T3: First off, it’s too diverse of a sound, everybody is all over the map. And there isn’t a unified sound. Like East Coast rap, we all know what that is. And West Coast rap, we all know what that is. But in the Midwest we have Kanye West, Twista, Nelly; all very different sounds coming out of the Midwest. Even in Detroit it’s Slum Village and Eminem; totally different styles. We need to break it up; let Chicago have its own style, let Detroit have its own style.

Claire: If you could change one thing about hip-hop right now what would it be?

T3: For the most part it’s OK, but if I had to choose something, I would say, change what the listeners are listening to. Right now hip-hop is just very simple. I’m not saying it’s not good, it’s just a little too simple. There’s not enough music that is making people think. I would want to see more complex hip-hop that does make people think.

Claire: What advice would you give to young artists that are interested in getting into the hip-hop scene?

T3: First off, make sure this it what you want to be doing. Second, it takes a lot of dedication; it really isn’t what you think and you need to be prepared for that. Get on MySpace. MySpace is a great way for up-and-coming artists to share their music and utilize the internet. Get your music out, do as many local shows as you can, and this will build a name for you. No matter how great you think you are, no one is gonna come knockin’ on your door. You need to make it happen for yourself.

Claire: What do you think young people need to do to lead productive lives?

T3: Have a goal, set it and work hard to accomplish it. Ever since I was young, I had a goal of being in the music business. And knowing that I had a goal and not letting anything get in the way kept me out of a lot of trouble at an early age. Music and entertainment aren’t for everyone, so having multiple goals doesn’t hurt.

Claire: In your single, “Selfish,” there is a Kim from Minneapolis; does she really exist?

T3: No, those women in that song are real women we have met, but with different names and in different places.

Claire: How is your approach on your next project that comes out in September different from your past work?

T3: Every project we do is different, but this next album is dedicated to our old stuff; it’s just good solid music and we are really excited about it. It’s going back for our original fans. Anybody that liked Slum Village at any time will like this album.

Claire: You have worked with many big producers in the industry. Other than [original member] Jay Dee, who was your favorite and if you could work with anybody that you haven’t already worked with who would it be?

T3: Kanye was cool; DeAngelo back in the day was cool. I would say it would be the music greats, like James Brown. That’s where my head’s at, the music greats.

Claire: How would Slum Village like to be remembered in the hip-hop community?

T3: By doing our own thing, not trying to fit in. Trying to be creative. And to show that we do it because we like doing what we do. And try to make a couple of dollars in the end. ||

Slum Village performs on Fri., Aug. 19. T3 will be judging the production battle at 6:10 pm and DJ Dez of Slum Village will be on the Street Credibility panel at 4:00 pm.

Schedule of Events

The 4th Annual Twin Cities Celebration of Hip-Hop

MAINSTAGE FRIDAY
 
4:45 – Upper Midwest MC Battle Preliminaries
5:20 – Akira Johnson – St. Paul, MN
5:40 – Leroy Smokes – Twin Cities, MN
6:10 – Upper Midwest Production Battle
7:05 – Network Crew – Chicago, IL
7:30 – Upper Midwest Emcee Battle Finals
8:05 – Blue Collar Boys – Bowling Green, KY
8:30 – Moochy C – Twin Cities, MN
8:45 – Big Quarters – Twin Cities, MN
9:05 – Guardians of Balance – St. Paul, MN
9:25 – Interlock All Stars – Twin Cities, MN
9:50 – Slum Village – Detroit, MI
 
OUTDOORS FRIDAY
NO OUTDOOR EVENTS
 
MAINSTAGE SATURDAY
 
5:25 – Style Network Crew – Kansas City, MO
5:50 – Upper Midwest Beatbox Battle
6:25 – Soulistic – Minneapolis, MN
6:30 – Upper Midwest BBoy Battle Finals
7:40 – 3rd Party – Brooklyn, NY
8:00 – Purest Form – St. Paul, MN
8:20 – Trama Sutra – Queens, NY
8:40 – Fiction – Twin Cities, MN
9:10 – Knowledge MC – Twin Cities, MN
9:35 – Doomtree – Twin Cities, MN
10:05 – I Self Devine – Minneapolis, MN
 
OUTDOORS SATURDAY
 
4:00 – Free and Open Market Begins
4:10 – Soulistic
4:30 – Upper Midwest Bboy Battle Preliminaries
 
MAINSTAGE SUNDAY
 
5:30 – Teens Rock the Mic – Twin Cities, MN
5:40 – Indigo – St. Paul, MN
6:00 – Upper Midwest DJ Battle
7:00 – Upper Midwest Dance Battle Finals
7:40 – Melody Beats – Twin Cities, MN
7:55 – HEAT – Twin Cities, MN
8:10 – Cleazy – Bowling Green, KY
8:30 – AD – Minneapolis, MN
8:50 – Maria Isa – Puerto Rico/St. Paul
9:15 – Illuminous 3 – Minneapolis, MN
9:35 – The C.O.R.E. – Minneapolis, MN
10:00 – Slick Rick – New York, NY
 
OUTDOORS SUNDAY
 
4:00 – Free and Open Market Begins
4:30 – Upper Midwest Dance Battle Preliminaries
7:00 – Free and Open Market Ends 

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