“I just haven’t had the energy to compete with my enemies or your so-called Bigger 3.”
j dilla
SOURCE SPORTS: Detroit Pistons Unveil Exclusive Retail Collection Honoring J. Dilla
The Detroit Pistons have announced a unique collaboration with Grammy-nominated rapper and producer Royce 5’9”, unveiling a six-piece retail collection paying tribute to the legendary Detroit-born producer, songwriter, and rapper J. Dilla.
This exclusive capsule collection features two in-arena exclusive pieces, available only at the Team Store at Little Caesars Arena on March 13, coinciding with the Pistons’ celebration of 313 Day against the Toronto Raptors. Additionally, four designs will be available both at the Team Store at LCA and online at Pistons313Shop.com.
Each of the six pieces—including a T-shirt, two hats, and three hoodies—serves as an homage to J. Dilla and his distinctive musical style. The designs draw inspiration from J. Dilla’s classic album cover, “Donuts,” his affinity for the Detroit Stars hat, and his iconic musical instruments, the Minimog Voyager Synthesizer and Akai MPC3000 MIDI, among others.
The in-arena exclusive pieces will blend sentiments from J. Dilla’s debut studio album, “Welcome 2 Detroit,” with iconic Detroit landmarks, including the Ambassador Bridge and the J. Dilla Donut shop.
“When designing the capsule for the J. Dilla Pistons partnership, our aim was to honor Dilla’s essence,” Royce 5’9” said. “Our interpretation of the iconic “Donuts” album cover was pivotal to the collection, as the album holds significant historical importance within hip-hop circles.”
For more information about the collection, fans can visit Pistons.com/JDilla. The collection will be available for purchase on March 13 at Pistons313Shop.com or at the Team Store at Little Caesars Arena. Tickets for the Detroit Pistons game against the Toronto Raptors on March 13 can be purchased at Pistons.com/Tickets.
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The Detroit Pistons Will Brighten Their Terrible Season With Limited-Edition J Dilla Merch Designed By Royce Da 5’9
The Detroit Pistons‘ 2023-2024 NBA campaign has admittedly not been going well so far. The Motor City basketball club currently has a 9-52 record — good for one of the worst in the NBA’s 78-year history.
They do have one bright spot to look forward to, however. On March 13 — aka 313 Day, a nod to the city’s phone area code — the team will unveil a new merch collection honoring one of Detroit’s favorite sons, the late, great J Dilla. Curated by Dilla’s fellow Motown hip-hop powerhouse Royce Da 5’9, the collection will be available exclusively through the team store at Little Caesars Arena and on Pistons313Shop.com.
The collection will consist of six pieces (with an additional four online), featuring the Pistons’ logo, remixed as a donut in a nod to Dilla’s game-changing 2006 instrumental album Donuts and bearing J Dilla in place of the Pistons’ name. There will also be pieces featuring a patch reading “Welcome To Detroit,” the title of Dilla’s debut solo album, with the donut shop from the Donuts alternative cover.
The whole concept is very cool and very well executed. Y’all know your boy is a Clippers fan and I’m still probably going to log in the day of release to secure that hat (also, please take notes, Mr. Ballmer. Nipsey Day could easily be a thing at Intuit Dome).
In the press release, Royce said of the collab, “When designing the capsule for the J. Dilla Pistons partnership, our aim was to honor Dilla’s essence. Our interpretation of the iconic “Donuts” album cover was pivotal to the collection, as the album holds significant historical importance within hip-hop circles.”
You can get more info about the collection here.
Today in Hip-Hop History: J Dilla Dropped His ‘Welcome 2 Detroit’ Album 23 Years Ago
On this date in 2001, Slum Village producer Jay Dee changed his name to J Dilla and released his debut solo album entitled Welcome 2 Detroit. The 16 track BBE distributed LP featured otherwise unknown artists from Dilla’s hometown such as Elzhi and Phat Kat among others.
Although it is a solo album, on several cuts, such as the first single “Pause”, Dilla takes a backseat and lets others command the mic. Dilla also sings the lead vocals on his cover of Donald Byrd’s “Think Twice”, which also has Motown crooner Dwele playing the keyboard and singing background vocals.
Salute to the late beat making icon J Dilla and the rest of his BBE family for bringing Hip Hop such an unforgettable classic!
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J Dilla’s Mom, Ma Dukes, Empowers The Youth To Follow Their Passion
This year marks J Dilla’s 50th birthday, and his spirit is alive now more than ever.
Revered as one of the greatest Hip-Hop producers of all time, J Dilla exploded onto the Detroit rap scene as a member of Slum Village, creating his own unique style that went on to influence the next generation of producers that came after him. Unfortunately, his life was cut short at age 32, as the result of a combination of TTP and lupus.
Insert J Dilla’s mom, Ma Dukes, who’s discovered her true purpose thanks to her late son. She started the J Dilla foundation a month after her son passed, with a mission of uplifting the youth and encouraging their interest in education through music and the arts.
The Source spoke with Ma Dukes at Dilla Day L.A. in downtown Los Angeles to discuss what she misses most, and what it was like seeing Dilla’s first music video.
What does it mean to be celebrating Dilla Day 2024?
Oh my gosh, it’s so awesome. I celebrate everyday, talk to him still. Think about him throughout my journey because if it wasn’t for him, I would not have purpose. My life is lived through purpose, I’m excited and happy about it everyday. Especially this year, because he turned 50 years old. It’s phenomenal. The world is growing, and it’s picking up more and more fans along the way. And getting younger and younger.
The fact they’re getting younger and younger, we have parents that are beginning to listen more to their children. Whenever I go out and speak to parents, or creatives I call them, because children are especially genius. Young people of all ages, they have something they want to share with the world. They know it’s unique, and they’re different than most of the people they’re around. They don’t know how to share it, they don’t want to upset the parent. Most youth want their parents to be proud of what they do. A lot of times, it’s not their passion that the parents are talking about. “I want them to be this or that.”
Parents need to remember that when their quiet time is there, the thing you want more than how much money they can make is that they’d be happy. A lot of people make a tremendous amount of money, but they’ve never found happiness. Because they didn’t touch the passion that they grew with, that they dreamed about but never talked about it. Our parents don’t know until their children venture into something and have a taste of something to share with people. Creatives have no ceiling, they’re not afraid to tap into something new. They don’t have to keep with the norm, because they already visualized something else.
So you have to give them a chance. It’s wonderful, and I’ve made so many many friends. Parent friends, because I’ve touched their youth and talked to them. I leave myself open that they can reach out to me no matter what time. Day and night, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. They know I’ma hit you back. We’re going to talk about what it is, how you want to approach it. Does your mom know? I’ve reached out to some parents, I’ve been very successful with that. I have some new bestie parents. [laughs]
Dilla used to tell me “lady, you need to listen more.” I’d look at him like he’s crazy, I’m the most attentive parent I know! I was doing daycare, I had two daycares at once. I didn’t have a lot of extra time for my own children. I realized, spend time with them. We’re a very close-knit family, because we were 4. 4 people, they just band together. When you love them, you’re in a household, you share and you enjoy what you enjoy together. However minimal it is, but you begin to see the light shine toward different things.
I knew music was his thing, he never wanted to do anything else. He’d spin records in our apartment at two years old, with adults. That let me know he was so patient. I’d be sick of it, I’d be tired. But he’d watch the people. He’d never talk. I guess through observation, he realized how much he loved music and all the Motown sounds. I attribute that to allowing you to be free enough to express themselves. I have to remember that you brought a gift into the world. Your boy comes here for a purpose, but have you looked into that? Have we paid attention to that individual, that has this special gift? Because we don’t know what it is until they display it.
Parents have to be attentive. You didn’t just bring a children into the world to be in your arms. Gifts are made to be shared, to make the world a better place. This gift you gave to the world is something special, and we all need to embrace it and see what it’s about.
Can you bring us back to the first time you saw his first music video?
Oh my God, we were so excited. We didn’t see all the first music videos, but the one the whole family saw together was “McNasty Filth.” [laughs] We were sitting in a room with his dad, everybody in the family and some friends. We rolled over. He was a little embarrassed, he didn’t know we were gonna tape him. But we watched it over and over. We’re so proud. Just like a lot of parents say “how’d you feel about him going to the strip club?” I’m grateful. He passed away so young. Had it not been for that, what would have he enjoyed? That he liked? I’m grateful for every moment he had on this earth.
What do you miss most about J Dilla?
His smile. He didn’t give it often. He was very very introverted. Very serious. He had no time for regular things. He was all about making things better. Even when he finished something,
He’d let you hear it like “what do you think?” They will listen to it. He said “you like that?” They said “yeah man!” He’d say “Well, I’m gonna erase it and come back with something else.” [laughs] Sure enough, he’d come back with something else, more profound. There’s something else in his head telling him: if you add this one thing, it’d be phenomenal.
And that’s what he always wanted. He wanted to always make things better. He never wanted artists to have a peace of music that wasn’t mind-blowing. He wanted them to be happy.
Everything that was made in that basement, was him.
Tell us about the J Dilla Foundation, I love that you started that.
Yes, I started that a month after he passed. I started it with Jae Barber, Karriem Riggins’ manager all these years. He said “I think that because you did childcare,” his mom was a childcare provider. He lived in Detroit, I didn’t know because I met him in California. He said “you should do a foundation or some type of thing to help pay it forward for him. What do you think about that?”
I’m like what would I do? How would I do it? Not knowing all the steps, and he was with me all that time. He was the president, I was the founder. We did a lot of wonderful things together. I have to keep it going. The J Dilla Tech Grant with Save The Music Foundation will be going forever. As long as with him being in the Smithsonian, that’s phenomenal. These milestones.
What I’m thinking is how I was poor, my children were poor and I couldn’t take them to things. I didn’t have the money. I want them to be able to come and see for free the things that will inspire you or do something for you.
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EXCLUSIVE: Kanye West Charged Slum Village $90K For The “Selfish” Beat
J Dilla will forever go down in history as one of the greatest producers of all time.
On Saturday, February 10th, Hip-Hop fans from all over the city of Los Angeles conjoined to celebrate the life of J Dilla. In downtown Los Angeles, the event was officially deemed Dilla Day L.A., with attendees given the rare opportunity to meet J. Dilla’s mom, Ma Dukes. February 10th also serves as the exact date J Dilla passed 50 years back, suffering from cardiac arrest.
The headliners for the evening include Slum Village, the Detroit Hip-Hop group that emerged in the underground Hip-Hop scene in the 1990s, with J Dilla being a founding member. To date, the album Fantastic, Vol. 2 is revered as one of the top Hip-Hop albums, with guest appearances from Busta Rhymes, Common, D’Angelo, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Pete Rock, Kurupt, and Q-Tip.
The Source spoke with T3 and Young RJ of Slum Village to discuss the legacy of J Dilla, and Kanye West charging $90K for the “Selfish” beat with an unknown John Legend at the time.
What does it mean to be celebrating Dilla Day 2024?
T3: It’s fantastic for us, we’re always happy to rep Dilla. That’s my mans.
Young RJ: If you really want to rep him, you need to go to the strip club bro. Get you some chicken wings, make some music.
T3: You have to see a woman slide down a pole.
Young RJ:Fasho, greasy though. [laughs]
T3: Dilla was about that life, he really was. That was the inspiration of a lot of beats.
Young RJ: For sure. Don’t the beats feel sexy? It’s a vibe.
What was it like meeting Dilla in high school?
T3: When I met Dilla in high school, he was an introvert at that time. This is funny. He was really really skinny, like skinnier. I was skinny too, we was all skinny at the same time. But he used to wear layers of different clothes. He didn’t want to be skinny. He used to wear these layers and layers of clothes, and he was very introverted. I had to hear about him when a friend said “this guy got crazy beats!” We went to the house, we checked it out and the beats was insane. It was dope, and he was so quiet. He didn’t say no words.
Young RJ: What was the haircut though?
T3: The haircut was a fade. It was a little bald fade.
What was the moment y’all knew you had something?
T3: When we started recording records. After that one encounter, we really didn’t link after that. We linked later. We had this big thing in my grandma’s basement where we invited all the dopest rappers, DJs, MCs. We figured out me him, and Baatin, we was the best. After that, we went to Mo Master Studio. It was the cheapest studio you can go to. It was $30 an hour, which was cheap for a studio. We started recording joints, that’s when we knew we had something. At the time, we was Ssenepod. We weren’t even Slum Village at the time.
What do you most miss about J Dilla?
Young RJ: The phone call after you play him something or put something in the mailbox, because he’d say “just drop it in the mailbox J, and I’ma hit you.” You drop in the mailbox and he calls you, you get that voicemail like “awww, man you done came with some shit. That’s some shit right there. I’ma knock it out, I’ll have it to you in a week.” Damn! One of the GOATs all time is fucking with it? That’s it.
T3: That is the greatest feeling. I used to make beats, he used to leave me in the basement of his house and go to sleep while I’m in the basement. [laughs] I knew if he said something the next day, I have some shit. If he says “3, okay! Now you cooking. Alright.” ‘Cause obviously anything he made was incredible.”
Dilla’s 50th Birthday just passed. Where would he fit in today’s landscape of Hip-Hop?
T3: Dilla is always cutting edge.
Young RJ: He is the landscape, still.
T3: He is the landscape. He never wants to do what everybody is doing. That was never his goal. Even if he was here now, God rest his soul, he’d be trying to do the next.
Can you bring us back to the creation of “Selfish” with Kanye West and J Dilla?
T3: [laughs] J was actually there. J, tell us your perspective.
Young RJ: The real story? Because you got the PC version of the story. Alright, so we walk in the studio. Kanye’s sitting there, John Legend’s sitting there. Matter of fact, he had a burgundy polo sweater. Cashmere. We walk in there, he says “this the joint.” Ain’t no options. This the only beat we playing.
T3: He played one beat.
Young RJ: “This the beat, that’s it for y’all.” Everybody looking around like “okay, we can work with this.”
Kanye said one beat!
Young RJ: That’s it!
T3: That’s it, Kanye did not give us no options. On top of that, we paid $90K for this feature. For him to feature and the beat, $90K.
Young RJ: The only reason he chose that is because of a certain A&R that turned him down, when he was looking for a record deal. He was getting payback.
$90K?!
T3: But it wasn’t a lot for us because we had a million dollar budget.
Young RJ: Fasho. Plentiful.
T3: That’s when budgets were budgets. Budgets were real budgets back then.
Young RJ: This the hook. T said “you know what, I got something for you today.”
T3: We didn’t know who John Legend was at all. That was John Legend’s first feature.
Young RJ: So we do that, T said “I got something for it.” Kanye walks over like “yeah man, I got something I’ma add to his beat. Watch what I do.” He’s in the palace like a bongo slap, like boop! He’s going crazy, he’s selling it. I’m like Ye, I know you gon’ rap on it. He’s like “you think I should?” Yeah, come on man. You gotta rap up. He immediately goes in the booth, lays his verse. T3 lays half his verse in the part of “maybe I’m selfish, I want you to myself I can’t help it.” Next thing you know, T said “I’ma take it home, write it.” He came back the next day, laid it. Elzhi couldn’t come with nothing.
T3: So we had to wait one more day.
Young RJ: One more day. Ye like “you go upstairs with him J, make sure the verse is tight. Call me when y’all got it.” We go upstairs, we knock it out. T’s like, “That’s it.” We come back, me and T3 in the studio. We mixed the record, Kanye shooting a Pepsi commercial. He’s not even there. He’s on the phone like, “Put the phone to the speaker.” He was so busy.
T3: Kanye was Kanye. He was so popular at the time.
Y’all were at the video shoot and you couldn’t find Dilla? There were 300 women there?
T3: It was so many women there, it was ridiculous. He’s there, but I never talked to him the whole time.
Young RJ: I talked to him the whole night.
T3: I never talked to him, because I was doing my thing.
With the women?
T3: Yes, the women. Kanye, John Legend, Elzhi. We was up there doing our things. We’re doing our routine, I never saw him.
Young RJ: I’m give you one more story before we close it out. I call him, he says,” You know what? I just got out the hospital. You’re in town? I’m coming to the video.” He shows up to the video, we siting back there.” A guy named Scrap Daddy says “this your group! You’re gonna let Kanye come in and do this? He’s killing us off!”
T3: Bullshit.
Young RJ: Dilla’s sitting in the stands like “oh word? That’s what you think?” You go back, that’s when you get all the stuff that you earn on Donuts. That’s why you hearing all solo stuff. He was making his point that “I’m unfuckwithable.”
T3: Which most of that he made in a hospital bed. He proved his point, but Dilla was always the GOAT. And still is.
How special is this day? February 10th is the day he passed, but you guys also started the album.
T3: It’s special man. I don’t like to think when a person passes and see the creator… But what I like to think about is all the times we shared together, and the blessings that Dilla bestowed on my life. If it wasn’t no Dilla, I wouldn’t definitely not be here. It’d be no Slum Village, so I think about that. He definitely was a ray of light that kept me going. Because my lifestyle back then, my parents were not here or there. When I saw his parents, I saw parents. Mom, dad, I didn’t have that going on. I was able to go to a safe space, so shout out to that.
Young RJ: What does this day mean? I hear Dilla saying, “Fuck all that sad shit! Where the chicken wings, let’s get studio cracking. Frank, fry the greens extra crispy. Cook the wings extra crispy.”
T3: Ma Dukes come with that sloppy joes. Dilla was a big fan of sloppy joes, which is weird. He really liked sloppy joes.
What do you like about Sada Baby?
Young RJ: Sada Baby, original.
T3: A GOAT, the G. A lot of people don’t know that he’s Middle Eastern and black. Sada Baby is dope man, and you might see him one of Slum’s album. You never know, I fuck with him. I really do fuck with Sada Baby.
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Royce da 5’9” and Detroit Pistons Unveil Exclusive J Dilla Capsule: Celebrating a Hip-Hop Legacy
In a dynamic collaboration merging music and sports, renowned rapper Royce da 5’9” and the Detroit Pistons have joined forces to unveil a unique capsule collection dedicated to the enduring legacy of the late J Dilla. The partnership aims not only to pay homage to the influential producer but also to shine a spotlight on Detroit’s profound impact on the global music scene.
J Dilla, born James Yancey, was a musical genius whose contributions to hip-hop left an indelible mark. Despite his significant influence, there remains a gap in awareness about his unparalleled legacy. Bilal Saeed, the Pistons’ VP of Brand & Marketing Strategy, emphasized the importance of bridging this gap, stating, “Those familiar with Dilla’s musical genius understand his impact on hip-hop, but there are still so many who aren’t familiar with his legacy.”
The capsule, featuring designs curated by Royce da 5’9” himself, is set to launch to the general public on March 13, known as Detroit’s 313 Day, paying homage to the city’s iconic area code. The announcement on Wednesday was particularly poignant, as it coincided with what would have been J Dilla’s 50th birthday. The celebrated producer, who battled lupus and a rare blood disorder, tragically passed away at the age of 32 in 2006.
“Anybody from Detroit, we’re natural-born hustlers… As creatives and as individuals, that’s the thing that sets us apart from everybody else.”
J. Dilla’s daughters, Ja’Mya and Ty’Monae, are carrying on his legacy while continuing to make an impact in their own ways.
Detroit… pic.twitter.com/9CStapJybM
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) February 4, 2024
Royce da 5’9”, credited as the art director for the capsule, expressed his deep appreciation for being a part of this meaningful project. In a press release, he stated, “Dilla’s enduring legacy is a treasure that must be safeguarded at any expense.” Royce emphasized the significance of the campaign not only for himself but for Detroit and the entire hip-hop community.
The exclusive merchandise drop, featuring carefully curated designs and elements inspired by J Dilla’s artistic vision, is a testament to the collaboration’s dedication to preserving and celebrating the producer’s legacy. Fans can anticipate a closer look at the collection in the days leading up to 313 Day, providing a sneak peek into the artistic fusion encapsulated in each piece.
Beyond the creative collaboration, the initiative holds personal importance for Royce da 5’9”, the Detroit Pistons, and the city of Detroit as a whole. The intersection of music, sports, and culture underscores the impact that J Dilla had not only on the hip-hop scene but on the city that shaped him.
In a recent nod to Detroit’s creative brilliance, Ma Dukes, J Dilla’s mother, and his daughter Ja’Mya Yancey were honored as part of the Crown Royal-presented Black History Month Detroit Creative program. This recognition further solidifies the city’s commitment to acknowledging and celebrating the diverse contributions of its artists and creators.
As the capsule collection prepares to make its debut on 313 Day, the collaboration between Royce da 5’9” and the Detroit Pistons stands as a powerful tribute to J Dilla’s enduring impact, ensuring that his legacy continues to resonate across generations.
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Detroit Pistons and Royce 5’9” Collaborate on J. Dilla-Inspired Retail Collection
The Detroit Pistons have announced a retail collaboration with Detroit-born rapper, songwriter, and producer J. Dilla, celebrating his life and legacy in music and culture. The capsule collection will be available on March 13 exclusively on Pistons313Shop.com, coinciding with what would have been Dilla’s 50th birthday.
Recognized as one of the greatest hip-hop producers of all time, J. Dilla’s influence extends far beyond his hometown. The Pistons, in partnership with Dilla’s Estate and his family, felt compelled to share his story, especially following the recent 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
“Those familiar with Dilla’s musical genius understand his impact on hip-hop but there are still so many who aren’t familiar with his legacy,” said Bilal Saeed, VP of Brand & Marketing Strategy. “The Pistons wanted to tell his story in a creative way while also continuing to shed light on the city’s impact on music around the world.”
“It has honestly been a long time coming,” Dilla’s daughter Ja’Mya Yancey said. “I am just so glad that we were finally able to do something so major through the appropriate channels and highlight my dad in a way that was fun and exciting while respecting his estate at the same time.”
“It means a lot to see the estate and the Pistons collaboration in celebrating and continuing my father’s legacy,” Ty’Monae Whitlow, J. Dilla’s second daughter, said. “Seeing the love Detroit has for him and for us as a family is heartwarming. I can’t wait to be a part of and to see what the collaboration entails.”
Designed in collaboration with Detroit-based rapper Royce 5’9”, who served as the project’s art director, each piece in the collection pays homage to J. Dilla’s unique style and contributions to music. Royce, having worked closely with Dilla before his passing, sees this collaboration as a way to honor his legacy and complete their “unfinished business.”
“Dilla’s enduring legacy is a treasure that must be safeguarded at any expense,” said Royce. “It is a great honor to be responsible for curating his likeness in this exclusive merchandise drop entrusted to me by his estate and the Pistons. This campaign holds major significance not just for myself, but also for the city of Detroit and the hip-hop community as a whole.”
The collection’s unveiling will lead to 313 Day, a significant date for Detroit when the Pistons will host the Toronto Raptors at Little Caesars Arena. This collaboration celebrates J. Dilla’s impact and fosters a connection between Detroit’s music and sports culture.
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How To Buy J Dilla Merch For Dilla Day 2024
The late J Dilla is being honored with a new merch collection to celebrate Dilla Day 2024. It launched today, on what would have been his 50th birthday, as part of a collaboration between Roland, Roland Lifestyle, and Save The Music Foundation.
Including hats, shirts, hoodies, and more items, the designs come in different colors, with both J Dilla’s name or image, and the Roland logo featured as the graphics. As one specific example, “Michigan” t-shirt is $40 as the rapper‘s “likeness” represents Detroit.
Roland also has plans to drop another J Dilla-themed merch collection this fall.
“Our family comes from a musical house where Roland machines helped us create so much music over the years,” Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey, J Dilla’s mother, shared in a statement. “This partnership feels right to me, as both my son and Roland have inspired and influenced many musicians. It is a great way to continue James’s legacy.”
“Growing up, J Dilla changed my approach to creativity, and it is an honor to celebrate his legacy through this partnership,” Nathan Chandra, the creative director at Roland Lifestyle, added. “With proceeds from the collection’s sales benefiting the J Dilla Music Technology Grant and the Save The Music Foundation, J Dilla continues to impact culture and the future of music from the next world.”
Check out the new J Dilla merch collection here.
Slum Village: Where Are They Now?
In the late ‘90s, Slum Village emerged as a formidable force in Hip Hop. They burst into the scene with poignant lyrics and a commitment to authenticity. Despite the challenges the group and its members faced, Slum Village has endured and managed to stay together. Although their popularity has declined, the essence of the group has endured over the years. However, there have been different lineups in the group since it was first formed. Because of that, some fans may not know past members, depending on when they began listening to the group. Lovers of the group are in luck though, as Slum Village will be releasing a new album, FUN, soon enough. For old fans who lost track of the group, and newer fans, here’s an overview of the state of Slum Village and the whereabouts of its members.
Slum Village: Detroit Kings
In 1996, J Dilla, T3, and Baatin, the founding members of Slum Village, formed the group in Detroit, Michigan. Subsequently, the first album they recorded together, Fantastic, Vol. 1, unofficially dropped as a bootleg release in 1997. It wasn’t until nine years later that the group officially released the album. Nevertheless, Fantastic, Vol. 1 is still regarded as their debut album. As a trio, the original lineup signed their first record deal in 1998 with Barak/A&M Records. After Fantastic Vol. 1 made its way to listeners, the group’s popularity grew. As the group’s star ascended, they released Fantastic, Vol. 2 (2000), their acclaimed sophomore album.
Lineup Changes
While they achieved commercial success and critical acclaim, Slum Village soon faced the harsh realities of the industry, as well as inner turmoil. In 2001, J Dilla left the group to pursue a solo career. Soon after, T3 onboarded Elzhi as a new member, and along with Baatin, the trio released Trinity (Past, Present and Future) in 2002. However, shortly after the album dropped, Baatin had to drop out of Slum Village due to health complications. As a result, T3 and Elzhi were the only members of Slum Village on their fourth album, Detroit Deli (A Taste of Detroit). They remained a duo for their self-titled fifth album as well. Fortunately, in 2008, T3 announced that Baatin would finally rejoin Slum Village. In addition, he also announced that J Dilla’s younger brother Illa J, and producer Young RJ would join as members of Slum Village.
Sadly, Baatin passed away in 2009, but he had already recorded new material with Slum Village. As such, he is a credited performer on the group’s sixth album, Villa Manifesto (2010). Unfortunately, this was also the last album recorded or released with Elzhi in the lineup, as he left the group in July 2010. Subsequently, after their seventh album, Evolution (2013), was released, Illa J left the group as well. Since then, Slum Village has operated as a duo, with the current lineup consisting of T3 and Young RJ.
T3
#slumvillage #puma #distinctlife #jdilla #baatin
Vol 2 shoe release Aug 1 @slumvillage @YoungRJ313 @rickwlms pic.twitter.com/XrOdrKSxGb— T3 of Slum Village (@T3sv) July 30, 2023
A founding member of Slum Village, T3 is the only one to have never left the lineup. Besides his work with the group, the rapper and producer never really embarked on any solo musical ventures. He has been the most devoted member of the group since its inception, and he remains committed to the group. Besides music, T3 also works as a radio host for Hot 107.5 Hip Hop Detroit.
Young RJ
While he doesn’t rap, Young RJ significantly contributed to the sound of Slum Village for years before he officially joined the group. He has production credits on Slum Village albums as far back as 2002’s Trinity (Past, Present and Future). In addition, the producer has been releasing solo and collaborative projects since the mid-2000s. On September 23, 2022, he released World Tour, his most recent album. He is one half of the current lineup of Slum Village and tours with T3 for performances.
Elzhi
Before Elzhi left Slum Village in 2010, he released his debut album, The Preface, in 2008. Since then, he has dropped two additional albums, as well as several mixtapes and collaborative albums. In 2020, the rapper released Seven Times Down Eight Times Up. His latest project, Heavy Vibrato (2023), is a collaborative album with rapper and producer Oh No.
Illa J
As aforementioned, Illa J is the younger brother of former member J Dilla. The rapper’s solo debut album was released in 2008 before joining the group. After joining in the early 2010s, he left the group to re-focus on his solo career. Since then, he has released several music projects, including his most recent album, No Traffic (2023). Although he left Slum Village, he has appeared as a guest artist on a few of their tracks like, “Fantastic/Love Is” and “Expressive.”
J Dilla AKA Jay Dee
Another founding member of Slum Village, J Dilla only stayed for their first two albums. Subsequently, he left to focus on his solo career. Between 2001 and 2006, the producer and rapper released three acclaimed solo albums and three EPs. However, on February 10, 2006, he unfortunately passed away at the age of 32 due to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and lupus. Since his untimely demise, many posthumous projects have been released under his name. These include the iconic Hip Hop classic, The Shining (2006), Dillarronic (2015), and The Diary (2016), among others.
Baatin
The third founding member of Slum Village, Baatin first left the group in 2002 due to health complications. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. Yet, he returned in 2008 and contributed to Villa Manifesto. However, the rapper died before the album was officially released in 2010. Baatin sadly passed away on July 31, 2009, due to an accidental overdose of drugs. He was 35 and was succeeded by his two kids, Michael Majesty Ellis and Aura Grace Glover, as well as his sister, Tina.
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