Slum Village shocked the hip-hop community when Elzhi and T3 took to their Twitter profiles to announce that the group’s next album, Villa Manifesto, would be their last. But they’re going out on a high note. The group’s sixth studio LP, set to be released via E1 Records on July 27, knocks with the cushy precision of its predecessors while featuring new verses from all five members: T3, Elzhi, Baatin, J Dilla and Illa J. With production from Khrysis, Young RJ, Dilla, Hi-Tek, Mr. Porter and Dave West, the album marks the end of an era for not only Detroit rap, but for hip-hop culture. Fortunately for us, they close the SV chapter with a bang. The album is now streaming fully on the Slum Village Myspace. DONT BOOTLEG SV. YRB

Slum Village – Scheming Feat (J Dilla), Posdnuous, & Phife (Prod. Young RJ)

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Slum Village – 2000 Beyond

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written by nevill \\ tags: baatin, barak records, dave west, detroit, e1 records, elzhi, hi-tek, illa j, j dilla, Khrysis, mr porter, rip, scheming, slum village, t3, villa manifesto, young rj

Monsieur Onra just dropped his 2nd 12-inch from his epic “Long Distance” LP. This one comes with not one, but two special Detroit workouts courtesy of Waajeed. You also get a bonus beat from Onra and the original instrumental. Limited to 300 copies on vinyl only. So hurry up and head on over to Rush Hour and buy the vinyl HERE!

Onra Ft. T3 - The One (Another Waajeed Remix)

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written by nilez \\ tags: 12", bonus beat, detroit, electronic beats, france, hip hop, instrumental, limited edition, limited vinyl, long distance, onra, rush hour, slum village, t3, the one, waajeed

When I first heard Onra‘s Funk-inspired 12″ on Allcity Records I thought whut?! But now that I’ve heard the entire album, I’m like ‘oh that’s what’s up’. It all comes together on the album and once again OlivierDaySoul blows my mind on “My Mind Is Gone”. This guy is the future and we’ll be hearing more in the near future I hope. On “The One” T3 from Slum Village drops some funky rhymes and Walter Mecca (France) does it “To The Beat”. Really nice to hear more producers getting influenced by that eighties boogie funk. Get ready to spend some money, because this is a must BUY!

Onra – My Mind Is Gone Ft. OlivierDaySoul (Snippet)

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written by nilez \\ tags: all city, allcity, boogie, dublin, eighties, funk, long distance, my mind is gone, olivierdaysoul, onra, paris, slum village, t3, the one, to the beat, walter mecca

Now Burn Rubber and Acapulco Gold teamed up for the Detroit Riots project. Check out their website for more information and enjoy this posse cut featuring Fat Ray, Ro Spit, T3, Phatboy Chef, Marv Won, One Be Lo, Buff 1 & Fatt Father. To top it off this joint was produced by none other than Black Milk…enjoy!

Burn Bubber X Acapulco Gold – Detroit Riots

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written by nilez \\ tags: acapulco gold, black milk, buff1, burn rubber, detroit riots, fat ray, fatt father, marv won, one be lo, phatboy chef, ro spit, slum village, t3

Dope Man is the first single from Slum Village‘ The Villa Manifesto that drops December 8th, which leads up to the full-length Villa Manifesto LP next year, which will feature tracks as the fully united Slum Village. Shouts to Meka & Michigan HipHop .

Slum Village – Dope Man (Prod. Young RJ)

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written by nevill \\ tags: baatin, detroit, dope man, elzhi, j dilla, slum village, t3, villa manifesto

Eric Roberson is back after two years with a long awaited reply after “Left”. He says: “I’m a singer and a songwriter…but I’m a music fan first”. His upcoming album “Music Fan First” features artists like Lalah Hathaway, W. Ellington Felton, Sy Smith and Slum Village. Leading up to the release Eric has been running a ’17 days to Music Fan First’ promotion. Each day he previews and explains the thought behind each track and you can view them HERE. Available on CD and digital download August 24th or pre-order via Dome Records. If you happen to be in London on the 25th hop by the Traffic Bar to enjoy the official album release party. Shout out to miss Rah from soulBEAUTIFUL inc…

Eric Roberson – Further Feat. T3 from Slum Village

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Eric Roberson – The Newness

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written by nilez \\ tags: dome records, eric roberson, lalah hathaway, left, music fan first, release party, sampler, slum village, sy smith, t3, the esoteric movement, the vault, traffic bar, w. ellington felton

If you are looking for a new sound, a raw, soulful, hip-hop distinct sound, a sound different from the solo beat machine, then you must listen to Ab and Daru’s “A Work in Progress”. This new Midwest sound is a combination of live instrumentation and the refreshingly vibrant, eclectic soulful vocals of AB placed over the music of beat maker/drummer, Daru. 

I gave the album a listen and came to the conclusion that “A.W.I.P” is a pretty above average release. You get some very nice, live beats and AB delivers some nice vocals on the tracks. The guest appearances are the icing on the cake and with Elzhi, T3, Black Milk and Rena you got a damn nice package all together. Tracks like “Voicemail” and “On Deck” can be considered as the best tracks, but don’t underestimate tracks like “All Alone” and “Fresh”. All in all a very nice album and if I’d have to rate it, I guess a 7.5 out of 10 would be in order. Help these guys pay their rent and buy their album on iTunes!

AB & Daru Feat. Elzhi – Voicemail

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AB & Daru Feat. Black Milk – On Deck

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written by nilez \\ tags: a work in progress, a.w.i.p, ab, black milk, daru, daru beats, elzhi, on deck, rena, slum village, t3, voicemail

With years of recording and worldwide touring under his belt as a member of Slum Village, Elzhi finally brings us his debut album The Preface, which should cement his name amongst the truly great emcees in hip hop. Produced almost entirely by rising star Black Milk, The Preface shows Elzhi displaying not only his unpredictable flows and rhyme schemes, but also an impressive variety of concepts and subject matter. Guest appearances by Royce Da 5’9”, T3 (Slum Village), Guilty Simpson, Phat Kat, and more of the finest talent from Detroit only add to what will certainly be one of the most noteworthy Hip Hop releases of 2008. Get it at FATBEATS. Also Available in a MP3 ZIP file here.

Elzhi – Talking in my Sleep

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Elzhi – Yeah Feat. Phat Kat

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written by moovmnt \\ tags: black milk, detroit, elzhi, guilty simpson, j dilla, phat kat, slum village, solo album, t3, the preface

Elzhi

Gyeeeaaahh!  Elzhi is arguably and even most likely the greatest lyricist alive.  No one has the word play as well as fresh delivery like he does.  Without a doubt one of the most slept on emcees that doesn’t get the recognition he deserves because he doesn’t go out wearing super tight jeans, bright colors, and all that other mess.  OMER SAAR

Elzhi – Save ya Feat.T3

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Elzhi – Fire (Prod by Black Milk)

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written by moovmnt \\ tags: black milk, detroit, elzhi, save ya, slum village, solo album, t3