Slaughterhouse (album)
Slaughterhouse is the self-titled debut album of hip hop supergroup, Slaughterhouse, consisting of members Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, Royce Da 5'9" and Crooked I. The album was released on August 11, 2009 on E1 Music. Their debut album sold 18,600 copies in its first week.[1] As of December 2009 the album has sold 44,000+ copies.
Background
In June 2009, E1 Entertainment announced the album. The group came together when Joe Budden was working on a song for his Halfway House album and enlisted the services of Crooked I, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9" for a song called "Slaughterhouse." Inspired by the vibe of track and the immediate chemistry of the four rappers, a plan was immediately made to form the supergroup.
Delay
The highly anticipated album has been pushed back from July 7 to August 11. Royce da 5'9" said that the group wanted more time to put into set up and marketing with its label E1 Music. On his interview with AllHipHop.com on June 12, Royce told:
| “ |
Even though this [group] is a new way of doing business, we still gotta stick to the old school script when it comes time to market this, to have the proper time to set up a record. We’re not idiots. We understand the concept of labels throwing something against the wall and seeing if it sticks. That’s not what we are in business to do. We’re still in the business of selling records, because we feel we have a great product to present to the public. |
” |
[2]
The Detroit rapper also stated that the lyrics and the music came together in a way that made them want to generate maximum interest in the self-titled debut.
Royce continued:
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All the push back has to do [with] is the set up. It’s great music. My biggest concern with making the project is us picking the best beats possible. Rhyming is there. The best music possible is what I was always concerned with, that’s why a lot of songs came out so good. |
” |
Joell Ortiz, a Brooklyn-bred artist, said that the process of creating the album was arduous, yet fun. He said:
| “ |
It was definitely the busiest session I had ever been in my life. To come out with the product that we do have, was ridiculous. |
” |
The group may add another song to round off the album, but noted that it was close to completion and the delay had nothing to do with the music. The album was reportedly recorded over a six day period in early June.
[3] On June 16 via SOHH, Joe Budden apologized to their fans. Royce added:
| “ |
You still gon' get the music. It's not like you not gonna hear no Slaughterhouse music until then. We'll still have the single setting up. |
” |
Crooked I assured their fans that there will be no more push backs. He stated:
| “ |
Don't worry because they got the push back king on the team. It's still coming out. They might be worried. It's coming out. It's official. It's in concrete. August 11th. Pick up two. This is what we need at this time period in hip-hop. This project is what we need. |
” |
Music
The album features production from Focus,[4] The Alchemist, DJ Khalil, StreetRunner, D12's Mr. Porter and more.[5] On June 18, 2009, a street single was released via Joe Budden's twitter. The track is "Woodstock (Hood Hop)" which is produced by Nottz and features M.O.P. on the hook.[6][7] The first official single from the album was "The One". The video, shot and directed by Rik Cordero, premiered on July 12 online and on MTV2 Sucka Free & MTV Jams (hourly). Royce confirmed that Pharoahe Monch & Novel are set to appear on the album.
The album cover features each member wearing a sports team's logo from another member's hometown. Joell Ortiz's hat is supposed to be a Detroit Tigers hat but is blacked out.
Reception
Reviews of the album were favorable. It has a score of 69 out of an overall score of 100 (calculated by only 9 reviews) on Metacritic stated that the album is overall a "Generally favorable reviews." [16]
Allmusic.com gave it a four out of five stars stating that:
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Well-chosen guests like Fatman Scoop and Pharoahe Monch increase the thug appeal while earthshaking productions from the Alchemist, DJ Khalil, and Mr. Porter seal the deal. |
” |
RapReviews gave it an 9 out of 10 stars. they stated:
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Whether you want to doubt it or not, there's just too much right about the self-titled Slaughterhouse for this album to be wrong. |
” |
XXL gave it XL out of XXL stating:
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Evidenced by the chemistry on their first effort, Slaughterhouse is no reality-show-created supergroup. And while each member may be a little movement by himself, without a doubt, they’re a force when they’re together. |
” |
HipHopDX gave it a four out of five stars stated :
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Considering that most groups comprised of previously-established artists never amount to anything, the fact that Slaughterhouse is even out on shelves is a triumph. But rather than rest on their laurels and ride on the success (however limited) of their solo careers to get them through the album, it's evident that Royce, Budden, Crooked and Joell rhyme like they've still got something to prove. Their formula hasn't been perfected yet; but the talent, and (most importantly) the will are there, which is a promising indicator of things to come. |
” |
About.com has said that:
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After a thorough journey through the minds of these four MCs, you'll be left with the realization that Slaughterhouse embodies mind-bending refractions from an era when hip-hop's top MCs experimented with a whole arsenal of concepts. |
” |
| “ |
It's refreshing to see four individually acclaimed wordsmiths working together for the sheer purpose of rewiring hip-hop's current disposition while staying true to the game's fundamentals. With consistency and more variety, Slaughterhouse could become your new favorite group. |
” |
Track listing
Tracks by iTunes,[17] and writers by Allmusic.com.[18]
| Writer(s) |
Producer(s) |
| 1. |
"Sound Off" |
Dominick Wickliffe, Joell Ortiz, Joseph Budden, Nicholas Warwar, Ryan Montgomery |
StreetRunner |
5:51 |
| 2. |
"Lyrical Murderers" (featuring K-Young) |
Bernard Edwards, Jr, Budden, Montgomery, Ortiz, Wickliffe |
Focus... |
4:04 |
| 3. |
"Microphone" |
Alan Daniel Maman, Budden, Montgomery, Ortiz, Wickliffe |
The Alchemist |
4:42 |
| 4. |
"Not Tonight" |
Budden, Montgomery, Ortiz, Warwar, Wickliffe |
StreetRunner |
3:39 |
| 5. |
"The One" (featuring The New Royales) |
Budden, Chin Injeti, Erik Alcock, Khalil Abdul-Rahman, Líz Rodrigues, Montgomery, Ortiz, Wickliffe |
DJ Khalil |
3:37 |
| 6. |
"In the Mind of Madness" (Skit) |
|
|
1:23 |
| 7. |
"Cuckoo" |
Budden, Montgomery, Ortiz, Rahman, Wickliffe |
DJ Khalil |
4:30 |
| 8. |
"The Phone Call" (Skit) |
|
|
0:58 |
| 9. |
"Onslaught 2" (featuring Fatman Scoop) |
Budden, Emile Haynie, Isaac Freeman III, Montgomery, Ortiz, Wickliffe |
Emile |
4:27 |
| 10. |
"The Phone Call 2" (Skit) |
|
|
0:56 |
| 11. |
"Salute" (featuring Pharoahe Monch) |
Budden, Denaun Porter, Montgomery, Ortiz, Troy Donald Jamerson, Wickliffe |
Mr. Porter |
4:31 |
| 12. |
"Pray (It's a Shame)" |
Aiko Rohd, Budden, Montgomery, Ortiz, Wickliffe |
RealSon |
3:53 |
| 13. |
"Cut You Loose" |
Budden, Montgomery, Ortiz, Porter, Wickliffe |
Mr. Porter |
4:43 |
| 14. |
"Rain Drops" (featuring Novel) |
Alonzo Mario Stevenson, Budden, Horrus Turner, Montgomery, Ortiz, Robert Brookins, Travis Marcus Haynes, Wickliffe |
Filthy Rockwell |
5:00 |
| 15. |
"Killaz" (featuring Melanie Rutherford) |
Budden, Haynie, Melanie Rutherford, Montgomery, Ortiz, Wickliffe |
Emile |
4:09 |
- Sample credits
Charts
References
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| Studio releases |
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| Singles |
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| Crooked I albums |
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| Joe Budden albums |
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| Joell Ortiz albums |
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| Royce da 5'9" albums |
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| Related articles |
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