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.

Slum Village landed their first record deal in 1998 with Barak/AM records. Due to label politics, the group was forced to release their album “Best Kept Secret” under the alias J-88,. Their now classic record, “Fantastic, Vol. 2″ was also in production, but was not officially released until 2000 through Barak/GoodVibe Records. “Fantastic Vol. 2″ was dubbed an immediate classic from fans and industry tastemakers. This album featured an A list line up including Busta Rhymes, Common, D’angelo, Jazzy Jeff, Pete Rock, Kurupt, and Q-Tip who passed the torch to Slum Village on the record “Hold Tight”. On the heels of this record release followed a tour with The Roots on the Okay Players tour/D’angelo Voodoo tour.

In 2001, while sitting down to discuss future plans, J Dilla made the decision to leave the group to pursue his solo career, citing the group was well established enough to move on without him. With J Dilla still around helping Young RJ with production, Baatin and T3 started work on their next album “Trinity” through Barak/Capital Records, featuring Elzhi on 6 of the tracks. This album would feature their first commercial single “Tainted” which ft an unknown Dwele, also disco and the remix produced by Timberland. Slum was presented with their headlining opportunity on the Family Tree tour, featuring Phife from A Tribe Called Quest.

In 2002, Dirty District, a compilation of songs by Detroit rappers largely produced by T3 and Young RJ, was released. The group then became a duo consisting of T3 and Elzhi, Baatin became sick touring shortly before the release of their 2004 album, Detroit Deli (A Taste of Detroit) and departed to seek treatment. The album included the hit single, “Selfish”, produced by Kanye West and featuring John Legend. The song samples a part of the intro to the hit song “Call Me” by Aretha Franklin. After parting ways with Capitol Records in 2005, they released Prequel to a Classic, a mixtape of mostly previously unreleased material, Slum went back into the studio to record the self-titled album Slum Village, with production from Young RJ and Black Milk. Following the album’s release, they went on tour with Shady Aftermath group, D12.

Tragedy struck in 2006 in the form of the loss of founding member J Dilla, to lupus, which put the group on a 4 year hiatus. In 2009, T3 reunited Baatin with the group, brought in Illa J (of Yancey Boys fame and J Dilla’s brother), and along with Young RJ, RJ Rice and Elzhi, started production on their next album, Villa Manifesto. Slum Village went back on the road as a trio including Baatin. Later in 2009 , Slum village performed at Rock the Bells as a trio consisting of T3 , Elzhi and Baatin, with the latter still coping with bipolar schizophrenia making him unable to travel when the tour continued into Canada that year. While T3 and Elzhi performed the Canadian shows, tragedy struck for a second time, claiming Baatin that summer at home in Detroit, his death was felt deeply throughout the Detroit Hip Hop scene.

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.

A Chicago born and bred emcee. Singer/songwriter. A wild guitarist. A random lyricist. Managed by Aria Movement and ambassador to Chicago Tribe b-boy crew.

Rapping and battling on Chicago’s Hip Hop scene since the age of 14 has given him a fearless stage presence. Songs are one thing, but live, Aerias goes all out. Every show is “the last show”.

Currently in Chicago and promoting his current EP “What Doesn’t Kill You” (An homage to getting up when beaten and bloodied by Life) he’ll hit the road to finally do what he’s been wanting to., lighting hearts on fire one by one and city by city, word by word.

If a revolver has 6 bullets…Aerias is the 7th one. He’s the last spitter in Chicago Tribe. From battle hardened emcee to aggressively passionate punk, he’ll do anything to rock a show. From live guitar solos to live acapellas and freestyles that are actually freestyles (cmon now). He’ll steal hearts to make em stronger and he’ll yell things others wouldn’t even think of whispering.

On his 2nd album, he wants to surpass his 1st album, “Running Blindfolded”, by being much much louder. Hungry, loud, random, spontaneous, weird, skilled, fiery and grinning at anything that doubts him, keep your ears and minds open and check the streets of the Chi, you’ll feel him sooner or later.

“I’m gonna rock your world. But I’ll start with your heart first!”

Substance, sub’ stas; noun. Essence; that of which things consists; the most important part; material of a certain kind

DAT BIZNESS, the name speaks for itself. Raised on the South Eastside of Chicago in the Germano Millgate apartments he has expressed an undying passion for his “hood”. Music has always “boiled” in his blood; he started playing the saxophone at the age of 11. After conquering the the intuitive stages of instrumentation, he began blessing the microphone at the age of 13, and not long after that he polished rhymes, delivery, and razor sharp punchlines and became a monster lyrically at 21, and now you have Dat Bizness.

ILL GORDON, best known for his rough delivery and clever metaphors, he has taken pride in lyrical prowess and always expressed creativity over gimmicks. Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, ILL was musically inclined since the age of 3 when he commenced to play the drums. Labeled as a late bloomer amongst his peers, ILL didn’t start to focus on rap until the age of 18. Out of the trenches, he became known for his fierce raps and keen punchlines.

In 2007, ILL GORDON and DAT BIZNESS rigorously worked on music together and couldn’t neglect the undeniable chemistry they shared. The more songs they completed together the more their chemistry became stronger and noticeable to anyone who heard their material. After so many features on each others projects the level on inevitability to make this an official hip hop duo was undeniable.

In 2008 they made the union official and became SUBSTANCE. They hit the ground running releasing their first mix tape “Raw Substance” Hosted by Dj Shaun T. During this time they developed buzz worthy notoriety through performances through out the Midwest at venues such as The Abbey (Chicago), B.B. Kings (Nashville,Tn), Adrianna’s (Chicago), African Festival of Arts(Chicago), Shadow Lounge (Pittsburgh, Pa) etc.They also received the award of best local hip hop group at the “Midwest Rappers Ball” at the Regal Theater. By 2010, they established a respectable following and then released the now critically acclaimed mixtape “Substance Muzik”. This mixtape received placements on influential blogsites such as Kevinnottingham.com, Chicagonow.com. They also completed three videos off of “Substance Muzik”, “All I Need” , “Cufflinks”, and “Fresh out the Oven” which all can be found on youtube.On July 23rd 2011, they released their “Substance Abuse” mixtape, which is the final installment of their “Substance Series” mixtapes. Its has received placements on influential sites such as Chicityhiphop.net, illisoulife.com, fakeshoredrive.com and Gowherehiphop.com. This mixtape has features and production from Add-2, Gemstones, Thaione Davis, All Purpose Beatz and Reg Vador. They have also completed their first three videos off of “Substance Abuse”, “Str8 Coasting”, “Bravo” and “Barz of Opera” which all can be found on youtube. During this time Substance continued to perform locally and regionally at venues such as “The Mayne Stage” (1st and only Hip Hop group to do so) (Chicago), “The Brass Rail” (Peoria, Illinois), “Cause Sound bar” (Minneapolis, MN), etc. Riding off the success of the “Substance Series” mixtapes, Substance developed a organic momentum that led into 2012. March 2012 Substance received a placement to perform at the Red Gorilla/SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, Invited to attend Rhymesayers “Soundset Festival”, and first performance at the ‘A3C Festival”! (Kevinnottigham Underground Express Stage) Substance also released their fourth mixtape “Contra Mixtape” on August 1st 2012. It has received over 3000 downloads within the first two months of release. They have also released two videos off of their “Contra Mixtape”, “Go In” directed by Tyfotos and “Streets Says So” feat Vic Spencer directed by Deka Derse. Coming into 2013, Substance plan on releasing their debut album “No Grey Area” produced by All Purpose Beatz as well as pursuing the first touring opportunity.

Substance is a breath of fresh air that promotes creativity and good lyrics but most importantly good music. “Upcoming Chicago duo Substance is creating an impressive buzz and making a name for themselves with their hardcore/gritty beats and candid bars. Known for their shrill delivery and striking live show, Substance is one of the latest artists hailing form the windy city that is taking it back to the basics, which will bring you just what their name says—–Substance!”

SOLKON is for the People. SOLKON is for the Children… SOLKON is dedicated to the streets; to our respective communities that raised us and in turn fuel our passion to build and uplift young and old souls alike. Whether a new mural is being unveiled, a free event is exhibiting local artists, or a lounge/pub around the way is spinning that music that YOU like, SOLKON is in your hood for the better..

Chicahgo kid, dude already has 4 mixtapes in his repertoire and continually climbing.  Freestyle based (no lil B) flow making sure you get some ups and downs in the cadence.  Don’t expect the expected.