Even though the group Slaughterhouse was formed three years ago and released their self-titled debut album in 2009, it seems that with their recent signing to Eminem’s Shady Records, the group consisting of Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, Crooked I, & Royce Da 5’9″ may finally get the shine they deserve. While this is the final project that Slaughterhouse is releasing on their former label E1, this may also be a primer for those who are not familiar with the group and look forward to there Shady debut.
1. Back On The Scene
Featuring Dres; Produced by M-Phazes
The EP begins out the way it’s suppose to; with a song that displays Slaughterhouse’s lyrical talent. When the song starts out you may think it may be a remake of Black Sheep’s “The Choice Is Yours (Revisited)”. But that’s that’s just serves as an the intro and a reference for the hook (Dres from Black Sheep makes an appearance on the hook). When the M-Phazes produced beat drops, it ‘s pretty ideal from Slaughterhouse. While the hook was kinda lazy, the verses more than make up for that. Example:
“It’s a rap for your team/When I get in that ring I put rap in the feign/I don’t know whats happening-ing/Either I’m getting better or y’all falling off like the sag in my jeans” – Joell Ortiz
2. Sun Doobie
Produced by Mr. Porter
It’s seems fitting that Mr. Porter would have a song with Slaughterhouse (Okay, he’s been working with Royce for a minute now but still). For a group with four member who usually like long verses, I was surprised that this song was barely three minutes long. But over a piano laced track, the point is still made; these guys can rap. Sidenote: I gotta point out Crooked I’s Mike Tyson line, “I’m sick as Tyson in the ring at the Colosseum with gonorrhea”. If you watched the Tyson documentary, you’ll understand why that’s a nice rhyme.
3. Everybody Down
Produced by Black Milk
Seeing Black Milk’s name as the producer on a song that has Slaughterhouse rapping on it had me immediately thinking that this track was a slam dunk. The crazy thing is that the track ended up sounding awkward. The beat Black Milk provides is good. The lyrics by Joell, Royce, Budden, & Crooked are good. But the combined effort left something to be desired. On more listens, that track may have been better if Black Milk would have just used it himself (It would fit perfect on Milk’s Album Of The Year).
4. Put Some Money On It (remix)
Featuring The LOX; Produced by Sean C & LV
This is actually a remix of Joell Ortiz’s “Put Some Money On It” featuring The LOX (off his Amazon leaked Free Agent). The verses by the original participants are still the same, but it’s a good thing to have both groups on the same track.
5. Fight Club (remix)
Produced by Frequency
The original “Fight KClub” was eventually released as a bonus track on the group’s debut album. Since I never was really crazy about the original, I prefer this version because it’s matches the feel of song title (Frequency produced both versions). Some of the lyrics show a little age (“You mad at Tahiry cause you ass ain’t famous…”).
6. Move On (remix)
Featuring Iffy; Produced by Frequency
Just like the previous song, this track is also remixed by Frequency. Now I feel the original “Move On” may be Slaughterhouse’s best song. But that’s not to say this remix doesn’t give it a whole new song; it does (Especially with the new hook). The inclusion of this song on the EP is great for first time listeners as it give them the back story of the group’s members.
Bottom Line:
Even though the Slaughterhouse EP technically only has three original songs and three remixes, it’s still a starter kit for those unfamiliar with Slaughterhouse and also a great listen to those fans that like lyrical Hip-Hop. The EP is on par with the first Slaughterhouse album and will keep fans of that release fed until the group makes the debut on Em’s label. An album that will hopefully be released later this year.
