Young RJ

Young RJ, a Detroit-based hip-hop producer, earned his primary recognition through an enduring link to Slum Village. He supplied beats during the group’s initial phases before entering as a full-time member in the mid-2010s.

Ownership of Hoop Sound Studios by his father and John Salley placed Young RJ in contact with an array of artists, including Timbaland at the outset of his career and Aaliyah. After-school visits to the facility led him to tinker with the available tools, acquiring skills on drum machines and additional equipment under direct guidance from J Dilla. Early recordings played for Kurupt proved compelling enough for use on the rapper’s forthcoming projects. The studio likewise introduced him to Baatin and T3, securing his lasting place within Slum Village’s sphere, where his productions appeared on a consistent basis. Formal entry into the group occurred in 2012, with the bulk of recording and performance work conducted as a duo alongside T3. Their joint output included the albums Evolution in 2013, Yes! in 2015, and World Tour in 2022.