Once every blue moon hip-hop somehow or another puts together a collective that seems to promise a classic album months or even years before it drops. In the late 90s it was the Hot Boys, in 2005 it was Atlanta’s Boyz N Da Hood. This year things look even more promising as already established MCs Royce Da 5’9”, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, and Crooked I are collaborating as the collective Slaughterhouse.

The group originated from the track “Slaughterhouse” off Joe Budden’s Halfway House album. The four felt that the chemistry was so strong just ten short months ago that they needed to release an album together; and now the day has come.

Producer Streetrunner laces a horn heavy victory lap inspired backdrop for the quartet to spit hot fire on the opening gun shot “Sound Off.” All four MCs go all the way in over The Alchemist’s elaborate production credentials on the statement making “Microphone.” The Slaughterhouse collective opt for a more rock & roll approach on the DJ Khalil produced head banger and first single “The One.”

Each of the members take turns basically spitting the most off the wall shit that they can on the non-apologetic “Cuckooo.” Fatman Scoop offers his energetic ad-libs on the second coming of the group’s first ever song on the cleverly Emile produced “Onslaught 2.” All four MCs profess their dissatisfaction with the rap game on the Mr. Porter helmed “Cut You Loose,” where Joe Budden goes to the extent of relinquishing control back to Method Man.

In most cases similar to this one an album such as this would have never seen the light of day. With that said the simple fact that Joell Ortiz, Crooked I, Joe Budden, and Royce Da 5’9” could all come together and get this thing to the public is a true testament for their individual loves for hip-hop.

The bottom line as far as music is concerned is that the quartet did more than handle their business on this effort. Anytime you can couple stellar production with an abundance of non-stop lyrical onslaught you have a certified winner. Hopefully this isn’t the end of something so good and maybe other rappers will also cash in on this new formula!

VERDICT – 15 / 20
LYRICS: 4
PRODUCTION: 4
DELIVERY: 4
CONSISTENCY: 3

Apparently the Joe Budden and Method Man beef is over but I have to say that I’m a little skeptical about how this is going to work out. First of all he says that a bunch of people who aren’t a part of the situation had shit to say. In other words he’s shittin on the blogs (me), well buddy we’ll just shit on you back. Check your last album sales my dude. Next he goes on to say that it’s over but he basically dry threatens the entire Wu. Somewhere in New York I’m thinking that Raekwon isn’t taking too lightly to this apology. Stay tuned for this one!

This is exactly why I didn’t think that it was a good idea for Joe Buddens to be poppin off at the mouth about Method Man. I just had a sense that the other 78 members of the Wu would take offense to it even though they don’t always like each other. They truly are brothers.  Although Raekwon takes the high road here it still seems like he would love nothing more than to get all off up in Joe Budden’s ass!

I’m not at all too hyped about this whole Slaughterhouse project. I guess it’s mainly because I just can’t dig that one cat Joe Budden at all. Maybe he’ll actually step up his game and show the world why he has so many damn internet stans. Crooked I, I haven’t really heard enough from him. Royce Da 5’9”, I’ve never really been into him. So that pretty much just leaves Joell Ortiz whom I feel has the most potential out of any of them. Lets just wait and see what happens!

First off fuck your career and the skills you claim, your whole outlook on the rap game is about as lame as “Pump It Up.” Of course everyone got offended when you made some of the statements you made Joe Budden. You know why, because you suck dude! For real, you should be eatin this publicity up because its ten times more buzz than either of your album’s ever created for you. I apologize if no one else feels the same way; it just sucks that every time there is a headline about Joe Budden it turns out to be him just talking about how good he can rap as opposed to him actually rapping.