Lupe Fiasco to Narrate Animated Film Tribute to Slum Village Rapper

The sudden death of Slum Village founding member Baatin -- full name Titus Glover -- sent the hip-hop community reeling in early August. The 35-year-old Detroit-based MC had recently reconnected with his former group and completed work on their album 'Villa Manifesto,' which was released in September. Miami-based producer Jack Splash will now honor the late rapper with a new record and animated film starring Lupe Fiasco.

Splash, who worked on Alicia Keys' chart-topping third studio album 'As I Am,' has dedicated the track, 'Missing U,' from his upcoming mixtape 'Heir to the Throne Vol. 1' to Baatin. Splash considers Baatin was not only his mentor, but also a close friend who stood by him during troubled times. "When I lost my hope and I could not do it/It was you, Baatin, that got me through it/And you told me if I fight for love they gon' fight this/Teardrops on the paper as I write this," Splash raps on the track.

In addition to the tribute song, Splash announced plans to release an animated film that chronicles the story of a character inspired by Baatin. Few details have been revealed about the project but Splash confirmed that Chi-town rapper Lupe Fiasco will step in to narrate the voice of Baatin's character. "You never knew I was making a movie for you," he says on the heartfelt track. "When they thought you were crazy I still adored you/It ain't over, you ain't done yet/You the only real superhero that I ever met/So I'm getting a tattoo to remind me daily/That if love's insane they can call me crazy."

Splash's full-length studio debut. 'Technology & Love Will Save Us,' is slated for an early 2010 release via Jive Records.