Slaughterhouse Features Joe Budden, Royce 5'9"

Rap Supergroup's "Slaughterhouse," Includes Crooked I, Joell Ortiz

Jul 27, 2009

Joe Budden, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9" have combined to form the rap supergroup Slaughterhouse. Their debut album features hits "The One" and "Cuckoo."

Slaughterhouse, the self-titled debut from the rap supergroup of the same name, hits stores on 11 August 2009. It is the highly anticipated collaboration of four of hip hop’s most respected lyricists and non-commercial emcees. The combination is pure street hop, and features collaborations from producers Pharoae Monch and the Alchemist.

The Slaughterhouse lineup

The Slaughterhouse group originated from a collaboration between Joe Budden, Royce da 5’9”, Joell Ortiz and Crooked I on a 2009 song from Joe Budden’s Padded Room album. The chemistry between the four rappers was so good that the group decided to record an album. The song, titled "Slaughterhouse," has become the group's trademark song.

The recording sessions would produce the mixtape hits “Onslaught,” “Fight Club,” “Wack MCs” and “Warriors.”

Royce da 5’9”, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Crooked I

The four members of the Slaughterhouse group have had varying levels of success in varying times in the rap industry. Joe Budden saw high success for his debut album and Mood Muczik mixtapes, while not enjoying the same success on his 2009 album Padded Room.

Royce da 5’9” has enjoyed much underground success, especially with his Bar Exam mixtapes and early 2000s album Death is Certain. Royce released the Revival EP just prior to the release of the Slaughterhouse album, and preluded his own album with the single “Shake This.”

Crooked I and Joell Ortiz are the least known members of Slaughterhouse. They look to expound on their Slaughterhouse notoriety by releasing mixtapes just before the upcoming album and albums of their own within the following year.

“The One” and “Cuckoo”

The two singles from the Slaughterhouse album both open with verses from standout Royce da 5’9” and are commanded by closing verses from Joe Budden. The first single “The One” is a rocking number that highlights the aggressive side of the group and their tendency toward less commercial hip hop beats.

The second single “Cuckoo” is another hard-hitter. “Cuckoo” features split verses by each of the four rappers, and some of the most vivid lines in the careers of Crooked I, Joell Ortiz and Joe Budden.

The album is to be followed by solo albums from Royce da 5’9’’ (Street Hop), Joe Budden (Escape Route), Joell Ortiz (Free Agent) and Crooked I (Mr. Pigface Weapon Waist).

The copyright of the article Slaughterhouse Features Joe Budden, Royce 5'9" in Rap/Hip Hop Music is owned by Matthew Fortuna. Permission to republish Slaughterhouse Features Joe Budden, Royce 5'9" in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.