Despite a rotating cast and heated debate surrounding the authenticity of their name, Slum Village’s run has far outlasted the expectancy of observant skeptics. Originally the brainchild of J. Dilla, T3 and Baatin, the trio only produced one official release in the immaculate Fantastic Vol. 2, a cult classic that can be viewed as a gift and a curse in hindsight. With the well-documented passing of Dilla and the elephant in the room that was Baatin’s tragic fate, the group’s naiveté and innocence have since taken a backseat to T3’s measured means of career survival. 15 years and six albums past their timeless debut, YES! is Slum Village’s latest attempt to create magic from a mix of fond memories and present hope.
Refusing to be weighed down by loss, T3’s ongoing resilience has been the natural byproduct of a hard fight to escape Detroit’s depressive status quo. Feeling left with no choice but to carry the torch, over time he has aligned with the esteemed Elzhi and an assortment of others to pick up any potential slack in lieu of a rocky solo career. YES! extends his trajectory as the sole living member of the original Slum Village unit, a brand that has now come to represent more than the sum of its parts. With the exception of Black Milk (who also makes a vocal appearance) on “We On The Go”, production is handled by way of Dilla outtakes and regular contributor Young RJ, making this completely a family affair. Though just on the cusp of pandering to long time tagalongs, the earnest respect for SV’s legacy should go appreciated overall.
A staunch advocate with a sharp ear will be able to distinguish between J. Dilla’s cutting room floor material and the fully executed visions on YES! Mostly retrospective snapshots of the departed legend’s trade, the mellow and bass heavy “Expressive” comes off bland and expired as if it were never meant to see the light of day. Albeit also falling slightly short of originality, Aftermath affiliate Jon Connor impressively goes to bat over vintage Jay Dee drums on the hardcore left field “Tear It Down”. The remix to “Yes Yes” puts another one of the late great James Yancey’s renowned staples to use with the handclap style of percussion. Given his reputation for seamless reinvention, it’s mildly disheartening to find his sounds recycled in 2015 without express consent given.
As Slum Village’s most utilized producer over their past few LPs, Young RJ’s musicality helps them appeal to day-one followers in a more modern manner. His piano-driven melodies bring the best out of T3 who addresses the chip on his shoulder on the somber “Right Back”. Holding his own alongside usual show stealer Posdnuos he laments: “Aint it hella kinda strange where they list him/I’m not a victim/I’m just tired of niggas that say they know bout Dilla, but they don’t fuck with Villa.” Bringing similar fire to “Push It Along” (also done by RJ), the relatively new guard outshines extended family member and Native Tongue graduate Phife Dawg who has lost a few steps over the years.
Young RJ is the secret weapon in Slum Village’s arsenal, both “Too Much” and “Where We Come From” being near perfect reminders of their past exuberance. While Baatin and Dilla appear posthumously, with YES! we’re left wondering what their evolution would have become under brighter circumstances. As for T3, he remains an adequate emcee regardless of facing slanderous accusations that he uses the crew’s name to coast off of former glory. Left to his own creative devices and unable to feed off of the organic energy of his day one cohorts, his best shots at carrying on tradition are generally respectable.
This is a very good album, its definitely up there with the best albums of the year in my opinion. Shame it wont get the recognition it deserves.
I agree with reviewer below – very good album that will fly under the radar.
It’s musically their best album since fantastic vol2.. However.. Dilla, El, and tin are gone from th group. So to have a group that’s interchanging members over and over again like the supremes is silly. This album to me sounds more like a tribute album from someone else honoring what was once an amazing group. They are trying to bring the feel back but it’s clearly manufactured and artificial. They should definitely end it after this.
The great album! In my TOP-10 of the year.
Get some coffee and a Qtip!!
Can a PIONEER live?!
What’s the debate about the authenticity of the name SLUM VILLAGE?! What Rocky solo career? what are you saying, the clairvoyance behinds yalls hate is Swarovski!!
Why every time Yall mention Slum Village, it’s got to come off with a negative spin like yall always tryna throw subliminal jabs, using words like adequate!! Really!! Yall ain’t even funny no mo, as a fan of the group and a regular on these pages, I find it hard to support people that would use this forum as a means for damn near slandering an artist. A Detroit HipHop pioneer!! T3 is adequate, while Elzhi is esteemed!!?? Really!! Lol You got me to laugh on that one. Ask his hundreds of fans that supported/funded his Kickstarter campaign almost two years ago that hasn’t produced an album yet, how esteemed he is. my question is what did T3 do to somebody at HIPHOP DX cause clearly someone has an axe to grind.
If Dilla had the torch, Baatin had the matches and T3 lit them bitches and walked off with the torch into the arena to thunderous applause who are you to tell him to put the torch down!!??
SLUM VILLAGE is his name!! He built that shit!! From beginning to the end, he’s been there, nobody has put in more physical,emotional, spiritual essence into SLUM VILLAGE than T3!!
The person that started Microsoft with Bill Gates has to change the name of the business because Bill died?! That shh don’t even make sense.
Where they do that at?!
The bottom line is yall come out with this two/three week old WAack review when THE FANS HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN!!!
GO GET A LATE PASS!!
the album is DOPE!! Many are saying the best album since Fantastic Vol.2!! That would include all the albums with your beloved Elzhi. Yes! T3 as the primary vocalist as SLUM VILLAGE made an album that many are saying is a classic!! One of the best albums of the year 2015. #thefanshavespoken #letitgo
Dilla production is Vintage like fine wine it just gets better with time.
Slum Village, Pete Rock, Tiron and Ayomari
That’s all I’ve been bumpin for the last month!!
Slum Village Yes is straight FIRE!!!!! #Top10 HipHop albums this year!!
This bangs. But HHDX needs to fix their ratings system, come on!. 4 out of 7 people gave it a 5 and the average rating is 2.86???!!! Come on, y’all. Get with it please.
I wonder why almost every single underground rap album gets 3.5 stars.
It looks like someone coded an script so no matter if the album is wack or masterpice, if it falls within the underground hiphop category it will get a 3.5
dope
Dope
no!
It’s the Slum Village style, but updated and refined a bit. Great for bumping during sex or when you want a chill ride around town.