With modesty and respect for those in the game who came before them, Mega Ran and Young RJ hope to use their relatable and very real story to reach the ears of new listeners. Ran and RJ are starting the year off strong with their debut single “Pray” with Europe’s own Abstract Orchestra & Daru Jones, produced by Young RJ. It is the lead focus track off their upcoming full-length album 2HandsUp due out March 2020.

Stream “Pray” below and feel free to leave us a comment, telling us what you think.

The post Slum Village’s Young RJ and Mega Ran Drop New Single “Pray” Feat. Abstract Orchestra & Daru Jones appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Slum Village’s Young RJ. Photo Credit: Instagram

As a forever present unofficial-turned-official member of the legendary rap group Slum Village, producer/rapper Young RJ has twice been entrusted with continuing the legacy of Detroit’s most important rap group. But with a prosperous music career behind the scenes and officially as part of the group, he’s ready to speak for himself with his solo debut, Blaq Royalt. And he explores various forms of corruption in new video “Huh?!”

The rapper/producer has produced for the likes of Slum Village, 50 Cent and G-Unit, Eric Roberson, De La Soul and Little Brother. On upcoming album Blaq Royalt, he shows the same musical versatility that made him such a reliable producer.

“Huh” employs ominous synths for a ruthless, chase-checking mentality to music; “Issues” (ft. BJ The Chicago Kid) finds common ground through everyday struggle; and “Right Now” has the seductive vibe of Slum’s classics. Music fans have depended on Young RJ’s ear for decades, and he delivers as always.

Young RJ’s solo career has been a long time coming. As a child, he toured with his parents, who founded the Detroit R&B band R.J.’s Latest Arrival, while family friend, founding member of Slum Village and legendary producer J Dilla taught him how to program a drum machine and mix songs as a teenager. Once Dilla felt he was ready, he asked for Young RJ’s help with completing “Climax,” a fan favorite from Slum Village’s seminal 2000 album Fantastic Vol. 2.

YOUNG RJ’s tutelage was put to the test when Slum Village’s roster was shaken up: Dilla left to pursue a solo career, Baatin left because of health issues and Elzhi entered as a new member. Young RJ co-produced and engineered on their transitional album Trinity (Past, Present and Future), and as on “Climax,” his contributions were largely uncredited. But after paying dues, RJ began to have his name attached to his works.

Soon-there-after, YOUNG RJ and Black Milk formed the group B.R. Gunna, produced a compilation project called Dirty District Vol. 2, and were tasked with producing Slum Village’s following two albums, Detroit Deli (2002) and Slum Village (2005).

Despite finding new mainstream success, Slum Village went on hiatus after 2005, leaving YOUNG RJ free to build his own catalog. Forever his mentor, an inspiring conversation with Dilla before his death in 2006 led Young RJ to work and study old school bands like One Way and Zapp to sharpen his music chord progressions. As his sound matured he began to place beats with 50 Cent, G-Unit members Lloyd Banks and Young Buck, Little Brother, De La Soul, Eric Roberson and Proof (of Eminem’s group D12).

But just as he began to build momentum, family business called: Slum Village was ready to return. RJ abandoned his outside work to resume a workhorse producer/engineer role. But the group dissolved just as quickly as they reemerged: Baatin tragically died in 2009, and Elzhi left the group.

Determined to keep the group alive, RJ honored a late wish by Baatin and in 2012 officially joined Slum Village as a producer and a member. It was his first time regularly rocking the mic since childhood, but nevertheless, he and T3 reinforced Slum Village’s legacy with two critically-acclaimed albums, Evolution(2013) and Yes! (2015), and during the past five years they performed multiple worldwide tours. He then returned to his Detroit studio to prepare his debut.

“Creating my first solo project gives me a different sense of freedom, although my music is based on the Slum Village philosophy of sound, people will now get insight into one of the men behind the music,” states Young RJ.

Social Media: 

https://www.instagram.com/youngrj313/

https://www.facebook.com/YoungRJ313/

https://twitter.com/youngrj313

https://soundcloud.com/youngrj313

The post New Music: Slum Village’s Young RJ Denounces the Evils of Social Media in New Video “Huh” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

As the time gets closer and closer to the release of J Dilla‘s newest album, fans are growing anxious and more artists are paying homage to the late producer/rapper to pass the time. To add to the recent tributes to J Dilla, Slum Village, Black Milk, Guilty Simpson and Phat Kat have teamed up for The Kings Court Tour. The tour will be will be celebrating the life and music of J Dilla and the influence he left behind on music.

The Kings Court tour will be making a pit stop in NYC on April 19th at the Highline Ballroom and RESPECT. Mag has teamed up with Move Forward Music to a lucky fan a pair of tickets to hit up the show!

In order to enter to win, you must follow RESPECT. Mag on Twitter and tweet us your favorite J Dilla track of all time. A winner will be chosen on April 15th. Good luck!

Suggested Articles:

Unreleased J Dilla Track Features Snoop Dogg & Kokane

Stream J Dilla’s 41-Instrumental LP ‘Dillatronic’

The post RESPECT. Ticket Giveaway: The Kings Court Tour in NYC appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The anticipation continues to mount as Detroit vocalist Illa J prepares to release his debut album, S/T later on this year. In the meantime, Illa’s been hitting us off with dope collabs by way of Canadian production duo, Potatohead People, and also with the legendary hip-hop group, Slum Village. Visuals for the superlatively soulful “Universe” star Illa J’s real life beau as his leading lady, which further adds to the ‘awww’ factor as he successfully woos the woman of his dreams all over again.

“Universe” taken from the forthcoming S/T album, slated for release October 2nd via Bastard Jazz.

The post New Video: Illa J – “Universe” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Slum Village has released the visual to their latest ode to women, “Expressive.” The Detroit lyricists’ 8th studio album, “Yes!” will available for purchase on June 16th (available for streaming now). The album features appearances from Black Milk, Bilal, Phife Dawg, Illa J, and production from original member, J. Dilla.

The post Slum Village Feat. BJ The Chicago Kid – “Expressive” (Official Video) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Slum Village is back and they have released their new album, YES!, as a stream with Rolling Stone. The album is set to officially release on June 16th via Barack Records. YES! features guest spots from De La Soul, Jon Connor, Phife, J Dilla, Black Milk, BJ The Chicago Kid, Bilal, Illa J and J Ivy. Member, T3, describes to Rolling Stone as the album being “progressive vintage soul” and Young RJ adds it was “made for Slum Village fans, the true lovers of feel good music”. Hip-hop fans around the world can appreciate YES! Listen to the stream below.

Pre-order YES! now on iTunes.

The post Slum Village Drops Stream Of “YES!” with Rolling Stone appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Detroit’s staple lyricists Elzhi (formerly Slum Village) and Phat Kat have linked with Flip to bring you hip-hop in its purest form on “Without Warning.” Little introduction is needed for such a record, sealed with a dope visual by Mad Hiaz.

On February 17th Flip is set to release his long-awaited producer compilation album Reflections via Ill Adrenaline Records. On it He links up with some United States’ heavyweights, blessing the masses with featured emcees that will include Guilty Simpson, and Killah Priest along with others like Kev Brown, Tragic Allies and more. Mark your calendar folks: February 17th Reflections will be available digitally and in almost every physical form.

As stated previously, Flip is a hip-hop producer based out of Austria with a background of 20+ years in the game. His sound is heavily reminiscent of Hip-Hop’s golden era, the boom-bap years. Yes his production is raw, gritty and pure hip-hop, but it’s not stuck in a time machine by any means. Flip is not afraid to experiment and incorporate some synthesizer-heavy or non-formulaic layouts when he’s building beats. All these elements will definitely be present on Reflections.

The post New Video: Flip-“Without Warning” ft. Elzhi & Phat Kat appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.