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Starpoynt Magazine

Star Power

Slum Village Drives Neo Rap

Yea, that's a new one - neo rap. Truthfully, that's probably what Outkast was in its hey day, too. It's a combination of soulful sounds and contemporary rap. Gee, did I just define it? Not really. It's just a way of categorizing Slum Village because they are at once hip hop and R&B. With the group's fifth album, which is self-titled, comes a new sense of its Star Power, too. Have you seen the spanking new Chevy commercials featuring the Motor City's dynamic duo, aka Slum Village?
Truthfully, Slum Village has a lot of history in Detroit beyond the car companies. This is the group that introduced the world to Dwele (who is also featured on this latest album) on its "Trinity" album in 2002 and gave wings to producer J. Dilla, who now has his own outstanding career.
Slum Village is out on a new label, Barak Records, and on the road (in their new Chevys [smile]) promoting the self-titled CD. Starpoynt waved member T3 down for a few words...

Star - What have you learned in the last few years that you were able to apply to this new album?
SV - Sometimes you just have to give the fans what they want. It's dedicated to the fans. We were going to walk on the creative side a little more this time, but being that we have been through so much, we felt we had to go back and give the people what they were accustomed to.

Star - Did you guys have any musical training coming up? Do you write your own material? Can you read music? Play instruments?
SV - I play but I had no formal training. I'm self taught on keys and drums and different percussion. This formation came together four years ago. Basically, I started off managing. Another guy was in the group and his focus was different, so I stepped into it with Elzhi.

Star - What is your label situation now?
SV - Independent. The situation with Capitol... our contract expired. It made it easy for us to make this change. We've had a lot of cool things happen, like this Detroit director shot a video with us and we ended up shooting a commercial for Chevy's new HHR. It aired during the Vibe awards. We're in the commercial and our music is the background. Anthony Garr is the director - he

submitted the concept to Chevy and they loved it.

Star - Talk about the album - what are some of your favorite tracks?
SV - This album has my top favorites. The songs are dedicated to the drama we went through with the member changes and we are kind of closing that chapter so we don't have to explain it anymore. "'05" is a song I like because everything is live on it, and "Death" is about us. It's like a marriage. With all the drama, we are still going to stick together. And the live music makes it sound bigger and stronger. "Call Me" is a song about being on the road and not being able to talk to or see your girl. We have an Isley Brothers sample on that one. I wrote on every song. We equally write on every song.

Star - What can we expect from Slum Village in the future?
SV - More music. The Slum Village movie we are working on should be done next year. We're just going to continue to get our music out there.

Star - What advice would you give to young people aspiring to be recording artists?
SV - No. 1 is that the game has changed, so the whole thing about sending your music off as a demo ain't happening. The best way you get noticed is to be known in your own city by doing shows and getting yourself out there. Labels are not signing artists unless they are packaged and ready. You need to be ready... already be selling albums and already have a name for yourself.

Star - Who are you listening to these days... what's in your CD player?
SV - I like a lot of artists. Kanye, Common. I don't listen to a lot of R&B. I still like R. Kelly, though. And I do like Mariah Carey.

Star - What's special about Slum Village, what's new that will make you stand out?
SV - What we're ding no one else is doing... that's Motown based soul music. No one has claimed that title but Slum Village. If you like soul with rap on it, that is us. If you don't like that, then I guess we won't see you in the audience!

The new self-titled CD is in stores now!

Feedback, submissions, ideas? E-mail Carol Ozemhoya at Starpoynt@AOL.com Or... write Carol Ozemhoya, 1030 Calibre Springs Way, Atlanta, GA 30342. 404.843.3208 phone.