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On
the count
of three
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Detroit’s Slum Village shape up for battle
by SCOTT
C
After emerging almost four years ago as perhaps one of
the most bootlegged acts in the history of hip hop, Detroit’s
Slum Village have seen their share of major label upset and underground
acclaim. Powerhouse producer Jay Dee has left the group, save for a
few tracks included on the new LP, Trinity (Past, Present, and Future).
MCs T3 and Baatin have been joined by skills-first/battle-weapon MC
Elzhi, and the group is enjoying a mild push from their new label Capitol.
The Mirror caught up with T3 in Atlanta, where he was getting ready
for a show with Phife and Jarobi.
Mirror: It’s been
almost three years since the first time I talked to you, man, and back
then you were pretty bitter about the whole label foolishness thing.
It’s a new day, and I want to know how you’re feeling in
terms of the new SV.
T3: Well, we’re getting a lot of love, we did
good our first week with the new album, and things seem to be looking
pretty good for us, y’know?
M: Looks like the addition
of Elzhi as an MC has raised the bar a bit, lyrically, for you and Baatin,
no?
T3: He definitely did, man. Thinking of the place that
Slum used to come from, Elzhi is coming from a freestyle and battle
background, and that makes us write a little more intensely. Our last
album was like a feel-good record. We were instruments on the track
more than a lyrical presence, but he changes that whole dynamic.
M: I noticed you seem
to be getting your hands dirty on a lot more of the production on both
the Slum album and that Dirty District comp you put out.
T3: I usually work with my partner Young RJ. We just
got a squad with Wajeed and Blak, Kariem Riggins, and we just try to
punch out these tracks and come with the Detroit flavour.
M: That’s a lot
of people to fill one man’s shoes. A lot of people are still wondering
why in the hell Jay Dee decided to walk and do his own thing. His production
had a lot to do with the unique sound and feeling of Slum Village.
T3: They’re right to wonder. I would want to
know too, y’know? He’s just pursuing his solo career right
now. He wanted to establish himself as an MC, and just show that aspect
of his talents. I heard a few songs, and most of them he’s not
even on the beats. It’s just him rappin’.
M: Who’s beats is
he rhyming on?
T3: He got beats from eeeeverybody!! I can’t
say exactly who, but he got beats from quite a few people.
M: You should throw him
some of yours, man!
T3: I did (laughs)! I did!
M: So you looking forward
to playing with Nelly?
T3: (laughs) We ain’t never done nothin’
with Nelly before—
M: It’s a weird
match-up, no?
T3: It is. I don’t know who hooked it up, but
you know what? His audience is a whole different crowd and we’re
happy to bring them something else. It’ll be interesting. :
At Cream with Nelly and the St.
Lunatics, les Architekts and the Rascalz at the Molson Centre on Saturday,
Aug. 31, 7pm, $35–65
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