Slaughterhouse previews "Who's The Illest" track [VIDEO]

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

When Slaughterhouse signed with Shady Records, Eminem told them to continue doing what they do. Usually, when independent artists get signed by a major label, they are forced to change. But, Eminem was never forced to change and he does not force his artists to change.

Slaughterhouse has been working on their Shady Records debut, second overall, since signing with the label. The group, which consists of Joe Budden, Royce da 5'9, Joell Ortiz, and Crooked I, recently completed "Who's The Illest."

Currently, Slaughterhouse is in Atlanta, where they previewed the song.

Watch the preview of "Who's The Illest" by Slaughterhouse below:

Read more...

Redman and Joell Ortiz discuss First Performances [VIDEO]

Read more...

Slaughterhouse talks chemistry with Eminem

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Recently, MTV News spoke with Slaughterhouse, asking them what life is like on Shady Records. Easily, Eminem is one of the most creative rappers in the game. Working for him seems like fun on the outside looking in.

According to the members of Slaughterhouse, Eminem takes a back seat and allows them to work. The four men said Eminem told them to record their new album the same way they recorded their last one. They even said Eminem acts more like a fan when he comes in.

Royce da 5'9, Eminem's longtime collaborator, said he told them they do not need him on the track to make a hit, as they already gained acclaim on their own. Joe Budden said it is easy to forget Eminem is one of the dopest rappers in the game when he is in the studio. While the recording process is in full swing for the group, there is no set release date for the Slaughterhouse album.

Read more...

Novel and Joell Ortiz - "Body Down, Part 2"

Joell Ortiz teams up with Novel for a second part of his original single, "Body Down." Ortiz changes it up on this new record.

Listen to "Body Down, Part 2" by Novel and Joell Ortiz below:

Read more...

Joell Ortiz talks "Watch the Throne" and Slaughterhouse album

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Many of Joell Ortiz' Twitter followers think he dissed the new album from Jay-Z and Kanye West, Watch the Throne. On his tweet, Ortiz called people out for being followers and also taunted the "throne." For the obvious reasons, Twitter followers though Joell Ortiz had taken shots at the throne.

Earlier today, Joell Ortiz came forward to end any rumors of him calling out The Throne. Joell Ortiz said it may not have been him, who made those comments. The reason Ortiz said it might not have been him was because his phone was dead when the tweet was made.

When he was asked about Watch the Throne, Joell Ortiz said he had heard it. Despite hearing the album, Ortiz said he was not able to listen to the album the way he wanted. Being a hip hopper, himself, Joell Ortiz takes all of the music very seriously. After hearing three songs off the album, he said the album was "OK" and a cool album.

Quickly, the conversation shifted to the Slaughterhouse debut album, which will be released on Eminem's label, Shady Records. Joell Ortiz said the recording of the album has been epic, so far. The Bronx rapper went on to say the album is going to be incredible and he is so excited to see the final result of the album.

Read more...

Joell Ortiz - "Love Story"

Earlier this month, Joell Ortiz said he was looking for love and his Slaughterhouse group mates vowed to help him. Now, Joell Ortiz has his own love story.

Joell Ortiz recently released his new single, "Love Story."

Listen to "Love Story" by Joell Ortiz below:

Read more...

Joell Ortiz - "Coolin'"

The Slaughterhouse rapper, Joell Ortiz is back with a new song. This time around, however, he goes solo on his fans. Outside of Slaughterhouse, Ortiz wants to continue releasing new music.

His latest song is called "Coolin'."

Listen to "Coolin'" by Joell Ortiz below:

Read more...

Crooked I talks future of West Coast hip hop

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Even though he is a part of Slaughterhouse, Crooked I is still very much a part of the West Coast hip hop scene. Much like the other veterans, he is looking at the future of the West Coast. Not many successful rappers have come from the West, outside of Game. He and Snoop Dogg are the only consistent rappers out West.

Crooked I's career was supposed to have taken off years ago, but it never happened. First, he was recruited by Suge Knight to help revive his Death Row label. After leaving Death Row, Crooked I linked up with Irv Gotti for the launch of Murder Inc. West. Much like his venture with Death Row, this did not work out, either.

Returning to the mixtape scene, Crooked I became involved with rappers Royce da 5'9, Joe Budden, and Joell Ortiz and they became Slaughterhouse. Soon, Eminem began working with them and promised to sign the four men to his Shady Records label. Now, with his career finally on the right track, Crooked I can look towards the future of his coast.

Crooked I likes the music from Odd Future and he thinks they have a chance at redefining the game. He has been to a few of their performances and he loves the way they rock a crowd. Crooked I believes Alternative acts such as Odd Future, Pav Div, Kendrick Lamar, Dom Kennedy, Blu, and Horseshoe Gang will help bring the West Coast back to prominence.

Read more...

Crooked I happy Benzino ended feud with Slaughterhouse

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

It came as a surprise to many when Eminem signed Slaughterhouse to his Shady Records. The group consists of Royce da 5'9, Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, and Crooked I. Eminem had a longstanding feud with Royce, Joell Ortiz had been signed to Aftermath, but left after he said his album was mishandled by Dr. Dre, and Crooked I was an associate of Murder Inc.

Benzino has been very vocal of Eminem for nearly ten years. He has found various reasons to continue attacking Eminem. When he learned of Slaughterhouse signing with Shady, Benzino immediately blasted them. But, after listening to their music, Benzino changed his tone and gave them credit. He also extended an olive branch to Eminem and the group.

Crooked I had not heard anything about this until SOHH.com informed him about the statement. While he did not say he accepted the truce, Crooked I said he was glad Benzino has finally moved on with his life. Crooked I did say he is the type of person who likes to work out differences, however, and he would love to meet up with Benzino and officially end their feud.

Read more...

Joell Ortiz discusses Solo Career, Slaughterhouse, and Shady Records

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

While Joell Ortiz has signed to Shady Records as a part of the supergroup, Slaughterhouse, he is still a solo free agent. For years, Joell Ortiz has been an independent artist. At one point, he was signed to Aftermath Entertainment, but he left because he was a backburner artist.

Because of his experience with Aftermath, Joell Ortiz was weary about signing to a major label. While the Dr. Dre experience did not work out for Ortiz, his experience with Dre protege, Eminem, has changed his mind. Currently, Joell Ortiz is looking for a label to sign to.

So far, Eminem has done good by Slaughterhouse and if he continues, Joell Ortiz may consider signing a solo deal. He likes the fact that Eminem is not interfering with Slaughterhouse as they record their new album. In 2009, they released their debut album through E1 and maintained full creative control. Eminem is allowing them to record just as free on their major label debut.

When signing to a label, Joell Ortiz wants to pick a label who truly believes in him. Eminem gives him a feeling of security and this may lead to Ortiz making a deal with Shady Records.

Read more...

Royce Da 5'9 and Joell Ortiz discuss Slaughterhouse

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

With Slaughterhouse finally being signed to a record deal, fans are excited. Despite the super-team finally being created, some people fear of them coming out too soft. Many times, super-pairings, do not turn out as expected.

Slaughterhouse is only the latest in attempts of many rappers to come together. In 1997, The Firm, which consisted of Nas, AZ, Foxy Brown, and Cormega, released their debut album. As if the teaming was not major enough, The Firm's album was produced by Dr. Dre and released through Aftermath Entertainment.

The Firm's album flopped, only going platinum, when some expected the record to outsell Thriller. But, with the new Slaughterhouse group, no one is expecting major record sales. Instead, fans are expecting a lyrical warpath with Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5'9, Joe Budden, and Crooked I. For all of those beginning to have doubts, Royce Da 5'9 and Joell Ortiz recently discussed the group's next release. The two said their music will bring about the return of lyricism to hip hop and will help cement Shady Records as a true hip hop label.

Shady Records has been struggling outside of Eminem for the past few years, but Slaughterhouse promises to provide more hits for the label.

Read more...

Slaughterhouse EP track listing Revealed

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Finally signed to Shady Records, Slaughterhouse is ready to give the fans what they want. The only issue the group has is that they have joined a crowded label. Eminem told the crew to begin working on their album.

While the members of Slaughterhouse would love to put together an album, it could take months before the promotion could begin. Not wanting to make fans wait, the crew is releasing an EP. The track listing for the EP has already been released.

Slaughterhouse will be featuring Dres and The L.O.X. on their EP.

Track Listing

1. "Back on the Scene" featuring Dres
2. "Sun Doobie"
3. "Everybody Down"
4. "Put Some Money on It (remix)" featuring The L.O.X.
5. "Fight Club (remix)"
6. "Move On (remix)" featuring Iffy

Read more...

Eminem expands the Shady Records roster

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

For over a year, there have been rumors of Slaughterhouse signing with Eminem's Shady Records. They appeared with Eminem in the video of Drake's "Forever." Eminem often speaks of the group when he discusses future projects.

Joe Budden spoke of the irony of signing with 50 Cent's label back in 2009. Despite all of the rumors, nothing panned out. Each time the group said they were signed to Shady, Eminem denied it. But, this time, he did not deny the rumors as they are on Shady Records.

Outside of adding Slaughterhouse to Shady Records, Eminem also added independent Alabama sensation, Yelawolf. Some say Yelawolf is the best white rapper since Eminem. His lyrics did catch Em's attention, so he added him to the label.

This deal will keep Yelawolf on Ghet-O-Vision through Shady/Interscope and return Joell Ortiz to the camp he left in 2008.

Read more...

Joell Ortiz pushes "Free Agent" back to Write for "Detox"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In 2007, New York rapper, Joell Ortiz released his debut album, The Brick (Bodega Chronicles) on Koch Records. The album caught the attention of Dr. Dre, who quickly signed him to Aftermath Entertainment. Dre had hoped to put him in the studio and have his next album out by 2008.

However, with Dr. Dre overseeing projects from Eminem, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and many other artists, Joell Ortiz grew tired of waiting. Sensing his album would be coming sometime after Detox, Joell Ortiz left Aftermath. He began working on his next album, Free Agent.

While working on the album, Joell Ortiz joined Slaughterhouse and the group signed with Shady Records. Soon, Joell Ortiz was no longer a free agent. He was signed by SRC Records and he began putting the finishing touches on his Free Agent album. The album was set for a November 29, 2010 release. But, with today here, the album is not ready.

Despite not being able to record on Dr. Dre's label, Joell Ortiz has still worked with him. The Christmas of 2007 was a great Christmas for Joell Ortiz because of Dr. Dre. Even though things did not work out, he feels as if he owes the doctor something. Ever since Dr. Dre decided to go ahead and finish Detox, Joell Ortiz decided to do some writing for the album. He has spent more time writing than he has actually working on his own album, so Ortiz decided to push his album back until January 2011 so he can finish Detox.

Joell Ortiz's sophomore album, Free Agent, is to have production work from DJ Premier and Cool & Dre. The album will have guest appearances from The L.O.X. and Fat Joe.

Read more...

Joe Budden close to Shady Records deal

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

For over a year, Joe Budden has been involved with Eminem and Shady Records through Slaughterhouse. Last year, it was confirmed that they would sign to Shady Records. The group consists of four members, Budden, Crooked I, Royce da 5'9, and Joell Ortiz.

Signing the artists has been difficult as each artist has been in deals with other labels. But, as their contracts have come to a close, they have officially been able to create Slaughterhouse. For the past few months, buzz about the supergroup has been becoming more and more nonexistent.

Right when people have nearly forgotten about the crew, they come with more news. Joe Budden said they are very close to completing the deal with Shady Records. The reason they have been out of the public eye is because each rapper has been getting out of their label deal. Budden said the deal is complicated because there are so many rappers involved.

One reason why they have remained interested in signing with Shady Records has been because of Eminem and his passion for hip hop. Even with his recent run at the top, Budden says Eminem has been 200% involved in everything concerning Slaughterhouse. The deal is expected to be completed sometime this fall and their debut album will come sometime late in 2011.

Read more...