ARTIST:Slaughterhouse
ALBUM:Slaughterhouse
SOUNDS LIKE: Punchline-heavy verses from the '90s x Non-commercial production from '09
FUN FACT: The four MCs initially came together on "Slaughterhouse"---a track included on Joe Budden's Halfway House. Nino Bless, who was also featured on the song, wasn't invited to join the group because other members felt he didn't pay enough dues.
WHY COMPLEX IS CO-SIGNING IT: There have been many hip-hop "supergroups" that looked great on paper, but never fully materialized on wax. In that sense, Slaughterhouse---consists of Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Crooked I, and Royce Da 5'9"---deserves praise just for putting out an actual album. In addition, more praise is due, since all four MCs deliver on the album as a unit. And let's be clear: Slaughterhouse isn't necessarily built for the current market. What fans can hear is exactly what you might expect---verses filled with vicious punchlines and sharp deliveries that are guaranteed to get heads nodding.
It begins with "Sound Off," where Royce assembles the clique and compares all four members to separate parts of Voltron: "Joell Ortiz is the body/the cannibal slash killer, kill you then eat your body." On "Lyrical Murderers" the collective brings out the good-ol' verbal gunplay, threatening to kill all rappers (lyrically!). While rap quotables continue to pour out like it's '94, the album takes on a lighter pace starting with the upbeat "Not Tonight," followed by the surprisingly addictive single "The One." The overall energy of the album is nicely exemplified on the Fat Man Scoop-assisted "Onslaught 2," where each MC shines. If the LP consisted of only battle rhymes then it could have been labeled as a certified mixtape or even a dope street album. But the album elevates itself towards the end with a set of introspective tracks. The group discusses its inner demons ("Pray"), love-hate relationship with hip-hop ("Cut You Loose"), and past tragedies ("Raindrops") all in a cohesive manner. With all four rhyme-spitters displaying top-of-the-notch bars, it makes one wonder about the competitive atmosphere which took place during the studio sessions.
Unfortunately, there are a few minor fall backs. All three skits on the album are unnecessary and "Salute," produced by Mr. Porter, features bland guitar riffs and organs accompanied by a dull hook from Pharoahe Monch. Still, Slaughterhouse's debut is truly an impressive effort. Now if only The Firm made something this solid...
KEY TRACKS (LISTEN):
"Onslaught 2"
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE ALBUM ON MP3 FOR $8.99
THE COMPLEX 7: SLAUGHTERHOUSE
Interview By Jaeki Cho
#1: WHAT'S THE WORST WAY YOU'VE BROKEN UP WITH SOMEONE?
Joe Budden: My baby's family and me. That breakup was pretty bad. It was hurting how we broke up.
#2: WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER ONE DEAL-BREAKER FOR A GIRLFRIEND?
Crooked I: Bad feet are a deal-breaker for me. I don't care if she's bad. I've turned down bitches that you've seen on TV because they had bad feet.
#3: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SNEAKER OF ALL TIME?
Royce Da 5'9": I'm not a sneakerhead. I'm not the type of dude who stands outside in line to wait for $300 Air Force 1s. I just don't like shoes that look like it's been worn a few times. It's like I can't wear a white tee twice. I just like to look crisp.
#4: WHAT'S THE MOST EMBARRASSING PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU'VE EVER WORN?
Royce Da 5'9": That's easy. Hammer pants!
#5: IF YOU HAD A WEEK HOLIDAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Crooked I: I'm with the down time, man. I'm big into politics so I'm probably watching MSNBC.
#6: WHAT HAS TO BE IN YOUR FRIDGE AT ALL TIMES?
Crooked I: Ramen noodles.
#7: WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Joell Ortiz: Yo, when this nigga walked in with the shirt [points at Joe Budden], I cried... laughing!
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT MORE "COMPLEX 7" INTERVIEWS!
