Is Slaughterhouse Still Together? (Crooked I Addresses With New Song)

If there's any album I have been waiting on, (besides Detox, but Dre killed that off with Compton, luckily) it's Slaughterhouse's next LP Glass House, and while he didn't a give an update, Crooked I definitely addressed rumors about the group in a new song recently.

In Crooked I's new song "Gift Rap", he dropped some pretty eye raising bars about the entire situation with Slaughterhouse; "well they, ask me did Eminem drop Slaughterhouse? did y'all break up since Joe Budden dropped Slaughtermouse? Seen you on Peter Rosenberg and Ebro, your energy was zero, see bro, is there something y'all wanna talk about?"

Crook continues on; "and if it is, don't play the nice dude, just pull a Ice Cube if it's the right move, they ain't putting your album out? damn, these niggas got an attitude, thought we'd be your niggas for life, where's the gratitude? All these questions they're pointing 'em in my direction, like the business end of a Smith & Wesson but I ain't stressing, just came home I was in Detroit visiting Marshall's session, to be in the presence of the one of the goats is still a blessing."

These lines definitely raise some questions (to keep that final rhyme scheme flowing), but no real questions were answered, nor rumors put to rest with Crooked's new song. Check it out below, and form your own opinion. What's holding up the new album?  (Supposedly Just Blaze, but he denies it)

Crooked I - "Gift Rap"
https://soundcloud.com/treacherousrecords/kxng-crooked-gift-rap





     

(Late) Throwback Thursday: Just Blaze Discusses the Making Of Exhibit C

I have this philosophy when it comes to posting that basically goes like this; it's never a bad time to show appreciation to greatness. It was over 6 years ago that Jay Electronica dropped his ground breaking Just Blaze produced song "Exhibit C". (And because it's Jay Elec) There's always some sort of aura that surrounds the song (not to mention Jay Electronica himself) and many questions are always asked when his name comes up (like who is Jay Elec, where did he come from, why did Jay Z sign him and when is the album dropping just to name a few that come straight to mind), but somehow whenever a story about Jay Electronica is given from someone close to him (such as Jay Z, or his legendary producer Just Blaze) we feel at ease at least for a little bit. So, I thought this little interview with Just Blaze about the making of "Exhibit C" could hold you over just a little longer while you wait for Jay Electronica to start taking his music seriously. Enjoy.

                                              (*I do not own this video, or the rights to it*)     

Jay Electronica's Album Delay (Also A Brief Case For Why You Should Pay Attention, My Theory)

If there is one thing that compares to Dr. Dre's mythical Detox album (update: not considered "Detox" anymore) in the rap game today (or maybe even the entire music game, probably not but you know) it is probably Jay Electronica's debut album, Act II: The Pledge. This album has been talked about on and off since about 2010, and many Jay fans (some not even Jay fans, rap fans in general) have given up hope on the long-awaited debut. In any other case, I'd say it's hard to argue with the fans that have given up hope. But in this case, to me it's a little different, and let me explain why.

Jay Electronica might be the biggest tease on earth at this point, but it'd be smart to bear with him and see what he has to offer. I'm not saying be a Jay "Stan" and wait for every single release to drop (nobody has that kind of time anyways), but to pay attention to what he does, because when he does do something, it is more than likely a game changer and records like "Exhibit C" and "Better In Tune With Infinite" prove it. The problem is it's hard to tell when we can expect a new record from him, but I'd almost explain him as the Dos Equis man of hip hop (He has a following of fans, without releasing any music [Dos Equis guy voice]. Right? Anybody?).

And that is what I believe the twist with Jay Electronica is, it's an ear/desire to make good music mixed with a fear of releasing bad music (that and the mix of Jay's drug use holding him back, as he said recently in an interview attending the BET Hip-Hop Awards). Jay is such a "game changer" that he wants people to see the difference in him and your every day average rapper. You'd be blind or deaf to say there isn't a difference, but based on today's standards of music (especially rap today, and the mix tape era) and it's listeners, people just don't have the patience to wait. With the availability of music today, whether it be free or not, Jay is asking a lot in what he wants from his fan base. Or is he?

What makes Jay different from the rest of the rap pack?  No I didn't say ratt pack (sorry Logic fans), but if people really cared and maybe you were forced to ask me of my opinion, I'd say it's that Jay is trying to do something different, yet bring rap music back to a simpler, more enjoyable period in time. Jay is pretty old (just turned 38 a few days ago actually) to be considered the every day average XXL freshman, so for him to appreciate the old rap and mix that with his brand of music making, that probably wouldn't give him the every day average "young rapper trying to make it" persona (especially the young part). So the generational gap in not only beliefs, but style comes into play. Not to mention his rumored affiliation with Nas (rumors of his ghostwriting for Nas are insane to me, but a co sign from Nas would NEVER be a bad thing, in fact quite the opposite). And being signed by Jay Z and having your music produced by the legendary Just Blaze isn't a bad case either (has anyone ever noticed the weird "Jay connection" with Roc Nation?  I mean Jay Z, J. Cole, Jay Electronica, seriously what's the deal?).

So should you be interested in what Jay Electronica's next move is?  I say yes. My explanation would probably be a mix between "his music is great and differentiates from the pack" to "I can't describe the fascination with the aura around him." So needless to say I'll be waiting for the next release from him, but the problem is being able to tell when that release is going to be. The man has played his cards pretty close to the chest at this point, so he only draws more interest with that aura already placed around him. An example of this is how often he puts out music. All of his music seems to get a fantastic response from fans, but is that because he so seldom releases music, or because it is really that good?  The fan boy in me can't tell the difference between the 2 (a reason being I've been fascinated with the idea of Detox and it not being released since I first heard about it, I'll go as far as putting Guns N Roses' Chinese Democracy into the equation). All I can hope for for Jay fans everywhere is that you (we) get some sort of answer soon, but the fact that he is performing at the B.E.T Awards in October is certainly a good start.      


  

        
 
      



 

Shady XV: An Exciting Year For Shady Fans

Normally I'm more of a Twitter addict than I'd like to admit, but last night I was glued to it for one reason and one reason only. You'd probably think because of the VMAs right?  Wrong. Well, half right. But it wasn't because of Beyoncé's acceptance of the Video Vanguard Award, it wasn't because of Nicki Minaj or Iggy Azalea (at least not last night), and it wasn't even because of Usher's performance (shocker). I was glued to Twitter of course because of Eminem's Shady XV!  What is Shady XV you ask?  Well now I can tell you (since last night Mr. ILikeToRelease20SecondPromoVideosButGiveNoRealDetails didn't feel like... you know, giving any details).

At first I was excited about seeing an Eminem tweet that read "Blink and you'll miss it... #VMAs #SHADYXV." But of course we should know by now that when it comes to Mr. ILikeToRelease20SecondPromoVideosButGiveNoRealDetails, that was all people were going to get. Oddly enough the real promo didn't come during the Video Music Awards, but on Twitter. Shortly after this tweet, Eminem then continued to tweet a 20 second promo video that ended with the words "SHADYXV" on the screen. Check out the promo video below.

Pretty sweet right?  Now if you think too much about these sorts of things (like me) and start to make your own theories about what this could mean, your first assumption would be that it's another sequel to a classic album. Slim Shady LP 2 possibly?  Man would that be insane!  It only makes sense right?  Following up the successful 2013 effort Marshall Mathers LP 2 with a sequel to a record that started it all?  While all of this sounds cool, to me Shady fans got something equally as cool, released in a statement exclusively from shadyrecords.com. Shady XV is a compilation album release of Shady Record's 15th anniversary of its original start in 1999. It will include the greatest hits of all Shady Records members, including the newly released "Guts Over Fear" record from Eminem and Sia that will be used as the lead single for "The Equalizer," the new movie featuring Denzel Washington.

But there is more than just a compilation album coming folks. Yes that is correct, not only will we be getting a new album of the greatest hits from these fellow Shady Records members that will include new material, we will also be getting new albums from Eminem, Slaughterhouse, Yelawolf, Bad Meets Evil, and even a new D12 record is on the way. Are you excited yet? 

So admittedly I'm pretty damn excited about what is going to be happening in the rap world in what I can only assume to be the next year. I mean it wouldn't be proper to release this 15 year anniversary album the year after the anniversary, obviously, the compilation album is set for a November 24th release date. But in the year to come?!  A HUGE year for Shady Records alone, let alone all of hip hop. I've personally been waiting for a new Slaughterhouse album since after the last one came out (knowing they can do better production-wise, and they will, with Just Blaze at the helm obviously). Only time will tell what happens up until that point. It's funny, it's almost like the calm before the storm all over again. Enjoy Eminem's new single "Guts Over Fear" below.

    

Slaughterhouse's House Rules: The Review

In a genre of music which we call a game; a genre of music that others call a fad or "trendy" for the time being; and a genre of music that is judged constantly on its cockiness, flair, and its ways of expression, maybe a change of pace can show people what it's really all about. In the current state of true hip hop, many would argue it's not anywhere near its peak. What some grew up on...the story-telling brand, and the fun, lyrical, bouncy sort of vibe we got listening to it seems to have changed into something so braggadocios. Then along comes this group.....Slaughterhouse.

Maybe I'm a bit biased due to them being my favorites in the game, but it's very hard to argue that any other single rapper or group brings to the table what these guys do. TDE, Young Money, argue who you will, but there aren't many others who can make you feel through music like these guys. They remind you with the introspective "Offshore," in which each member continues the trend of venting in songs like we're so used to hearing. Ortiz discusses the first time meeting Crooked I and the times they've had together, Crooked talks about his grandmother passing and the hardships of coming up in the game, Royce discusses coming up and his family, and Joe goes back to his "mood muzik" self while talking about his drug addiction.

One of the most lyrical, if not the most lyrical rapper out right now, Crooked I says what is on his mind, no matter what it is. He has no problem venting about the passing of his grandmother, label issues, and growing up in the hood of LBC as he continues to show his hunger in every song. In songs like "SayDatThen," "Offshore," and "Struggle," Crook's drive has never been more evident as he is rapping like his life depends on it. And I'm pretty sure if you asked him, he'd say it was.

Royce Da 5'9 raps on this tape like there's no competition visible, and is not afraid to point out those who have shunned him as a serious emcee. In his very own track "Keep It 100," he discusses the industry, and his growth in maturity along with his still keeping it real like attitude. With both being from Detroit, he certainly shows his frustration as he singles out Big Sean as not giving him any love on songs or verses. Royce certainly does "keep it 100" on this whole tape as usual, and my personal favorite verse of his is on the intro track "House Rules," where he just goes off in proper Royce fashion while showing us a hint of a singing voice in the build up, right in the middle of his verse.

Joell Ortiz has definitely stepped up his rapping, in my opinion the difference has been evident since the release of "On The House," the mix tape pre "Welcome To: Our House." In his own choice cut, "Life In The City," Joell goes in over some hard production courtesy of Heatmakerz, discussing exactly that. Guns, drugs, hard acting gangstas in the hood-type rhymes are all accompanied by some confident rhymes and great lines like "just because you write rhymes don't mean you rhyme write, you a light high, don't jump and become a highlight." Ortiz has never always been the stand out of the group, but he's certainly one to watch with sleeper lines like the aforementioned.

 Joe Budden, the mood muzik king of course, is certainly no slouch on this project either. Besides his missing verses on some songs for some odd reason, the man himself never gives us a bad verse. He's back to his reminiscent, venting ways on songs like "I Don't Know," where he talks about growing up in the streets, how to survive, and how he is where he is now. It's hard to determine whether or not he still struggles with drug abuse, as he has in the past, as he has said. From the sounds of this project he might still be overcoming the process. Despite any issues he might have, Budden is always entertaining and I am certainly looking forward to what he has to say on the album.

Are Slaughterhouse just diss heads whose only goals are to point out the real against the fake in hip hop?  That saying may be partially right, depending on your perspective. I believe that Slaughterhouse's true goal is to just continue the culture of real, fun, lyrical hip-hop. Some would argue they still have work to do even coming up on their second major label album. I still wonder why they have so many individual songs aimed for just one member, or why they have so many songs out that exclude one member's verse. A possible aim to release material some time in the future?  Who knows. Their production value has always been a bit of a lack to me, but with one of the greatest to ever do it at the executive spot for this album, Just Blaze, maybe they'll finally get the production they deserve. We shall certainly see, look out for their album "Glass House" set for release before the end of the year.