Chances are, if you are anywhere near the Detroit music scene, you have heard of the influential hip hop trio that makes up Slum Village. The group was founded in the early 90′s by 3 childhood friends: Baatin, T3, rapper and producer J Dilla, who all grew up together in the Conant Gardens neighborhood of Detroit, MI. After leaving Pershing High School, the trio began to forge a path into the Detroit underground hip hop scene and quickly found themselves steadily gaining popularity, where they originally went by the name Ssenepod. With a growing momentum now cemented in the underground, the group took on a forward trajectory toward bigger and better things, and in 1991 changed their name to Slum Village. J Dilla joined the production team known as The Ummah, which produced the two last A Tribe Called Quest studio albums, as well as hits for a number of R&B and hip hop musicians, and in 1996, they recorded their first album Vol. 1″ , recorded in Dillas basement and RJ Rice Studios, it was critically acclaimed in the Detroit underground scene. It later found its way into the hands of A Tribe Called Quest’s own Q-Tip, who played it for some of hip hop’s elite, such as Busta Rhymes, Questlove, and D’angelo. This fruitful alliance led to an opening gig for A Tribe Called Quest on their Farewell tour in 1998. In 2010, the album “Villa Manifesto” was released under Ne’astra/Koch Records, featuring the late Baatin. By that time Elzhi had decided to move on and focus on pursuing his own solo career. Even though the group has suffered many heartaches and member changes, Slum Village always finds a way to reinvent themselves. At present, the evolution of Slum Village continues with a reinvigorated energy, with founding member T3 holding down the legacy , and grammy nominated producer Young RJ and Illa j, the young prodigy at his side. Slum Village has a new mixtape “Dirty Slums”, presented by DJ Mick Boogie, featuring artists such as Big Sean, Rapper Big Pooh, De La Soul, Focus, Skyzoo, Phonte, and Phife,after 100,000+downloads and rave reviews, the group released an official full length album and are planning on a sequel …As the industry changes, so has Slum Village, and yet and still while some think SV may have crashed and burned, they just keep coming up like the rising phoenix.

Stic & M-1 are Dead Prez. Real, Revolutionary Hip-Hop with a Gangsta Lean.

American rapper and founding member of Ultramagnetic MC's. Better known as Kool Keith (one of his numerous aliases), has also recorded extensively both as a solo artist and as part of many groups. He worked together with many notable names in the hip hop scene, such as Ice-T (as Analog Brothers), Dan The Automator (as Dr. Octagon), Tim Dog (as Ultra), Kut Masta Kurt (as The Diesel Truckers and Masters Of Illusion) or Godfather Don (as The Cenobites).

Prince Paul, DJ , Producer , man of mystery , crime fighter and peoples champion . Hip hop Skit inventor Producer of 3 grammy award winning albums, as well as nominations ," Best Prodcer of the year" 1990 New york music awards. in addition to numerous awards gold and platnum plaques. Paul considers himself quiet , quirky and Humble.."I never seen this coming .. I thought I was going to be a postman" .. Born in Queens NY , raised in Amityville Long island . Started Djing at the age of 10 . joined his first crew ( Eveready crew) in the 6th grade. Went on to joining "Newkirk" aka "Kid wonder", "Mic Teelux" and "Sugar Ray" to form "The Soul brothers" in Jr High School. Paul also scored The Showtime Movie " The best thief " with Newkirk "aka "The Lord Brothers" ..Paul has since produced "Politics of the business" a very misunderstood and underrated album ( hey . but whats new ;) .. The DIX .. " the art of picking up women" " Goldust " and "Itstrumental" which Paul considers "for fun albums .. not to be taken seriously but to just enjoy".. Most recently Paul Just finished Producing an album with Newkirk for Funk Keyboard Legend Bernie Worrell ( label TBD).." this album is one of the best things ive done in a long time .. too bad it probably will hardly ever be heard by the masses". Also a small part on Vh1 white rapper show with MC Serch . And Paul Spins all around the world to showing he can still still rock a party ;) .. Paul is recently planning a few new releases for this year." I better do it now before this becomes a lost art or people just flat out dont want to hear me anymore " You can also hear Paul On XM radio the Rhyme 65 on the illout show also see www.myspace..theilloutshow . XM is running repeats of the show now, the show is hip hop at its best , zany, fun and to put it simply arguably the best show on XM Radio .. they are still awaiting XM to give them a budget and put them on the roster for 07 .. People there is so much to write I think it will have to stop here .. dont be suprised by all the things thats left out , my fingers are getting tired. hopefully Paul will not retire ( as hes been stating ) and continue to have fun and be creative.