Detroit Point -- by Crystina D

Image from detroithiphop.net

   This January I experienced what I have named my Detroit Point. I wanted to use the word phase instead but I don’t feel like this is correct seeing that I haven’t moved past listening to any of the music I’ve found during that time and I don’t think I will.
   For about two weeks, I worked at a military hospital, which required me to wake up at 5:00AM. Bitterly cold and usually snowing or raining (or both), it took everything in me to pull it together and prepare myself to sit at a desk and do nothing for the next eight hours. I found two pieces of comfort during those mornings, Slum Village’s “Go Ladies” and J Dilla’s “Won’t Do”.
   For those who are unfamiliar with Slum Village, they are a hip-hop group from Detroit consisting of original members Baatin, J Dilla and T3. Musically, the production is usually sample heavy and their rapping style varied from each emcee whose individual technique was easy to distinguish from the others. Their music has a grimy feel to it without being jarring and playfulness without being corny. Even the newer releases from the group with contributions former member eLZhi maintained a certain vibe and only added to the musical legacy of Slum Village. I had been a casual fan of Slum Village since 7th grade and looking back, J Dilla has been ubiquitous in my music listening since I was about 8 years old but this winter when I really started digging, I found gems.
   So I’m out of the house before 6 and I set the music to “Go Ladies”, smooth enough to slowly wake me all the way up but also lively enough to help me muster up some enthusiasm. I would make my way across town bouncing to the handclaps and the repeating “go ladies” course slowly but surely ready to tackle the tedium ahead of me. After replaying “Go Ladies” about 10 times, I switched to “Won’t Do”. With the Isley Brother sampled beat banging into my head and the boastful lyrics keeping me alert as I do double takes to confirm what Dilla just rapped, I reach my destination; I was ready for work.
   Sometimes it’s the simple things that get us through the days. What songs have ever given you that extra push? Sharing is caring!

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