Baatin, founding member of Slum Village has passed away.  The Detroit native born Titus Glover was reportedly found dead on the 14000 block of Anglin Street in Detroit. Detroit PD have not yet listed a cause of death.  Baatin of course becomes the second deceased member of hip hop’s most underrated group, following the legendary J Dilla’s death in 2006.  T3 currently is the lone surviving founding member.

The trio released two albums, 1997′s Fan-tas-tic (Vol. 1) and 2000′s Fantastic (Vol. 2).  J Dilla would then leave the group and be replaced by Elzhi for the groups third release, Trinity (Past, Present, and Future). Following the group’s third release, Baatin’s friends and group members became concerned about his mental health.  He would later leave the group after being diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Under the advice of Dilla, Slum Village began recording a reunion album but when he died the project was delayed until recently.  Baatin had rejeoined the group and had been performing on the Rock the Bells Summer tour in preperation for the September 22nd release of their long awaited reunion album, Villa Manifesto.

Sherron Shabazz of the National Examiner recently spoke with Baatin about being back with the group.

“I’m happy to be back,” Baatin said. “I just want to apologize for anyone that I hurt, but I’m glad to be back–I’m trying to do better, I’m trying.”

Slum Village’s T3 released a statement yesterday.

“Baatin will be missed.  I’m glad we got a chance to work together before he passed. We lost another Slum soldier, a dear friend and a brother. He touched many lives.”