As a forever present unofficial-turned-official member of 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.
On BLAQ ROYALT, Young RJ shows the same musical versatility that made him such a reliable producer for the likes of Slum Village and 50 Cent — and a mic presence that’s just as potent. RJ’s solo career has been a long time coming.
After Slum’s last world tour, RJ returned to his Detroit studio and began preparing his solo-debut. Music fans have depended on Young RJ’s ear, and with BLAQ ROYALT he delivers; as always. “Creating my first solo project gives me a different sense of freedom and 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. BLAQ ROYALT is self-produced and includes collaborations with BJ The Chicago Kid, De La Soul, and as “Wait” suggests, Pete Rock and Boldy James and will be released this summer.
“Wait” finds the artists’ delivering three verses from different perspectives. RJ waxes poetically about trying to make it in life, but not exchanging your soul for it, Pete salutes the strength of his family for helping him survive the music business for two decades, and Boldy James narrates his struggle on how hip hop kept him from becoming another statistic on the streets of Detroit.
