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,β T3 adds. βIβm incorporating Baatin, and Iβm putting Illa J inβnot to take Dillaβs place, but just to have that essence of Dilla on this new project. Iβm pulling together all the producers that weβve used beforeβBlack Milk, Wajeed , Kareem Riggins, Pete Rock and all the people who have been down with SV from day one.β
J Dilla died on February 10, 2006 after being diagnosed with TTP and Lupus.
Baatin died on July 31, 2009.
www.slumvillage.com
Tell Me
Slum Village Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me if you want some and you can just, come on
Tell me if you want some and you can just, come on
Tell me if you want some and you can just, come on
Tell me if you just want to get closer
Ya got the numbers on ya poster
And if ya want ta, I'll make it so that
Ya gotta know ya body extractuates juice
Ecstasy is what I produce
Sweetie my virtues are never ever looser
I'm not the average Joe Schmo ya used to
This Jones in my bones could hurt ya
Unless ya ready for the lecture
Tell me if you just want to get closer
I wrote the numbers on ya poster
And if ya want ta, I'll make it so that
Never ever bringing you the satisfaction of a climax
Climax, climax
Tell me if you want some and you can just, come on, baby
Tell me if you want some and you can just, come on
Yeah, say what you feel, feel what you say
Don't hold back, it's real that way
Take the time and the time it takes
Baby you can justify ya ain't got the time to waste
Speak up, Speak up its not the time to play
You know I, I want ya in a special way (special way)
Special way (special way)
Special way (special way)
Ya know we need to make it happen like yesterday
Ya know, get it up and runnin like Flo Jo
We can kick it like they do up in the dojo
And oh, if you ain't ready this can go slow
But yo, if ya with it ya can let me know so
Tell me if you want some and you can just
See ya sexy girl and also quite confident
You could sell goods and probably market it
Yo, what's up with seven digits can I pocket it?
I want to get with your prerogative
I bet ya need a lot to gets monotonous
Spitting more games than an evangelist
Girl you know ya scandalous
I'm trying to get a one on one monogamous
Let's look into it like an analyst
I'm thinking about, can you handle this?
Take you back to the room with just a little touch
Touching the zone that's erogenous
But thats enough we're really trying to chill what up?
Whats up with you? Baby we can chill or what?
Whats up? We can chill or what whats up with you? Baby we can chill or
What?
Tell me if you want some and you can just, come on, baby
Tell me if you want some and you can just, come on, baby
Tell me if you want some and you can just, come on, baby
Tell me if you want some and you can just, come on, baby
Come on baby
The lyrics to Slum Village's song Tell Me are about a man expressing his desire for a woman and inviting her to be with him intimately. He tells her to let him know if she wants to get closer and explains that he can provide her with a sensual intensity that will captivate her. He also assures her that he is not an average guy and warns her that his intense desire for her can be overwhelming unless she is ready for it.
The lyrics also encourage the woman to speak up and not hold back her feelings or desires. The man emphasizes that they don't have time to waste and that they should make it happen like yesterday. He invites her to kick it with him and take it slow if she's not ready, but he also wants her to let him know if she's with it.
Overall, the lyrics are about a man expressing his intense desire for a woman and encouraging her to be open and honest about her own desires. The song has a seductive and sensual tone and captures the excitement and anticipation of a new romantic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me if you want some and you can just, come on, baby
Asking the person if they want to engage in sexual activity and giving consent to pursue it
Tell me if you just want to get closer
Asking if the person wants to deepen the emotional connection and become closer in a relationship
Ya got the numbers on ya poster
Noticing that the person has given out their phone number for contact
My sensual intensity captivates
Stating that they have a strong and captivating sexual intensity
Ya gotta know ya body extractuates juice
Encouraging the person to be aware of their own sexual desires and needs
Ecstasy is what I produce
Claiming that they can bring the person to a state of intense pleasure and ecstasy
Sweetie my virtues are never ever looser
Assuring the person that they are always virtuous and have good qualities
I'm not the average Joe Schmo ya used to
Asserting that they are not an ordinary or average person the other has encountered before
Unless ya ready for the lecture
Warning that they will give a lecture on sexual behavior and expectations if they are not ready for it
Never ever bringing you the satisfaction of a climax
Threatening to withhold sexual pleasure unless their needs and expectations are met
Climax, climax
Repeating the word climax to emphasize its importance
Yeah, say what you feel, feel what you say
Encouraging the person to express their true feelings and thoughts honestly
Don't hold back, it's real that way
Advising the person to not hold back their emotions and be genuine
Take the time and the time it takes
Urging the person to take their time and not rush into anything
Baby you can justify ya ain't got the time to waste
Acknowledging that the person may not have a lot of time but can still prioritize their needs and desires
Speak up, Speak up its not the time to play
Encouraging the person to speak up about what they want and need instead of playing games
You know I, I want ya in a special way (special way)
Expressing that they have a deep desire for the person in a unique and special way
Ya know we need to make it happen like yesterday
Suggesting that they should act on their desires as soon as possible
Ya know, get it up and runnin like Flo Jo
Using Flo Jo, an Olympic sprinter known for her speed, as a metaphor for starting their physical relationship quickly
And oh, if you ain't ready this can go slow
Acknowledging that the person may want to take things slowly and being open to that possibility
But yo, if ya with it ya can let me know so
If the person is open to moving forward, the artist encourages them to let them know
See ya sexy girl and also quite confident
Complimenting the person on their attractiveness and confidence
You could sell goods and probably market it
Using a business metaphor to describe the person's ability to attract attention and be successful
Yo, what's up with seven digits can I pocket it?
Asking for the person's phone number in a flirtatious way
I want to get with your prerogative
Expressing interest in the person and their choices
I bet ya need a lot to gets monotonous
Suggesting that they can provide excitement and avoid monotony in the person's life
Spitting more games than an evangelist
Using hyperbole to suggest that they have a lot of convincing and persuading to do to win the person over
Girl you know ya scandalous
Teasing the person in a playful way and making a reference to an R&B song with the same name
I'm trying to get a one on one monogamous
Expressing a desire for a monogamous relationship with the person
Let's look into it like an analyst
Suggesting that they carefully and objectively examine the potential relationship dynamic
I'm thinking about, can you handle this?
Asking if the person is capable of handling the intensity of the singer's desires
Take you back to the room with just a little touch
Suggesting an intimate encounter in a private setting
Touching the zone that's erogenous
Focusing on areas of the body that are sexually sensitive
But thats enough we're really trying to chill what up?
After suggesting sexual activity, the artist shifts the conversation to a more relaxed and casual tone
Baby we can chill or what?
Asking the person if they want to relax and hang out instead of engaging in sexual activity
Come on baby
A playful exclamation to encourage the person to make a decision and take action
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: R.L. ALTMAN III, MICHAEL D'ANGELO ARCHER, TITUS GLOVER, JAMES DEWITT YANCEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stpedro-ht9ng
man i love T3s verse so much. The beat pauses in the beginning and the flow
"see you sexy girl and also quite confident"
........SNARE.........
"you could sell goods and probably market it"...
"splittin more game than an evangelist,
...........girl you know you scandalous,
i'm tryna get a one on one monogamous,
...........let's look into it like an analyst"
@DWebbTheOldHead
It's 2023 and this jawn STILL SLAPS.
R.I.P. Dilla and Baatin.
@KNWELLE
DβAngelos vocal cuts that hit right before the snare is so damn good... Rest in BEATS DILLA...
@cesarortega7870
yeah fr this is a special beat
@MoneyOverFame
facts
@TheSpartanlaw
This song saved my life during a bad mushroom trip
@bigl3242
Dude I want to trip on mushrooms with this on repeat
@Youngapollo47
Musical Chairs by Issa Gold did the same for me, but I can see how this would have the same effect.
@Orckks
feel you
@vernellthomas6644
If you write a book about this trip I would buy it with cash.....write whatever memories you have of this experience
@lorenzobaines6222
This is one song that captures the raw energy of hip hop and the sexiness of r&b in a perfect marriage, The mc's bring the theme of sexual ecstasy full circle. J-Dilla pushed the envelope here like few others in the annuls of hip hop production. One of his true masterpieces on display here, In my opinion, one of the only perfect hip hop songs ever made.