Videos of the Week

@billmaher & @janemarielynch Read "The Weinerlogues"

@IAMSEANGARRETT feat @rickyrozay - In Da Box (video)

@Eminem & @therealroyce59 Perform Lighters at @bonnaroo

@NEWBOYZ feat @ChrisBrown - Better With the Lights Off (video)

@timwestwood interview with @Yelawolf before his performance with Wu Tang in the UK

@RYANLESLIE Performs Joan of Arc at the Apple store on 14th Street in New York City

"Terrible, But Not Rippable, Invincible, I Hung Invisible"

Two words, lyrical ferocity. That's all the description needed to describe the faced paced diamond in the rough and absolute heat rock off @Eminem and @therealroyce59 new EP, Hell: The Sequel. While bloggers like me have been raving about Lighters and On Everything, this one has managed to hover under the radar a bit. I'm betting after folks take a full lap around the disc that will change as it's hard to ignore the verse both lyricists smear all over the @MrPorter2012 head nod symphony.

It's been sort of a ho hum month so far with new releases and I feel like the Bad Meets Evil disk is sustaining me until some more heavyweights drop like @BIGSEAN's Finally Famous and the much hyped @kanyewest & @s_c_ collabo Watch the Throne. Not a huge surprise that Carter 4 got pushed back after that weird single leaked last week...still smh about that one. Alas he made up for it with his interesting decision to go unplugged and cover Pac's Hail Mary during the set. Should be entertaining to see Weezy F do somethin different when that drops in a bit.

Don't be afraid to give Hell: The Sequel a full listen, it's well worth your time. Just don't cop out and get the non-Deluxe version cause that Echo track prod by @imadeitinc is harder than the contents of a toolbox...#HiddenGem

Bad Meets Evil feat Claret Jai - Above the Law (prod by Mr. Porter)

|iTunes

"And Now All I Wanna See, Is a Sky Full of Lighters"

Not exactly a cameo I thought would ever happen, but you're not gonna hear one complaint out of me that @BrunoMars got together with @Eminem & @therealroyce59 on a track that'll be on their new album Bad Meets Evil - Hell: The Sequel. It'll be hitting shelves and iTunes on June 14th, but like any "In Demand" Hip Hop album it probably won't last the week before it leaks. Just like the sun coming up every day it's become a predictable part of Hip Hop culture and in my eyes having (presumably) the best track on the album NOT leak until less than two weeks before it drops, it's too bad. Glad to see Royce isn't getting all bent out of shape about it at least...

The lyrics are aggressive and quippy all around with lines from Royce like "Cause what goes up must come down, You going down on something you don’t wanna see like a hairy box" and "Ya’ll are doomed, I remember when T-Pain ain't wanna work with me, My car starts itself, parks itself and autotunes". I was glad to see The Smeezingtons were behind the production on the track too, proving yet again they're much more than just Bruno's production team...#AskCeeLo

Sure it's a little more pop than you'd expect, but Eminem has legitimized Hip Hop being pop because he still refuses to have a filter on even the most bubble gum sounding tracks. It'll be hard to top this one, but between Fast Lane and Lighters, the album as a whole looks to be chalked full of thought provoking vulgarity over stellar production. Just wish it was more than 9 tracks...#InAPerfectWorld

Bad Meets Evil (Eminem & Royce da 5'9) feat Bruno Mars - Lighters (prod by Eminem, The Smeezingtons & Battle Roy)

|iTunes

"My Slow Flow is Euphoric, it’s Like I Rap Endorphins"

The once good friends under the same label, turned distant acquaintances by mutual friends/enemies are back to making great records together. I don't need to go into the whole history between @Eminem and @therealroyce59, but it bordered around D12 and most notably group leader Proof, which was a good friend of Eminems. In 2006, Proof was shot and killed in a Detroit club, which was particularly rough on Eminem since they were friends from way back. To say that I was touched when I heard his and Obie Trice's tribute to Proof on Difficult (Dudey) would be a huge understatement...

*R.I.P. Proof*
Anyways, fast forward to now and the upcoming group effort by the duo who will release their EP under the name Bad Meets Evil. The track below, Fast Lane is off their upcoming EP, which will be released under Interscope and feature collaborations from Bruno Mars, Slaughterhouse and production from Mr. Porter and Bangladesh.

#FACT: If the EP is filled with heat rocks like the one below, it could turn out to be one of the better reunion Hip Hop albums ever...#HowsThatForHype?

Eminem & Royce da 5'9" - Fast Lane

"I'm Sick as Tyson in the Ring at the Colosseum With Gonorrhea"

For starters, I woulda paid a pretty penny to be at spectator at the Highline Ballroom last night in NYC, where @DaRealSlaughter struck a match and lit the house on fire. Plenty of media like the pic above from this source, as well as this one. Hearing reactions like the one below from @JoeBudden didn't make me feel any better...

Anecdotal video evidence would suggest there was some truth to what Joe said, especially with the other cameos from @realdjpremier, @bunbtrillog, @lloydbanks and @pharoahemonch...

S/O to Dallas Penn on the footage, that's a good look. To put things in perspective, Slaughterhouse to me represents a futuristic version of what Hip Hop started out as. Relatively simple, but high energy beats that are nothing more than an empty canvas to spit equally high energy lyrics that make you think and hang on to each line in an attempt to catch up to each lyricists train of thought.

Truth be told Slaughterhouse has been a ticking time bomb of lyrical talent that hardly needs a catalyst for the group to achieve Hip Hip supremacy. When I say catalyst, I mean a big break...like for example getting signed by Shady Records. Getting that type of break is like someone saying a wealthy man winning the lottery and becoming a billionaire. Dude already had stacks, bout Verne Troyer high, without winning the lottery, but now he's ungodly rich, kinda like Slaughterhouse right now. They just got the keys to the castle with Eminem and Dre now being able to give their two cents in helping their already ascending career that has been more about blazing their own new trail rather than signing their lives over to a record company and taking the path most traveled. @techn9ne has proven over time that Indie Hip Hop has a dedicated following and the more the Indie-ness is being pushed into the limelight of pop culture with stuff like this to go along with Shady investing in Slaughterhouse and Yelawolf, the less different it sounds and the more it will end up shaping the genre of Hip Hop.

Yea I guess you could say I'm excited...and you should be too when you hear tracks like the one below produced by @mrporter2012. Y'all should now know that "You get more for your money when you f*** with Mr. Porter"....#ClassicSlaughter

Slaughterhouse - Sun Doobie (prod by Mr. Porter)

|Download

"You Gon be Around Here Bout Long as Justin Bieber’s Virginity"

With Joey's Mood Muzik 4 hitting stores in a little over two weeks, it's becoming pretty clear he's not about to put out some half assed compilation. By now y'all know I tend to favor his emotionally transparent lyrical style that sheds light on every single dark thought that pervades his cranium. Call it emotional Hip Hop if you want, but I liken it to the crazy shit that Eminem writes about, they have a similar skill or lack of a filter when they start emptying their thoughts on a notepad in their own abrasive, artistic way. Yea it can rub people the wrong way, but it's real and there's an allure to it that is more relatable to the listener, and as a result, it ends up being more respectable than a lot of the processed, label produced music.

With all that being said, this one takes three of the most under-appreciated writers in the game right now with @mousebudden teaming up with @MYFABOLOUSLIFE & @therealroyce59 and splatters their high octane verses over a simple, but appropriate @jcardim beat. The verses seem to gradually grow in intensity as each rapper seemingly tries to do their own thing on the track by adding a little bit more intensity and vigor to their verse than the previous. Put it this way, when it's a track without a hook, the focus better be on the bars and delivery, which is the case here and a big reason why the track is great for what it is. Call a spade a spade and this group of titans GOES IN on some memorable verses, with plenty of quotables...(Fab -"Jeff Goldblum couldn't be more fly to me"). Sidebar: My vote for the Brian Wilson award goes to Royce for closin' down the track with an unmatched delivery of his characteristically creative wordplay. Wrap your mind around this quoteable by Royce -"Hennessey, kennedy, king, mixed with a kill or be killed, killer regime".

Proofs in the pudding, go support ya man @mousebudden when his newest high quality effort drops in a couple weeks...

Joe Budden ft. Lloyd Banks, Fabolous & Royce Da 5'9" - Remember The Titans (prod by J. Cardim)

| Download

Setting a Lyrical Standard...Royce da 5'9" feat Crooked I & Bun-B - Nobody F'in With Us

With half of Slaughterhouse being represented on this track in combination with one of my favorite artists, Bun-B, it wasn't a stretch to say I was going to like this track before even listening. After listening to it, I left thinking to myself...wait hold up...Crook and Bun killed it, but again I was reminded of how incredibly underrated Royce da 5'9" is as a lyricist. Evidently this isn't even the final version of the track as Joe Budden and a few others are going to lend a verse which will eventually push the track length over 10 mins. Let's just rail off a few notable quotables from the track:

Bun-B off top -"Let's get it started like transmission and alternators got the keys in the cage ready for who you call the greatest"

Crooked I - "I'm the present in the future, like Christmas in 2012 I'm the present in the future"

"I am tighter than the Biggest Losers cruisin in a smart Car, distinguished alke, the flask on the ar-mour"

Royce da 5'9" (best verse by far, he gets it all posted)
"Flow tight I should probably ghost write for your idol
my pen game is god like I could write for the Bible
I'm so good
That after I rock it tonight
I'ma go Sexual Chocolate and drop the mic!
Don't even attempt to stop me
Mention me, top me
my pencil is nice it should only be mentally dropping the dice
I'm a speech beast you best do not approach me
Matter of fact I think I'll second that emotion like a retweet
my stock goin up like a Lamborghini door
I feel like Chuck Woolery in the damn Bernini store
You playin yourself you remind me of the lotto
You was good then you turned hood you remind me of Muscato
I don't aim I'm like Dick Cheney
The fo sprayer, light yo head up like lil pay-in when he get angry
This ain't Simon says, b**** this what Ryan says
I hit the track and its a wrap like Aunt Jemima's head
I'm beyond out of my mind
If you can imagine using Magic's Johnson without a condom I'm BONKERS!
Yea..got the streets goin dude is tremendous
If I come for your blood I ain't gon be usin' syringes
I am raw, there is a difference between I and y'all
You oppose, you throwin fireballs...at an iron wall
The sound of Alan G Black signin his name on the dotted line
is your favorite rapper signing off...."

Crazy creativity, wordplay and flow....can't wait for Joey to bless the track too. Give it a listen if you're in the  freestyle mood and can appreciate some lyrics dipped in swagger....

Royce da 5'9" feat Crooked I Bun-B - Nobody F'in With Us HOTTTT!!!!

SNOWED IN!!!....Joe Budden & Royce da 5'9" - 40/40 Club

Thought this was a fitting combo post with snow being the main theme of the week since it's being measured in feet rather than inches. Above is ya boy Joey standin' proud next to his "thugged out snowman" Bernard Jr.. Is it me or does Bernard Jr look like he's up to sumthin'?? haha.

Anyways, the track being highlighted in this post was my second favorite joint this past month behind the Nappy Roots track I just raved about. The why part is easy, the two verses Royce Nickel 9 and Joe spit have so many intelligent, pop culture relevant lines throughout the track that it's deserving of mention and praise. Let's examine a few notable quotable from Royce:

“My momma got fangs, my daddy got ducks feet
I was genetically predisposed to f*** freaks”

“Get it right, my sh** is knocking like our words be doors
We can fight — that’s right, put your dukes up
And let you fist pump like you on the Jersey Shore”

“I claimed the town before I give you lames the crown
You’ll get it soon as Snoop gains a pound”

Alright how about a few from Jersey's finest Budden:

“What part of the game is this, bunch of dicks in the studio
So I take mine elsewhere, I'm Rick Rubio”

“Rap for hire, call me if help is needed
I got this whole sh** covered, Darrelle Revis”

“I'm interrupting with no pardon, I ain't Mike Wilbon
From day one, he just speak his mind
Cause loose leafs don't come with subtitles, can't read between the lines”

Wait a second, was that last line a PTI shout out? Damn right it was and it was rewarded by Wilbon on show when he gave a shout out to Joe Budden. Check it...


Now what I wanna know is who alerted Wilbon that he was given a shout out on the track? Let's just say I'd be very surprised to hear he was scouring his favorite hip hop blogs or even following him on twitter to even find the song. Given this track has been circulating for a couple weeks now and I know I'm late on donating my two pennies about it, but I woulda been breakin' some law by not giving credit where credit is due...and credit is and continually will be due to 1/2 of what makes up the most talented Hip Hop group in the industry right now. Please don't act like you don't know, that act is getting moldy its so old...

Royce, Joel...cool as a cucumber...Crook throwin' up a Dub reppin' LBC....and Joey FOCUSED! Kinda like this track, give it a listen and admire the way the duo weave through verses like like Javier Arenas...

Joe Budden & Royce da 5'9" - 40/40 (prod by Soul Searchin) Hoootttt!!!
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Album Review: Slaughterhouse

In my humble opinion, this new album from Slaughterhouse had the chance to be one of the best collections of lyricists assembled since maybe NWA. I use NWA as a comparison because lyrically they share the same energy and rawness in their delivery. With true "gangster rap" fading out in the 90s and being largely looked down upon at the time by pop culture...but still at the same time being recognized by true Hip Hop heads as a neccesary element that helped shape the future of Hip Hop, this release by Slaughterhouse had a chance to be that album that did what NWA couldn't do during their era...make an in your face Hip Hop album that was characterized by strong lyrics (both explicitly and creatively), but still appealed to more than just dedicated Hip Hop fans.

Let me first say, if you’ve read any previous reviews or even noticed my banner on the blog you would have noticed how big of a fan I am of Crooked I. Lyrically none in the game now can match his wit and incredible off the brain creativity. While Crook has always been a favorite, Joell Ortiz has really impressed me since the inception of Slaughterhouse as a group. He’s the second best to Crook at freestyling lyrics on the spot and when you really listen to what he's saying. He's sort of got that same one step ahead flow that always comes off like he's got every lined planned out but he's still spitting words wildly that make sense.

Now the other two members, I’ve always has a lot of respect for. First, Joe Budden with songs like Whatever it Takes and The Unforgiven, he's always released tracks that should be given the respect they deserve just because of how real they are. Joe B definitely has a lot of skeletons in his closet, but he is not afraid to let them out of the closet through his verses and there’s a lot to respect about that, it shows his interest in getting things off his chest and trying to improve as a person by venting to complete strangers...which takes a lot to do. Last, but definitely not least, Royce Da 5’9....clearly he’s always had talent, why else would Eminem have signed him? But he’s still never really gotten his break despite always putting together extremely well lyrically conceived tracks. I can respect him taking a leadership role in this eclectic foursome because despite being a genuinely under appreciated artist, he still plays the role of veteran well.

As far as the album goes, it was pretty strong. I can't say it was very strong or a classic by any stretch of the imagination because after song 7, Cuckoo, there were only terrible interludes and filler tracks in my opinion.

Now that doesn't take away from the beginning of the album that brings nothing but high energy and on point lyrics. I really like the way they set up the album with the personification of every Slaughterhouse member as a body part on the track Sound Off. Every verse on the track gives a little quick intro of each member's style with a quick intro, then they all show their versatility by absolutely waxing the end of all their verses when they speed up their rhymes.

The heat continues on the next track, Lyrical Murders, which is my favorite track on the album. it has the perfect sort of West Coast organ gangster rap sound that fits what they bring as a group. Microphone continues the freestyle beat sound that really augments the strong lyrics of all four artists on their verses. Honestly, I would have liked the next track Not Tonight better if Joe Budden hadn't already used the beat because Alchemist kills the keys in the background. The next two tracks are my other two favorites, The One and Cuckoo. Both tracks have gotten a lot of love on the 'net and provided the hype needed for this album to potentially be successful. Of course they are both produced by one of my favorite producers in the game, DJ Khalil, who brings more of a party beat on The One. The track has pop culture infused lyrics that were probably intentionally placed to gain some radio love as a single. Can't hate on that especially when they follow it up with such a lyrically sick (literally) track that Khalil laces with a "horror rap" sounding beat. Really lends credence to their group name Slaughterhouse, not for the faint of heart, just in your face vulgar Rap. With lines like:

"killin every feature like I'm a drunk plastic surgeon, certainly dirty past detergent" and "If you cross me, here is how your life story will begin...Once upon a time...THE END!"

All in all a very solid first effort for Slaughterhouse. I'll reluctantly give their album 4 headphones as it was well on the way to a solid 4, but filler tracks and interludes cost them a shot at a borderline modern day Hip Hop classic.

Best Tracks from the album:

Slaughterhouse feat Kay Young - Lyrical Murderers Hot!!!

Slaughterhouse - Cuckoo (prod by DJ Khalil) Best beat!!

Bonus:

Joe Budden feat Slaughterhouse - We Outta Here Hotttt!!

EXTRA: Slaughterhouse Rules Video....hilarious.