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
Reunion
Slum Village Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You thought we broke up but we was just reassemblin'
Ladies and gentlemen you barewitnessin
The villa on some classic shit like vans emblems
It's the guerrilla pimps, we bustin denim in the club
That you can't wear ya denim in
Freakin a rhyme til every line ends with a then and than
You dont wanna rump and stomp in Timberlands
And all of my peeps that rep more D than 12 Eminems
Who let the dogs out and let Dilla in?
Fuck wit this is ya loss Gilligan
Sounds similar I'm not feelin 'em
Get the balls like Venus in Wimbelon
While I'm in them fly whips five Will and them
On some Kim and them All About the Benjamins
Still here
Still here, never left, just switched the style up
Came through, made moves to get the crowd up
Its hard time "V" time nigga ya times up
Get rowed up for the Reunion
L kill'n em, Dilla kill'n 'em
Maybe we could hook up again back wit 'Tin and them
Together again like armed forces on some Fantastic Four or Four Horsemen
Can't do it without ya crew boy
Guess who boy, comin' through with two boy
Nobody but us that rap in a clutch
Passed and switched it up like kids in double dutch
Some couldn't feel our style or feel flow
Never talked our slang, never walked our road
All they know is these niggas is tainted
Don't know about those rovers that candy painted
We've been miss quoted, miss construed, miss understood, and over used
So we take this time to set the record straight
Critics skipped and did it anyway
Now you hear our raps wit Dilla and you all on our team
Till you heard 'Tin was gone was apart of the scheme
See! We still got love where was you at at?
Just cuz a nigga go solo think we turn our backs
Maybe we will reunite on some shit like that
But I gotta set it straight 'fore you twists the facts nigga
Still here, never left, just switched the style up
Came through, made moves to get the crowd up
Its hard time "V" time nigga ya times up
Get rowed up for the Reunion
Yo T kill'n em, Three kill'n 'em
You thought we broke up and ya you rite we really did
I wrote a verse that I recited it was hot
But I had to rewrite cause I thought we was united and we not
But though all the love that I got for you
Partna I picked apart ya words and I'm shocked in the interviews
I been accused of not carin'
When the city threw your furniture out
Its not fair when I'm learnin about how stress you fell in a article
Forget a rhyme I'm just as real when I talk to you
And you know that we share Kodak moments
I wish we could go back
But don't act like you wasn't bugin out like a phone tap
Chasin' cars in the street
I saw you throw up hard in the sink
Then after hit the bar for a drink, who asked you to slow down?
Even though niggas told me you was gon' clown
But I tried, and you know I cried when I saw you wild'n at the State Theater
In the door by the side
Throw you in the trunk and found a preacher for you
Cause I thought you had unlawful demons on you
Sinkin fast in the deepest soil
Ya parents finally got you some help
You came out seemin normal and
I heard you on medication
Had a illness you couldn't heal with herbs and meditation
And believe me; Me and T, Three kept it low
Don't take this as a dis this is just to let you know that I love you
But watch the company you keep
Sware niggas don't care, but they love you in the streets
Get ya mind right nigga
In Slum Village's song Reunion, the members are proclaiming their return to the music scene. The opening verse emphasizes that they never really disbanded, and that they just needed to reassemble themselves. The lyrics suggest that they have gone through a lot of ups and downs, but are still standing firm in their unity. They are presented as classic musicians, who are still bringing it like they did in the past. The chorus contains a catchy line that proclaims that their time has come, and that they are ready to rock the crowd once again.
The second verse is a message that is directed towards one of their crew members. The lyrics suggest that the member in question had some personal issues, which led to a temporary separation between them. However, the lyrics reveal that they still have love for the member, and that they are hoping things can be patched up.
Overall, the lyrics of Slum Village's Reunion are rich with emotion and passion for the music. They illustrate the difficult and trying times that members of the band went through, and how they were able to overcome them and come back stronger. The song provides an authentic and honest portrayal of the bond between musicians, and how they have each other's back no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo EL and 'Tin kill'n em, Three kill'n 'em
EL and 'Tin are doing well, as well as Three
You thought we broke up but we was just reassemblin'
People thought Slum Village had disbanded, but they were just restructuring
Ladies and gentlemen you barewitnessin / The villa on some classic shit like vans emblems
You are witnessing the veterans of hip hop, Slum Village, in action, continuing to make classic music like their peers at Vans
It's the guerrilla pimps, we bustin denim in the club / That you can't wear ya denim in
Slum Village is here to party hard, but in a style not suited for denim
Freakin a rhyme til every line ends with a then and than / You dont wanna rump and stomp in Timberlands
Slum Village's rhymes are so smooth, every line ends with "then" or "than," and you won't want to dance too hard in Timberlands
Shout to my nigga Killagan / And all of my peeps that rep more D than 12 Eminems
Shoutout to Killagan and all those who embody Detroit culture more than even Eminem does
Who let the dogs out and let Dilla in?
Whoever let the unnoticed talent of J Dilla into the game has opened up a whole new world for hip hop
Fuck wit this is ya loss Gilligan
If you mess with us, you'll be the loser, Gilligan
Sounds similar I'm not feelin 'em
Similar-sounding rappers aren't cutting it for Slum Village
Get the balls like Venus in Wimbelon
Slum Village is going to hit it out of the park, like Venus Williams at Wimbledon
While I'm in them fly whips five Will and them / On some Kim and them All About the Benjamins
Slum Village is rolling in style like they're in a music video, on par with Lil' Kim in All About the Benjamins
Still here
Slum Village is still going strong and making music
Still here, never left, just switched the style up / Came through, made moves to get the crowd up / Its hard time "V" time nigga ya times up / Get rowed up for the Reunion
Slum Village is still here, and even though their style has evolved, they are still the veterans of hip hop. It's time for their reunion!
L kill'n em, Dilla kill'n 'em
L and Dilla are killing it
Maybe we could hook up again back wit 'Tin and them / Together again like armed forces on some Fantastic Four or Four Horsemen / Can't do it without ya crew boy
Maybe Slum Village can get back together with 'Tin and others, like a superhero team, because they wouldn't be able to do it without their friends
Guess who boy, comin' through with two boy / Nobody but us that rap in a clutch / Passed and switched it up like kids in double dutch
Guess who is coming through? Slum Village, rapping under pressure, and changing it up like kids jumping rope
Some couldn't feel our style or feel flow / Never talked our slang, never walked our road
Some people couldn't understand Slum Village's unique style, slang, or experiences
All they know is these niggas is tainted / Don't know about those rovers that candy painted
All they know is that Slum Village is controversial, not about the luxury cars they own that are painted like candy
We've been miss quoted, miss construed, miss understood, and over used / So we take this time to set the record straight / Critics skipped and did it anyway
Slum Village has been misrepresented and journalists haven't represented them properly, so now they are taking the time to set the record straight even though critics skipped over them before
Now you hear our raps wit Dilla and you all on our team / Till you heard 'Tin was gone was apart of the scheme / See! We still got love where was you at at? / Just cuz a nigga go solo think we turn our backs
Now that fans hear Slum Village's music with J Dilla, everyone likes them, but when they heard that 'Tin had left, people were quick to write them off. Slum Village is still loyal to their fans, but fans need to be more loyal to them when they go solo
Maybe we will reunite on some shit like that / But I gotta set it straight 'fore you twists the facts nigga
Maybe they will reunite in the future, but people need the facts straight before spreading rumors
I wrote a verse that I recited it was hot / But I had to rewrite cause I thought we was united and we not
One member of Slum Village wrote a hot verse, but had to rewrite it when they realized the group wasn't united after all
But though all the love that I got for you / Partna I picked apart ya words and I'm shocked in the interviews / I been accused of not carin'
Despite having love for a fellow member of Slum Village, one member has been shocked by some of the interviews and has been accused of not caring
When the city threw your furniture out / Its not fair when I'm learnin about how stress you fell in a article
When one member of Slum Village was evicted and their furniture was thrown out, they became even more stressed when reading about it in the news
Forget a rhyme I'm just as real when I talk to you / And you know that we share Kodak moments / I wish we could go back / But don't act like you wasn't bugin out like a phone tap
Sometimes it's more important to be real and have genuine conversation instead of rapping. They shared some special moments but can't go back in time. The other member of Slum Village was acting erratic, like a phone being tapped
Even though niggas told me you was gon' clown / But I tried, and you know I cried when I saw you wild'n at the State Theater
Even though other people warned them that the other member of Slum Village was going to act out, they still tried to keep the group together. When they saw the other person wilding out during a performance, they were heartbroken and shed a tear
Throw you in the trunk and found a preacher for you / Cause I thought you had unlawful demons on you
Slum Village tried to intervene when they thought the other member was possessed by demons
Sinkin fast in the deepest soil / Ya parents finally got you some help / You came out seemin normal and / I heard you on medication / Had a illness you couldn't heal with herbs and meditation
The other member of Slum Village was in a bad place and had to get help from their parents. They took medication to heal a mental illness that couldn't be treated through alternative methods
And believe me; Me and T, Three kept it low / Don't take this as a dis this is just to let you know that I love you
The other members of Slum Village knew about the member's struggles, but kept it private out of respect. They want the other member to know that this isn't a diss track and they still care about them
But watch the company you keep / Sware niggas don't care, but they love you in the streets / Get ya mind right nigga
Be careful who you hang out with, because people in the streets might not have your best interests at heart, only how you can help them. Stay focused and get your mind straight, friend
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: James Yancey, Jason Powers, R.L. Altman III, Ralph James Rice
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind