches in the world you know we're makin' you bounce
Yo, yo
Yo we makin' you bounce
Just shake your little ass girl makin' you bounce
(Do it)
What it's all about
(Stop)
What it's all about
The lyrics to Slum Village's "It's On" feature a focus on rap's typical bragging rights - money, a luxurious lifestyle, and the ability to control and attract women. The verses are shared by different rappers, starting with a description of a wild party where women are dancing and the guys are watching. The second verse then boasts about the rapper's skills and money-making abilities, while the third verse talks about the disadvantages of lying in rap lyrics and emphasizes the group's talent and authenticity.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of "bouncing" or having a good time, both in terms of dancing and enjoying the lifestyle that comes with fame and success. The repeated phrases of "Do it" and "Stop" seem to be meant to emphasize the energy of the music and the party atmosphere described in the lyrics.
Overall, the song is a typical example of rap's focus on material wealth and sexual prowess, but it also emphasizes the importance of authenticity in the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
First class
We are the best of the best and top-tier.
Full blast
We are going all out and giving it our all.
Smash
We are bringing the heat and hitting hard.
Everything, women wiggle that ass
We want to see women dance and have a good time.
All my niggas analyze the color contrast
My crew pays attention to detail and we notice everything.
Live parallel, bound, shake control that ass
We live in sync and dance in harmony.
Hocus, pocus, focus
We are in the zone and focused on our craft.
Smoke this watch Busta Rhymes the dopest
We are smoking weed and listening to Busta Rhymes who is the best.
Hit y'all niggas with the bomb diagnosis
We are going to blow your minds with our music.
Slum Village hot shit and you know this
We know we are good and we want you to know it too.
Now at dates we talk funny and floss money
We talk in a unique way and we are successful and wealthy.
Jiffy shot that whip down when the day's sunny
We love driving fast cars on sunny days.
Busta Rhymes and Slum Village will make a pilgrimage
Busta Rhymes and Slum Village will travel together on a musical journey.
From Detroit all the way back to the Brooklyn Bridge
We are going from our hometown of Detroit to Brooklyn, New York.
Black bats and axe the crime rhyme spit in my max
We are using our words and music to fight against crime.
Spinning my wax
We are playing our vinyl records and DJing.
I'm feeling one time
We are feeling ourselves and our music in this moment.
Blow your mind, shine, blind all y'all at the same time
Our music is going to blow your minds and impress you.
Regulate chickens I always come and take mine
I will always come out on top and claim what's mine.
What it's all about
The focus is on the music and the party atmosphere.
It's on now
The party has started and we're bringing our best.
We Worldwide
Our music and influence spread all around the world.
Roots crew what up
Shoutout to our fellow musicians in the Roots crew.
I'm every MC by the name of Jay-Dee
I am the best and most versatile MC with the name Jay-Dee.
Yeah that's the way it is nigga get your money
That's just the way it is, so go out and get your money.
Detroit the Metropolis
Detroit is a bustling city.
Superfly why try ain't no stoppin' this shit
We are unstoppable and Superfly.
SV stay on top of this
Slum Village is always on top of their game.
If your not bloppin' this niggas poppin' the (Clits)
If you're not bouncing to our music, something's wrong with you.
It's all real
Our music and lives are authentic and genuine.
Nah, ain't no props from this
We don't need props or validation.
Stay in the mix like Pappadapolis
We stay in the scene and relevant like Pappadapolis, a popular food spot.
Get it
Understand it or grab it.
In your doppler
In your car or vehicle.
Get it
Understand it or grab it.
The proper shit
The real and authentic stuff.
Flipmode your not stoppin' this
Flipmode Squad can't compete with us.
My nigga Dane working up the game he from Earth
Dane, a friend, is hustling and making things happen.
Show these niggas how you get your money's worth
Demonstrate how you make the most out of your hard work.
I'm movin' in position with my mutual fund
I am investing wisely and moving up financially.
I take it out in seconds and you don't know its done
I am so fast and efficient, you won't even notice what has happened.
I'm every MC plus 3 plus 1
I am the best MC, plus three more, plus one more on top of that.
All around the world giving suckers the runs
Our music is so good it gives our haters a run for their money.
Call me Bismol with the Pepto shit
We are the cure and relief for all your ailments and problems.
I guess that you could say that we're the ultimate
We are the best and unbeatable in every way.
Come on everybody let me see you get down
Everyone should dance and party with us.
Come on everybody, Motown
Everyone, let's party in the city of Detroit.
Makin' you bounce
Our music is making you dance and jump around.
Busta Rhymes y'all makin' you bounce
Busta Rhymes is also making you dance and jump around.
It's Flipmode squad baby makin' you bounce
The whole Flipmode Squad is also making you dance and jump around.
Niggas in the world, makin' you bounce
Everyone, everywhere is making you dance and jump around.
All my Bitches in the world you know we're makin' you bounce
All women in the world are dancing and jumping around with us.
Just shake your little ass girl makin' you bounce
Women, dance and enjoy the party with us.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES DEWITT YANCEY, KEVIN DUANE MCCORD, R.L. ALTMAN III, TITUS GLOVER, TREVOR SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ColdCorner
This and their self titled album from 2005 is so dope. 2004 & 2005 amazing years in hip hop anyway
DaGanjaMonsta
ITS ON
IronBuddha38
This song go hard
Knoxdahustle
Dope
Respect2theFallen
Breed with SV fasho :)