joell ortiz

Slaughterhouse: Where Are They Now?

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Slaughterhouse was a rap supergroup composed of four highly lyrical solo acts who, despite their elite penmanship, had each struggled against music industry politics. The four artists, Joe Budden, Royce Da 5’9″, Joell Ortiz, and Kxng Crooked (formerly Crooked I), first linked up in 2008 for a posse cut on Joe Budden’s album Halfway House. After releasing a cult classic debut record and signing to a major label, the group never reached their true potential.

These days, Slaughterhouse is regarded as one of hip hop’s biggest “what ifs.” Despite their struggles as a group, all four have gone on to find success in the years since they disbanded. While none of the artists have reached household name status, they are all still active today.

Joe Budden

Joe Budden is the artist most credited with forming Slaughterhouse in 2008. Conversely, the rapper-turned-podcaster is also largely to blame for the group’s falling out. Budden retired from rapping in 2016 after releasing his eighth and final solo album, Rage and the Machine. Since then, Budden has become a full-time podcaster, hosting one of the most well-known and successful hip hop-centric podcasts on the web.

The Joe Budden Podcast has been a source of endless controversy, media takes, and rap beef. This includes a tumultuous 2021 split between Budden and his long-time co-hosts Rory and Mal. Most recently, Budden has found new co-hosts, a new venue, and ignited new beefs on the platform with figures like NBA YoungBoy. While Budden’s abrasive personality and no-holds-barred attitude may have prevented him from forming lasting relationships in the music scene, it certainly makes for excellent podcast content.

Royce Da 5’9″

Royce Da 5’9″ is likely the most well-known member of Slaughterhouse for his rapping ability. The long-time Eminem collaborator has released eight solo albums, as well as a flurry of mixtapes and collaborative efforts. His most recent outing is 2020’s The Allegory, which showcases the rapper’s newfound beat-making capability. While The Allegory was hailed for its creative production choices, intricate rhyme patterns, and thoughtful compositions, the album came under fire for several anti-vax lyrics.

Like his former Slaughterhouse peer Joe Budden, Royce started a podcast in 2020 with co-host Lupe Fiasco. Unfortunately, the pod concluded following just 45 episodes after the pair became embroiled in a rap feud. Royce has been criticized for his handling of the beef, refusing to properly respond to Lupe Fiasco’s devastating diss tracks. While Royce Da 5’9″ continues to rap to this day, no new projects have been announced since The Allegory.

Joell Ortiz

Arguably the most underrated of the bunch, Joell Ortiz has largely managed to sidestep beef throughout much of his career. The former Slaughterhouse artist has had a prolific run since the group split up, collaborating on full-length LPs with producers such as Illmind, Apollo Brown, The Heatmakerz, and L’Orange. Joell has also collaborated on a series of joint projects with his Slaughterhouse associate, Kxng Crooked. The most recent project between the duo, Prosper, premiered on streaming in October 2023.

Joell Ortiz and Kxng Crooked sparked beef with their former collaborators in 2022 after releasing the album The Rise & Fall of Slaughterhouse. Apparently, the quartet had been planning a reunion album behind the scenes for some time when the album was released without the prior knowledge or participation of Royce Da 5’9″ or Joe Budden. According to Crook and Joell, Budden refused to agree to the terms of any deal they presented. Likewise, Royce refused to do an album without Joe. As a result, Crook and Joell released The Rise & Fall of Slaughterhouse as a duo, officially vowing never to return to the band again.

Kxng Crooked

Kxng Crooked has one of the most fascinating backstories in all of hip hop. The Long Beach, California native was first signed to Death Row Records in his youth. His first solo ventures with the label were shelved indefinitely due to industry politics and Suge Knight’s legal troubles. The rapper was also instrumental in arranging the posse cut with Joe Budden, eventually forming Slaughterhouse. Crooked was the first member to officially announce his departure from the rap supergroup in 2018.

In recent years, Kxng Crooked has announced plans to release a final solo album before retiring from hip hop. No specifics regarding the rumored release have been confirmed at this time. While working on the farewell album, Kxng Crooked was approached by Joell Ortiz with plans to make a series of duo albums with one another, resulting in four full-length LPs since 2020. Crooked has cited his partnership with Joell as a reinvigoration of his sound, resulting in him postponing his retirement.

[Via]

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Apollo Brown And Joell Ortiz Are All “About It,” New Album Also On The Way

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Detroit and Brooklyn’s underground legends are joining forces once again. Apollo Brown and Joell Ortiz are very familiar with each other, making for a flawless return with a brand-new cut. This time, it looks to be appearing on a forthcoming LP. The last point at which we heard something from the East Coast duo came back on November 19, 2021. Both we on the track “Bobby Bonilla.” That was on Apollo and Stalley’s collaborative tape, Blacklight. However, that is just the tip of the iceberg for these two. Joell and Brown have a full LP from 2018 called Mona Lisa.

It was a cutthroat 11-song record released back on October 26, almost five years ago to the day. It was a tight 36-minute listen with just two features from Royce da 5’9″ and DJ Los. The latter landed on “Grace of God” and Royce was a part of Timberlan’d Up.” Now, it looks like Joell and Brown are ready to revive their work with an update to this project very soon.

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Listen To “About It” From Apollo Brown And Joell Ortiz

According to Genius, Mona Lisa – 5th Anniversary Edition is expected to be out on November 24. In addition to that news, the supposed tracklist is also on the annotation as well. As of now, there are two new tracks tacked on to the original. “About It,” which is out as of today, November 2, and “Master Peace.” Give the new track a listen above.

What are your initial thoughts on this brand-new lead single from Apollo Brown and Joell Ortiz, “About It?” Are you excited for an anniversary edition of their Mona Lisa record? Did you enjoy the original version? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around Apollo Brown and Joell Ortiz, as well as all of the hottest song drops.

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Joell Ortiz: Resilience & Rhyme In Music

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A lyrical powerhouse was stirring beneath the formidable shadow of Brooklyn. Joell Ortiz came up in the Cooper Projects, dominated by hardened concrete and even more set realities. Yet, these stoic confines were to become the incubator for one of Hip Hop’s most adroit lyricists. Life in Brooklyn taught Ortiz many things, and survival was top of the list. Inspired by this rough-and-tumble environment, he began painting his experiences lyrically. Ortiz’s raw street narratives fused with intricate wordplay caught attention and won him the EA Sports Battle tournament in 2004. This victory was a beacon that illuminated his path, guiding him from the projects to the world of pen and mic.

The Slaughterhouse Connection

NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 10: Slaughterhouse at John Ricard Studio on August 28, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by John Ricard/Getty Images)

When your verses drip with intensity, other lyrical masters can’t help but take notice. The late 2000s also brought together Joell Ortiz, Royce da 5’9″, Kxng Crooked, and Joe Budden under one roof. It was here that Slaughterhouse was born. The collective’s synergy was as explosive as it was dynamic, cementing their position in Hip Hop’s pantheon of greats.

While Slaughterhouse was an exercise in collaborative genius, Ortiz also proved his mettle in the solitary spotlight. His debut album, The Brick: Bodega Chronicles in 2007, wove together the threads of his early life. It was an introduction that resonated with listeners, a voice that demanded to be heard.

Metamorphosis Of A Master

From his first foray into Hip Hop to recent projects like 2021’s Autograph to the collaborative Harbor City Season One with Crook the following year, Ortiz’s evolution is a story of persistence and passion. Further, his lyrical landscapes over the years reveal an acute sensitivity to its rhythm and rhyme. It’s no wonder that Ortiz’s name frequently graces conversations about skilled rappers of the era.

Above all, Joell Ortiz advocates authenticity in an industry that often leans towards theatrics. He remains true to his roots, weaving his narratives around the realities of life—beauty and brutality. This commitment to honesty has created a connection with fans transcending beats and bars.

Shattering The Sound Barrier

Ortiz’s discography is as varied as it is vast, spanning across solo albums, collaborative projects, mixtapes, and EPs. Albums like Free Agent (2011) and House Slippers (2014) solidified his position as a tour de force in the rap industry. His lyrical expertise, paired with his ability to choose beats that flawlessly complemented his narratives, allowed Ortiz to create impactful soundscapes.

With every beat, verse, and rhyme, Joell Ortiz continues to write his story, etching his narrative into the annals of Hip Hop history. Recently, he announced his forthcoming collaborative project, Signature, alongside L’Orange. Fans anticipate what to expect as the artists drop their lead single, “OG.” Check that out above, and let us know your favorite bars from Joell Ortiz.

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