Slaughterhouse: A Reviving Collaboration

I spend a large percentage of my personal time listening to newer rap music, searching for what I view as signs of life in a dying genre. I'm not saying all new music is terrible, but I believe the rap style that was present between 1990-2002 (my opinion of course) is fading slowly away. Many people who hear me speak of this say, “you just need to let it go, music changes.” That’s hard for an individual whose teenage survival was rooted in music. You will hear people say that music changed their life, but how many are telling the truth? It may be that they listened to music every waking moment of their life. But what about those of us whose life actually depended on and required music? What are we to do when the style of music that kept us alive is no longer being made? We need to find that creative talent, which brings me to Slaughterhouse.

My original post for this blog was about a rap artist named Freddie Gibbs, who still holds a high rating in my iPod. However, one artist is not enough. I need to hear that spirit emulated in newer albums. A couple years ago, I attended a Tech N9ne (who also belongs in my high ratings) concert at a small venue in Milwaukee. The lineup for the show was names I was mostly familiar with, but one named Slaughterhouse was not in my mental databank. Assuming this was a hard metal band, I proceeded to the bar in the basement of the venue to wait for Tech’s set. I had lost a friend of mine and went to the stage room to find him. What I heard and saw was glorious. Royce Da 5’9”, Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, and Crooked-I were gracing the stage with a more than admirable track list. My interest was peaked, and I wasted no time in purchasing their self-titled debut album.

The album is a wonderful setup of easy but well produced instrumentals, complex and mind-blowing lyrics, and subject matter worthy of my beloved musical decade. Royce Da 5’9” provides his intelligent and instantly recognizable flow, appearing to be the front man of the group. Crooked-I contributes with a west coast flow, easily proving a point with his captivating voice. Joell Ortiz can easily be identified as “the fast one”, painting pictures with his lyrics and forcing the listener to understand his emotion. Finally, Joe Budden, whom I have had no appreciation for before, is obviously unleashed in the presence of his newfound brethren. It appears, in my opinion, that former labels and collaborators had held Budden back. It is in Slaughterhouse that his lyrical ability and flow are advanced and spot on with the group. A self-titled EP was released in 2011, featuring improved instrumentals and an even more vicious flow from each member.

Having only released a debut album and EP, Slaughterhouse could be considered an infant in the music industry. This claim is refuted by the career history of every band member. All four have had their share of issues in the music industry; each one of them denied their rightful place as being “famous”. That is all about to change. Royce Da 5’9”s long time friend (and occasional foe) Eminem has signed the group to Shady records. Having the appropriate financial and reputable backing, Slaughterhouse should have no problem rising to stardom. Their sophomore album Welcome to: OUR HOUSE launches on March 15^th; and for me this marks a wonderful day for the rap community.