slum village Archives

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of February 2015 All in One Playlist (Audio)

The month of February had less days, but it was not short on good music. The tight four weeks brought new songs from Kendrick Lamar, Ghostface Killah, Scarface, Method Man, Redman, Talib Kweli, Logic, Big K.R.I.T., Slum Village, Rah Digga, Action Bronson, Kanye West, Cannibal Ox, Drake, GZA, Fashawn, Nas,... Read more

March 4, 2015 Audio

Elzhi Offers Up His First Single In Ages. Emotional & Dilla-Related, It’s Worth The Wait (Audio)

There is less than a week left to the month of February. Whether it's been the frigid cold (for some), some depressing headlines, or just the new year's lull, it's a complicated month. Elzhi writes from the moment in "February." The Detroit, Michigan veteran leads into his true Preface follow-up,... Read more

February 24, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): J. Dilla vs. Guru…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

February 23, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): MF DOOM vs. Elzhi…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

February 16, 2015 Fresh

Slum Village Shock the System with the Visuals for E(I)GO (Video)

On the heels of Dilla Weekend, Slum Village release the video for "E(I)GO." T3, Illa J, and Young RJ and guest Rosewood 2055 carry on tradition for the group started by the late producer and artist. The black and white video features the group members interspersed with provocative images, including... Read more

February 11, 2015 Video

The Beat Junkies Honor J Dilla With A Scorching 2015 Remembrance Mix (Audio)

One of the subtleties that makes Dilla Day (February 10) so special in recent years is majorly due to The Beat Junkies and DJ J. Rocc. The Los Angeles, California DJ, who was the third—often uncredited—member of JayLib, finds new and innovative ways to praise his friend, collaborator, and Stones... Read more

February 10, 2015 Audio

J Dilla, Common & James Poyser Caught On Questlove’s Camera, Working In The Studio (Video)

One of the definitive albums of J Dilla's career was not his own, but rather, Common's Like Water For Chocolate. Comm's first LP out of the No I.D. and Dug Infinite pocket welcomed Jay Dee, Questlove, D'Angelo, James Poyser and the Soulquarians to the mix, along with DJ Premier and... Read more

February 10, 2015 Throwback

9 Years Since J Dilla Left Us, Frank Nitt & Slum Village Have A Timely Message (Video)

Nine years to the day since James Yancey left us, Frank-N-Dank's Frank Nitt (f/k/a Frank Nitti) drops the visual for a tie-in song. "Money On Mind," joined by his Yancey Boys cohort Illa J (Dilla's brother) as well as Jay Dee's Slum Village cofounder, T3, the record looks at how... Read more

February 10, 2015 Video

Raise It Up: Grasping The Entire Greatness Of J Dilla In Retrospect (Food For Thought)

On the heels of the first expanded Dilla Weekend, it is difficult to ignore the growth in posthumous fame that James Yancey (a/k/a Jay Dee or J Dilla) has accrued since passing away on this date, nine years ago. Like Amadeus Mozart's and Vincent Van Gogh's before him, Dilla's legacy... Read more

February 10, 2015 Food for Thought

Celebrate J. Dilla’s Birthday with a Look Back at an Extended Interview of Him (Video)

Happy birthday to J. Dilla, who would have turned 41 years old today. As the world continues to be blessed with a seemingly bottomless treasure trove of Dilla's beats, posthumously, looks back at the the man, himself, are much more rare. So, to celebrate the life of one of Hip-Hop's... Read more

February 7, 2015 Throwback

Celebrate Dilla Weekend From Wherever, With A One-Hour Instrumental Mix (Audio)

February 7 is J Dilla's birthday. The Slum Village co-founder and iconic producer would have been 41 years old today, and Heads are still celebrating his life, his art, and his impact. With Dilla Weekend going down in Miami, and other events in Los Angeles and elsewhere, you can join... Read more

February 7, 2015 Throwback

Slum Village Wax A Futuristic Sound For E(I)GO, Announce Next Album Guests (Audio)

Hitting the road as of this coming Dilla Weekend, Slum Village is feeling themselves. T3, Illa J, and Young RJ welcome Rosewood 2055 for "E(I)GO." The song all about swingin' some elbows at the haters is slowed down, keeping the brass involved, with that signature flow. Since 2005's self-titled LP,... Read more

February 5, 2015 Audio

Detroit Vs. Everybody: How One City Staged a Hip-Hop Takeover (Editorial)

Detroit, Michigan is historically, a fighter’s city. The sharp elbows of the Bad Boy-era Pistons, the unbreakable spirit of the autoworkers through the decline of the industry’s bountifulness, and the cold, harsh conditions of everyday life make for the Great Lakes State to be rugged, never smooth. In the context... Read more

January 24, 2015 Food for Thought

Pete Rock & Slum Village Announce A Bunch Of 2015 Tour Dates Together

Collaborators since 2000's Fantastic, Vol. 2, Pete Rock and Slum Village are going on the road together. The influential Mount Vernon, New York MC/producer/DJ joined by T3, Illa J, and Young RJ have announced more than 25 United States dates, beginning February 7, with an appearance (both acts) at Dilla... Read more

January 22, 2015 Fresh

Phat Kat & Elzhi Keep The Chemistry Strong, Over A Flip Beat (Lyric Video)

Less than two months removed from their own "Detroit vs. Everybody" rendition, "All Madden" Phat Kat and Elzhi are back in action. Australian producer Flip brought the D-boys together for "Without Warning." A lyric video does the moment and the energy proud, with color, images, and style. Flip's LP, Reflections... Read more

January 21, 2015 Video

2015 Dilla Weekend Hits Miami – Madlib, Joey Bada$$, Slum Village & More To Rock

After years of ongoing festivities, Dilla Day has now become Dilla Weekend. The family-sanctioned event honoring late producer/MC James "J Dilla" Yancey (a/k/a Jay Dee) has expanded and relocated to Miami, Florida. On February 5, 6, 7, and 8, the affair will take place in Dade County, with weekend-long tickets... Read more

January 6, 2015 Fresh

Phat Kat, Elzhi & Guilty Simpson Unite To Show It Really Is Detroit Vs. Everybody (Video)

In the wake of Eminem, Big Sean, Danny Brown, Royce Da 5'9," Trick-Trick and Dej Loaf's "Detroit vs. Everybody," other MCs from the cold D want in. Three artists who worked closely with the bulk of the new class, Phat Kat, Elzhi, and Guilty Simpson team up for "All Madden."... Read more

November 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

Finding The GOAT: Elzhi vs. Blu…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

November 18, 2014 Fresh

After Nas Sets Things Off, AZ Tries His Hand At Rhyming On J Dilla’s Donut (Audio)

Old friends, AZ and Nas watch each other's moves. As Nasir stole Hip-Hop's attention last week by taking one of J Dilla's 2006 Donuts beats, and coming up with "The Seasons," Tha Visualiza wanted in. AZ made his own rendition of "The Seasons," cuing up Jay Dee's "Gobstopper" instrumental. As... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Nas Is Recording Over J Dilla Donuts Beats. Now In CDQ (Video/Audio)

Nasty Nas is a rebel to convention. Since investing a stake in Mass Appeal (the magazine), the Queens icon has been making some really interesting, Hip-Hop culturally-minded moves. Deeply involved in Mass Appeal Records, Nas reportedly hand-picked signings of Fashawn, Bishop Nehru, and Boldy James...three artists that have been making... Read more

October 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Black Milk Releases a New Video and a Full Stream of His New Album (Audio & Video)

Capping off what has been an incredibly strong month of music releases, Black Milk treats us to the full stream of his new album, If There's a Hell Below. The album finds Black Milk in top form as he is joined in verse by Blu, Sean Price, Pete Rock, Bun... Read more

October 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghostface Killah Bring Elzhi Out For Gunshowers (Audio)

Ten years ago, would you ever imagine Ghostface Killah (then a key Def Jam acquisition) and Elzhi (then running with Slum Village) together? BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghost's Sour Soil makes that happen on "Gunshowers." This intricate instrumentation opens the gate for El' and Starks to bombard the microphone with sharp verbals,... Read more

October 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Random Axe Makes A Rare Group Appearance With Scum (Audio)

From Black Milk's If There's A Hell Below (October 28), his Random Axe outfit (Black Milk, Sean Price & Guilty Simpson) make their second appearance together this year on "Scum." One of the finest, hardest, and well—scummiest Sean Price verses in some years appears in a song with three different... Read more

October 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

When Diamond D Releases A New LP, It’s Kind Of A Big Deal. Check The Diam Piece (Album Stream)

This past week, Diamond D released his sixth solo album (fourth studio), The Diam Piece. The Empire-distributed LP from one of the keystones of the Diggin' In The Crates (D.I.T.C) family features Pete Rock, Talib Kweli, The Pharcyde, Tha Alkaholiks, Kurupt, Rapsody, Pharaohe Monch, Fat Joe and Freddie Foxxx, among... Read more

October 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Diamond D Seamlessly Teams With Elzhi, Talib Kweli & Skyzoo (Audio)

Diamond D laces the track from his just-released Diam Piece album. Although he doesn't rhyme on it, Diamond can surely relate to watching fickle fans, unprepared media, and pauper promoters that aren't treating art and the artists the way they ought to. Each MC takes the theme a little differently,... Read more

September 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

G.O.O.D Music’s Hudson Mohawke Lays Down A Mix Featuring Madlib, Rah Digga & D.I.T.C (Audio)

Hudson Mohawke is one of the plethora of artists in the G.O.O.D Music ensemble. Heads who like "Mercy" and "Blood On The Leaves" are familiar with his handiwork within the fold of hits, however the Glasgow, Scotland producer/DJ has a decade of work in the game, with ties to (other)... Read more

September 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Common & J Dilla’s The Light Was Part Of The Love Movement. Get The Backstory (Video)

Common's career took a tremendous turn on 2000's Like Water For Chocolate. At the perceived pinnacle of the Okay Player artist movement, Common and MCA Records made what is rarely considered the MC's best album, but may very well be his most important. Transitioning from the critical acclaim of 1997's... Read more

September 18, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

The Yancey Boys & Slum Village Heat It Up (Audio)

The J Dilla family tree is real. Slum Village-meets-Yancey Boys on "Global Warming." Illa J, who has spent time in both groups, joins Jay Dee's longtime homie Frank Nitti, as well as T3 in the song produced by Young RJ. With banging natural drums, some smooth autobiographical raps from each... Read more

August 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Black Milk & BADBADNOTGOOD Got That Bass For Your Face (Audio)

From its roots in Electronic and Techno music, Detroit, Michigan loves that low-end bass. Black Milk, teaming with BADBADNOTGOOD comes out with a trunk-rattling joint in "Now Or Never." This motivational speaker's track lets the beat do the work, while B.M. and BAD' vibe out with some edge to them.... Read more

August 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

For The First Time, Hear J. Dilla & Phat Kat’s – Detroit’s Finest EP Snippets (Audio)

Back in 1996 and 1997, Slum Village was not the only group that occupied the time belonging to J. Dilla (then known as Jay Dee). Dilla had established a longstanding partnership with fellow Detroit MC, Phat Kat. Known as 1st Down, the pair inked a contract with Payday Records (Jeru... Read more

July 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

J. Dilla is Being Formally Recognized by The Smithsonian as the National Treasure He Is (Video)

Salute to J. Dilla. While Hip-Hop has long celebrated the late producer/MC as a treasure, he is now also being formally recognized as such on a national level by The Smithsonian Museum. Dilla's beat equipment will be put on display at the Smithsonian's new museum of African American History &... Read more

July 18, 2014 Video

Elzhi Drops a Hot Verse in The Backroom. Prepare to Press Rewind (Video)

For more than a decade, in a storied Hip-Hop and 'dolo, Elzhi has been a lyrical force to be reckoned with. Almost exclusively an independent artist, the Detroit, Michigan MC was a welcomed guest to "106 & Park's" Backroom for a freestyle. Kicking those verbal smart-bombs that Elz' has been... Read more

July 13, 2014 Video

J Dilla’s Music Lives On In Latest Slum Village Cut, We On (Audio)

It's been 8 years since tragedy struck the Hip-Hop world and Detroit based group Slum Village when music producer extraordinaire, J Dilla, passed away as a victim to lupus. Despite his passing, Dilla's music continues to live on in the community, and today Slum Village drops another Dilla soundscape with... Read more

July 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

How About Some Unreleased Young, Pepped-Up J Dilla Rapping? (Audio)

J Dilla left behind a seemingly endless supply of unreleased music. Outside of his groups (Slum Village, JayLib), the producer/MC with more than one impresario loved recording. He did it nonstop, and also circulated tailor-made beat-tapes that are still surfacing. As part of Dilla's just-announced, family-endorsed box set, Rolling Stone... Read more

June 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Black Milk Looks At Risk-Rewards With For What It’s Worth (Audio)

Despite chart success, major label placements, and a celebrated catalog, Black Milk is still an underdog—especially in his native Detroit. On "For What It's Worth," B.M. looks at the disdain from haters and misunderstanders, and why great art doesn't necessarily equate to big ends. Self-produced, dreamy, and brutally honest...this is... Read more

June 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

14 Years Ago Today, Slum Village Released Their Defining, Fantastic, Volume 2. AFH Took A Trip Down Memory Lane With The Remaining Founding Member, T3 (Food For Thought Interview)

Fourteen years ago today, the sentinels of Hip-Hop history were forced to chisel out a fraction of its foundation and infinitely reserve the section for a budding, yet unconventional trio's 68-minute audible depiction of the essence of life in Detroit, Michigan. Whether the culture of Hip-Hop comprehended the significance of... Read more

June 13, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

Barrel Brothers Collide With Random Axe In All In Together (Audio)

All In Together Now was one of the pre-Wu-Tang names for the beginnings of the Wu-Tang Clan. Two established cliques made in the spirit of super-groups, Barrel Brothers (Torae & Skyzoo) and Random Axe (Sean Price, Guilty Simpson & Black Milk) cross paths on "All In Together." As expected, the... Read more

May 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

J Dilla’s Sought-After Collaboration With Supa Dave West Comes To The Light (Audio)

Not even at the halfway mark, 2014 has been especially big in unreleased J Dilla/Jay Dee music. The Slum Village co-founder's unheard gems continue to surface, this time by way of a collaboration with "Supa" Dave West. The De La Soul, Talib Kweli, and E-40 producer had a particular knock... Read more

May 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Detroit is in the Building. Slum Village Link with Black Milk on a Burner (Audio)

Slum Village and Black Milk have created a tough new Detroit collaboration. Black Milk supplies the beat and a verse and Slum Village do what they do. This is how to start a weekend...Check out We on the Go. Related: Black Milk Gives Herb Alpert A Hit Of Tronic For... Read more

April 25, 2014 Audio

J Dilla Love Songs Live On As The Yancey Boys Team With Eric Roberson For An Ill Groove (Video)

One of the flag-wavers in the J Dilla/Jay Dee legacy is The Yancey Boys. The Delicious Vinyl Records-backed outfit of Illa J (Dilla's brother) and Frank Nitti (of Frank-N-Dank), along with the posthumous works of Jay Dee has made some celebrated music since 2006, when the world lost a luminary.... Read more

April 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Remember Those Raw Jay Dee Verses? Here’s One You Haven’t Heard On J Dilla’s Give Em What They Want (Audio)

With Slum Village, and on his 2001 solo debut, Welcome 2 Detroit, J Dilla (as Jay Dee) was a cold cat. You can see why Dilla got along so well with Phat Kat and Guilty Simpson when it came to talking about accessorizing his truck, or enjoying carnal pleasures without... Read more

April 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

This Week in Hip-Hop Video Brought Vintage Interviews of Death Row & Bad Boy and Much More (Video)

This week in Hip-Hop video unearthed some extremely rare footage of Biggie, Dr. Dre, Snoop, Suge and Puffy...all in the same room. There were also stellar videos from Talib Kweli, Doppelgangaz, Trae Tha Truth, Slum Village, The Lox, Hi-Tek and Rakim, as well as great pieces on Bushwick Bill and... Read more

March 29, 2014 Playlists, Video

J Dilla’s Omnipresence Continues This Week, With Slum Village’s Yes Yes (Video)

Just a day removed from De La Soul's J Dilla-produced Smell The Da.I.S.Y. mixtape, Slum Village also unveils their continuing posthumous working relationship with the group co-founder. Jay Dee, along with the late Baatin, and T3 brought the Villa from the underground Hip-Hop waters of Detroit in the early '90s.... Read more

March 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

Sean Price & Crew Hop On A J Dilla Beat For Some Leave Ya Nose Bloody Raps (Audio)

Those J Dilla beats never seem to run on reserve. Random Axe's Sean Price makes another Detroit link when he hops on a leftover Jay Dee beat for "Barbituates." Joined by Sean P's latest right-hand, Queens veteran and former Mobb Deep affiliate Illa Ghee, as well as Labba and Rim,... Read more

March 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop to Drop in February 2014 (Audio Playlist)

February was a short month but it was not short on good music. Here's a playlist of some of the best Hip-Hop to drop in the month. You'll hear music from Schoolboy Q, Big Boi, Slum Village, Inspectah Deck, Black Milk, Rick Ross, Onyx, Snoop & Madlib, Prodigy & Alchemist,... Read more

March 5, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

De La Soul Reunites With J Dilla’s Producerial Essence On A Dope New Song (Audio)

When De La Soul releases ANY new song, it's usually a stop-the-presses moment for the Heads. However, learning that Amityville, Long Island's finest hopped on an unheard J Dilla track to make a song praising the late Jay Dee and his mom, Ma Dukes, is especially incredible. With the radio... Read more

March 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Phife Dawg Honors Dilla In This Endearing Visual To His Jay Dee Tribute (Video)

Just before the 2014 Dilla Day Detroit lineup was announced, Phife Dawg released "Dear Dilla," a touching tribute. After all, in his solo career and earlier, with A Tribe Called Quest, the 5 Foot Assassin was instrumental to getting Jay Dee placements. Since the event last week, Phife Diggy drops... Read more

February 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

How Deep Did J Dilla’s Crates Go? Deep As The Abyss & House Shoes Reminds You (Audio)

From Daft Punk to Steve Miller Band to Aretha Franklin, J Dilla's ears were scanning through a lot of music when it came time to craft his own compositions. That's why, even in his death, Heads are still finding stashes of Dilla's vinyl collection in storage units, stores, and elsewhere.... Read more

February 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

What Would Michael Jackson Sound Like On A J Dilla Beat? J Rocc Got The Answers (Audio)

Years ago, J Rocc, the third member of JayLib, and Dilla's label-mate at Stones Throw Records made "Dill Jackson." The mash-up mixes meshed the worlds of Michael Jackson with Jay Dee. It's not designed to rock a party, or be cute. Rather, The Beat Junkies member took two artists who... Read more

February 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

How’s About Some New Slum Village Over An Unreleased Jay Dee Beat? J Dilla Forever! (Audio)

In honor of 40 years to the day since J Dilla's birth, the donutty treats just keep coming. Slum Village, which presently includes group co-founder T3, as well as (J Dilla's younger brother) Illa J and Young RJ teamed with some unreleased material, in the way of beats and rhymes,... Read more

February 7, 2014 Audio