Kinga M. Spanier
Co-founder of the Detroit trio Slum Village, Baatin has passed away. Baatin (Titus Glover) was found dead on the 14000 block of Anglin Street in Detroit. Detroit Police Department spokesman John Roach said Saturday he did not know a cause of death.
Slum Village was founded by Baatin, T3, and the late J Dilla. The original lineup of the group released two albums, 1997's Fan-tas-tic (Vol. 1) and 2000's Fantastic (Vol. 2).
Rapper/producer J Dilla left the group and was replaced by Elzhi for the groups third release, Trinity (Past, Present, and Future). After the release of Trinity Baatin began to exhibit unusual behavior prompting him to be removed from the group. Baatin was later diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Slum Village recorded two more albums without Baatin--2004's Detroit Deli and 2005's self titled CD. Founding SV member J Dilla requested that Baatin be invited back to the group to record a reunion album. J Dilla passed away in 2006 from Lupus complications, while T3 and Elzhi stayed true to their word and invited Baatin back into the fold.
The group had been performing on the summer's biggest Hip-Hop festival Rock the Bells in preperation for the September 22nd release of their album Villa Manifesto. Just two short weeks ago I spoke to Slum Village at the New York stop on the Rock the Bells tour and Baatin could not contain his excitement about being back with the crew.
"I'm happy to be back," Baatin said. "I just want to apologize for anyone that I hurt, but I'm glad to be back--I'm trying to do better, I'm trying."
"Baatin will be missed," Slum Village's T3 said in a statement. "I'm glad we got a chance to work together before he passed. We lost another Slum soldier, a dear friend and a brother. He touched many lives."
Baatin is survived by his son, Michael Majesty Ellis; his daughter, Aura Grace Glover; his parents, Howard and Alberta Glover, his sister, Eleanor Glover, and two brothers, Richard Riggins and Wendell Scott, all of Detroit.
To assist the family of Baatin visit: http://rensoul.com/2009/08/baatindonations.php
Baatin was an underrated MC with one of the dopest voices in rap history. His style was unique and his flow was original. He will be missed by the Hip-Hop community. R.I.P Baatin.
Warning! This song contains explicit lyrics:
Sherron Shabazz is an Examiner from the National Edition. You can see Sherron's articles at: "http://www.Examiner.com/x-14684-HipHop-Music-Examiner"
Share
