Slum Village is scheduled to perform at the Michigan Central Station concert in Detroit on Thursday, June 6, 2024. The event is a celebration concert for re-opening the train station that had been dormant since 1988. The Ford Motor Company purchased the abandoned structure that was completed in 2013 and started servicing rail passengers in 1914,  in 2018, and spent millions of dollars restoring it.  The same architects that designed it were responsible for New York City’s Grand Central Terminal which looks almost identical. Since its closing in 1988, it became a symbol of Detroit’s past industrial glory and a place of marvel for those fascinated with Detroit’s architecture. William Ford, chairman of Ford and great-grandson of founder Henry Ford told the New York Times that the decision to purchase the station was because, 

“Our industry is about to change radically, and that change ought to be invented here,” Mr. Ford said. “It clicked for me that was the perfect purpose for Michigan Central Station. We want Detroit to once again be a destination where the future is invented, and preserve its title as the Motor City for generations to come.”

Big Sean who performed at the the first celebration for the station in 2018 is on the lineup for Thursday night which includes Jack White, Diana Ross, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Illa Ja, Melissa Etheridge, Common, Theo Parrish, Fantasia, Jelly Roll, Sky Jetta, Kierra Sheard and more. Eminem and his manager Paul Rosenberg are the executive producers of the event. The rapper also filmed his video for “Beautiful” at the location in 2009.  Those interested can watch the outdoor stream exclusively on Peacock. Locals can watch via Local 4 on television on the Local 4+ app or at ClickOnDetroit.com and app.  Slum Village just released their 10th studio album F.U.N. 

Slum Village release F.U.N., their first album in almost a decade. T3 and Young RJ wave their SV flag hard on the album with guest appearances from The Dramatics, Larry June, Cordae, Robert Glasper, Abstract Orchestra, and more. The duo says that the starting point and inspiration for the album was collecting disco records. Their sonic destination becomes obvious on “To The Disco” which posts up with horns and rhythm descended from some of Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia dance music. Those vintage sounds also appear on “Keep Dreaming” where Young RJ admits to still having dreams about a spaceship after a sample evoking the Shaft In Africa soundtrack fades into the background. They perfected a rollerskating jam with “All Live” constructed of a Tom Browne trumpet opening and a groove reminiscent of “Climax” from their Fantastic Vol. 2 days.

The title track grabs some of Funkadelic’s fervor circa 1978 to make a statement about their proud Detroit origins. It has been almost three decades since J.Dilla’s group emerged and like another legendary Detroit group, The Temptations, Slum Village has survived the passing of members and different lineups to keep making music. F.U.N. reveals that T3 and Young RJ still have the spark that started the whole thing in the first place. They shine equally with a good group of collaborators and have added a new worthy edition to grown-up rap. 

Slum Village has a new release date for their album F.U.N. and has shared the tracklist and cover art. Their first album in almost a decade has guest appearances from Robert Glasper, Larry June, The Dramatics, and more. They are currently on their FUN Since 92 tour in Europe and when they return to the United States they will appear at the Gazebo Festival in May. They will also join Rakim and Talib Kweli for Panic In LA on May 15th. F.U.N. comes out on May 3rd via Ne’Astra Music/Virgin Music Group and can be pre-ordered now. 

                                              F.U.N. Tracklisting

1. “Welcome” feat Brittney Carter
2. “All Live” feat Abstract Orchestra
3. “All Live Pt 2” feat. Sango, Phat Kat, Daru Jones
4. “To The Disco” feat Abstract Orchestra
5. “Request” ft. Earlly Mac, Abstract Orchestra
6. “Yeah Yeah” ft Karriem Riggins
7. “Just Like You” ft. Larry June, The Dramatics
8. “F.U.N” 
9. “So Superb” ft Cordae, Earlly Mac
10. “Keep Dreaming” ft Karriem Riggins, Fat Ray
11. “Factor” ft. Eric Roberson, Elijah Fox
12. “Since 92” ft Robert Glasper

Slum Village is releasing their FUN album very soon and now they unveil “Factor” featuring Eric Roberson and Elijah Fox. “Factor” is a love proposal with a little bit of caution voiced by Young RJ outweighed by Roberson’s notes of longing. The group has never shied away from rapping about relationships and incorporating R&B into their sound. “Just Like You” was the first single from FUN and it was also about love but “Request” released in February put the focus back on their business. Young RJ and T3’s return is long welcomed because it was more than eight years ago when they released Yes!. They will return to Europe on April 4th for their FUN Since 92 Tour. The first show in Bologna, Italy begins a 28-date stint abroad. FUN! will hit retail on April 19th via Ne’Astra Music. Slum Village is on the roster alongside Sza and more for the Jack Harlow-presented Louisville, Kentucky-bound Gazebo Festival in May.