Baatin, a Detroit rapper and member of Detroit rap collective Slum Village, has died according to reports.

News of Baatin's death spread virally around noon Saturday. A cause of death is not known.

Baatin, born Titus Glover in 1974, said he started rapping while a student at Pershing High School on Detroit's east side.

"I was going by Eazy-T and Scandalous-T back then; it was me, Al Nuke and a few others," Baatin told the Metro Times in a 2007 interview.

Baatin, Jay Dee -- who died in 2006 of cardiac arrest -- and T3 formed a group and called themselves Ssenepod. In 1991, they changed their name to Slum Village. Baatin also changed his stage name.

"When I got spiritual, I wanted a different name," he said. "(Baatin) is Islamic for 'hidden.' "

Slum Village underwent several lineup changes over the years. The original trio released "Fantastic, Vol. 1" and "Fantastic, Vol. 2." Jay Dee (also known as J Dilla) left the group and was replaced with Elzhi. That trio scored one of their bigger mainstream hits, "Tainted," which also featured Detroit native singer Dwele.

Baatin told the Metro Times that he struggled with several emotional problems. He left a European tour in 2003 to rest, but later asked to be released from the group.

Slum Village, now a duo, continued to perform. During a show at the State Theatre in Detroit, Baatin demanded to be on stage. He was arrested and jailed; after that, he was evicted from his apartment that he says was being paid for by his record label.

In 2004, Baatin was diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression; he later developed a crack habit, living homeless for more than a year.

A European promoter offered Baatin a chance to revitalize his career with some shows overseas. Baatin accepted, cleaned up and began work on a solo album.

After Dilla, he was my favorite memeber of the group which originated in the Conant Gardens neighborhood on Detroit's east side. He used to spit rhymes in Arabic and had the most eclectic style lyrically of all the SV members. I am heartbroken again. This summer has been murder when it comes to some of my favorite artists passing away. I cant wait for my vacation.

WOW! Another Slum Village member bites the dust after Dilla, damn.

Man this is crazy. I know there was a Slum Village reunion show with Baatin
scheduled last week in Charlotte and a couple of other rappers. I know
Pete Rock was the guest DJ. I was hoping this reunion would have been
a bit of a revival for Slum. Baatin had been dealing with a lot of personal
issues. Very sad.

Never really listened to SV dat much, But Gawd knows l love dat "Selfish" song with John legend (sampling Aretha Franklin "Call Me"), I bought it on iTMS a few months ago... Quality song. Now I think l gonna get more music from them loox like its a talented group... RIP tho, to the bro Baatin

FrenchGuy said:

I know the Fantastic Vol. was pretty good and the two that i have
Trinity and Detroit Deli. One of my favorite songs by them is the
Collabo they did with Common on his Like Water for Chocolate album
Thelonius. Selfish is on the Detroit Deli cd which is underrated
just like the Trinity album. RJ Rice of RJ's latest arrival fame
serves as the executive producer and makes a brief appearance on
Trinity.

RIP

He was scheduled to perform with Slum Village in my city tomorrow

my SV song is "Climax"
RIP Baatin.

http://www.youtube.com/wa...gV3n7sd34w

Just awful here for the Detroit music community. R.I.P.

Cinnie said:

Aww, man.

dreamfactory313 said:

Wow, I had no idea he was battling mental illness. And a diagnosis of all *three*? I'm sure it was very hard for him.

Rest in Peace

dreamfactory313 said:

RIP Bro!

?uestlove's part Eulogy/Apology Letter/Manifesto on his favorite group Slum Village....a decade after the fact.

http://www.okayplayer.com...908028559/

Titus (Baatin) Glover, the Detroit rapper who cofounded the much-acclaimed Slum Village, did not appear to die from foul play, authorities said today.

The Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office said it found no evidence of trauma on Glover’s body and that examiners are awaiting the results of toxicology tests to shed more light on his death. The tests could take seven weeks to complete.

The Detroit Police Department said it isn’t treating the death as a homicide, unless the medical examiner provides information to the contrary. Police provided no additional details about the
circumstances of his death.

http://www.freep.com/arti...police-say