Detroit-based hip-hop producer Young RJ is best known for his close association with Slum Village. He provided beats for them in their early iterations and joined as a full-time member in the mid-2010s.

His dad owned a studio with John Salley called Hoop Sound Studios, through which Young RJ would cross paths with a variety of artists, such as Timbaland (in the early stages of his career) and Aaliyah. He would head over to the studio after school, and began playing around with the gear, learning how to use drum machines and other equipment -- under the tutelage of J Dilla, no less. He played some early recordings to Kurupt, who liked them enough to use them on his upcoming projects. It was also through the studio that Young RJ met Baatin and T3, forever folding him into the orbit of Slum Village, who would regularly use his beats. He became an official part of Slum Village in 2012, mostly recording and performing as a duo alongside T3. Together they continued releasing albums, including 2013's Evolution, 2015's Yes!, and 2022's World Tour. ~ Liam Martin, Rovi