Slum Village

Pershing High

Slum Village formed in 1994 in Conant Gardens on Detroit’s east side. The founding members were Baatin (Titus Glover), T3 and Jay Dee, later known as J Dilla, who met as students at Pershing High School. Jay Dee handled most of the production, and the group’s debut, Fan-Tas-Tic (Vol. 1), circulated in Detroit and beyond while his production career grew.

Fantastic, Vol. 2

The group recorded Fantastic, Vol. 2 in 1997 and 1998 for A&M Records, but it sat unreleased for more than a year. It finally came out in June 2000 on GoodVibe Recordings and Barak Records, with guests including Q-Tip, D’Angelo, Busta Rhymes, Pete Rock, Common and Kurupt. Singles included “Climax (Girl Shit)” and “Raise It Up.”

Lineup changes

Jay Dee left in 2001 to concentrate on solo work, and longtime affiliate Elzhi joined. The new lineup released Trinity (Past, Present and Future) on Capitol in 2002. It reached No. 20 on the Billboard 200, and “Tainted,” featuring Dwele, reached No. 87 on the Hot 100. Baatin left around 2003. Detroit Deli (A Taste of Detroit) followed in 2004, led by the Kanye West-produced “Selfish” with John Legend, which reached No. 55 on the Hot 100.

Later years

J Dilla died in February 2006, and Baatin died on July 31, 2009, at 35. Slum Village has continued with T3 and Young RJ, releasing albums in 2005, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2024. The group’s early records are widely cited as a foundation of Detroit’s underground sound, and its catalog links J Dilla to later Detroit artists including Elzhi, Black Milk and Waajeed.