It’s hard to find a pocket of Hip Hop that Joell Ortiz isn’t palatable in. The Brooklyn native supplies bars of complicated rhyme patterns to those still in the market for them, and he has the charisma to comfortably chart a single or at least drop a song-stealing 16 on someone else’s (the release of title track “House Slippers” came in tandem with an unofficial remix of “Pills N Potions”). But what makes Ortiz particularly likable is his narrative’s transparency. Even casual listeners remember that his son has asthma, while the more dedicated followers have been privy to his volatile shuffle between Aftermath, Koch/E1 and (as a member of Slaughterhouse) Shady Records. House Slippers has a palpable premise in earning closure and finding a comfort zone after years of being at the mercy of the industry.
For the most part, the project delivers. Ortiz’s third full-length maintains dense rhyme schemes and candid stories from start to finish, and aside from a few failed experiments at the bigger records Ortiz has been hinting at for months, it doesn’t stray particularly far from previous material. But Ortiz’s crutch of rapping about how good he is at rapping consumes several tracks on House Slippers, and his obsession with channeling Golden Era Hip Hop is often paired with an unfitting beat. When the Slaughterhouse emcee commits to enjoying himself, it shows; when Hip Hop and New York are excessively sentimentalized, House Slippers feels heavy handed.
The former luckily outweighs the latter. “Get Down” finds Ortiz channeling Cool J lyrics and Jheri curls, smirking over scratches and a stripped down drum loop. “Dream On” strives to return to “The Fat Boys and Heavy D in ‘86 spittin’ free in the park,” and backed by sparse Jazz and a Premier-esque hook of samples, it makes a convincing case. And the gravitas of “Q&A” has him lacing Timbs and cracking knuckles while addressing a series of questions. “Let me tell y’all why I hit the tread / Wasn’t to lose weight and get this bread / Nah homie, you been mislead / Last year I shot a fair one with my nigga Fred / And damn near dropped dead, I should’ve won but I got whipped instead / I ain’t like that so I stopped that liquor to the head / Dropped the Newports / Copped new shorts and watched my figure shred,” he explains. Unfortunately, the intricate rhyme schemes Ortiz adopts aren’t always used to tell stories or offer anecdotes. The Slaughterhouse posse cut “Brothers Keeper” is memorable when Ortiz details split allegiances during a Joe Budden beef, or when Royce Da 5’9 imagines talking about alcoholism with his uncle in heaven. But the overwrought strings and operatic wails essentially sets up for five and a half minutes of rapping about how loyal the members of Slaughterhouse are to each other, complete with three separate Eminem name checks.
The project’s obvious crossover efforts are awkwardly spliced between the stronger tracks, hindering consistency with a “one for me, one for them” structure. The doleful stream of consciousness heard on the introductory “House Slippers” ends with a middle finger to the radio and a salute to Radio Raheem. The plush R&B hook of “Cold World” immediately follows it. “Dream On” comes before “Music Saved My Life,” a maudlin lead single with good intentions but predictable execution (at one point, Ortiz calls music his stepdad and says that he was raised by Stevie Wonder). An excellent sequence of “Say Yes,” “Better Than” and “Phone” ends with a cloying hook of “My honey bun, my sugar pie” on “Candy.” Both the production and thematic focus of House Slippers is unpredictable from track to track, and while that’s a testament to Ortiz’s versatility in the middle of the project, it makes for some awkward reaches in the beginning and end.
Still, House Slippers is a strong listen, and Joell Ortiz’s redemption story is easy enough to follow without falling victim to platitude. The radio efforts and the excessive Biggie Smalls interpolations create two hindering extremes, but the majority of the tracks that fall somewhere in the between are worth at least a few rotations.
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While I understand the dislike of the more R&B style hooks… This album to me is way more than a 3.5… Joell rapped his ass off on this & for those who weren’t familiar with him before, after this album they will be.
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2 words,Real Hip Hop!
LMFAOOOOO what?
Keeping it 100,album is not good at all. The beats on here are some of the worst I’ve heard. Brothers Keeper & the last song, not sure what its called off hand are ok, but the rest are really really bad. 2/5
Garbage ass album, Ortiz is corny like the whole slaughterhouse crew.
The review is on-point. When most rappers emerge onto the rap scene, they rap with a sense of urgency. In fact, that level of urgency is what hip-hop and life in the ‘hood is all about. However, after a couple of albums and success in the game, rappers tend to relax which affects their music. The Joell Ortiz that I dig is that dude who raps like his life depends on it. For the most part, that is missing on this album. In addition, the R&B songs are mediocre at best. That being said, the solid- to-good songs keep this album moving along. 3/5
Dude innovates
This was supposed to be at least a 4.5 .. I don’t get it this shit is solid … Get Down is an anthem Classic Joel keep doing you SMH
Sonically, nobody from slaughterhouse can make good music. They can spit, can’t make a good song for shit. Spitting bars on an instrumental doesn’t make it art.
This is true. And when they come together the result isn’t any better. Joell had it on his first album, but seems to be losing it. Slaughterhouse has stunted their growth as artists.
Good Albums by Slaughterhouse members:
Slaughterhouse-1st album
Royce- Death is certain, Rock city
Joel Ortiz-Brooklyn Bodega
They have all had dope mixtapes like the bar exam, slaughterhouse mixtapes,and Joe Buddens Mood music series.
I will agree that since signing to Shady records things have not been the same as a group or recent solo efforts
Beats were trash.. I’m sorry! I fucks with Joell but I was highly disappointed Why is he changing it up for? This not what I became a fan of. I’m sure the number will justify what I’m saying. All this Z100 Hip Hop is killing me already. Make raw shit and tour. Stop trying to make these corny ass radio songs. Nobody listens to the radio anymore.
sounds so corny
Another example of a rapper with skillz but doesnt know how to make an album. A rapalbum is more then rhymeskillz alone. These SL guys always disappoint me.
boring album…reviewer was being generous with 3.5 I like Brooklyn bodega better. This has crappy beats, dull rhymes, and overall it just feels hollow. Joell has had moments of great rhymes but he has fallen off
House shoes or House Slippers DX ?
can listen front to back without skipping anything, was very impressed with this album.. also sticking with the heatmakers as executive producers really made a cohesive consistent sound that matches Joell’s style very well.. top 3 albums to drop this year imo
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How can the DX staff give a credible review when the opening line is inaccurate…amateurs
Dope album don’t understand the low user rating
Dope album didn’t need the rnb joints whats the point Ortiz is never gonna sell big stick to straight hip hop.
Still cant believe they went with that cover art lmao did no one say that shit is wack as fuck. PPL sayin its not bout the art its bout the music should understand the cover can turn sumone off buying it n if its dope cover make sumone pick it up and that shit just makes it look bad overall
Very true. I can understand a “grown up” shot, but dude looks like he’s bent over with stomach cramps, needing to drop a load.
^^^ lmaooooooooooooo. i agree. the music is prob dope, but that cover is the running shits. the brick: bodega chronicles had a dope cover, idk y him or his manager would let this cover art and shitty microsoft paint font come out on his comeback album smh
You are all a bunch of sad sacks ooo I don’t like the album cover fucking pigeons
I buy almost everything except food and clothing from online auctions most people arent aware of the almost I unbelievable deals that they can get from online auction sites the site that has the best deals is
>>> W w w.Blazeidea.C0M
I checked with the BBB and was told that it is all legit. How they can sell gift cards, laptops, cameras, and all kinds of goodies that we all want for 50-90% off, I dont know I do know that I bought my son an ipad there for less than $100 and my husband a $250 Low gift cards for $48. Why would I even think about shopping anylace else ?
I buy almost everything except food and clothing from online auctions most people arent aware of the almost I unbelievable deals that they can get from online auction sites the site that has the best deals is
>>> W w w.Blazeidea,C0M
I checked with the BBB and was told that it is all legit. How they can sell gift cards, laptops, cameras, and all kinds of goodies that we all want for 50-90% off, I dont know I do know that I bought my son an ipad there for less than $100 and my husband a $250 Low gift cards for $48. Why would I even think about shopping anylace else ?
Why when you do grown up things people shoot you down. This album is for the mature hip hop heads, who just want to enjoy good music. I guess you have to kill someone last week.
Honestly I thought Joell put together a very good album. Raw lyricism, great story telling, hot beats n a lil bit of personality. House Slippers is easily one if the best albums of the year. Can’t wait for GLASS HOUSE!!!
dope album hands down for the hip hop purist
The thing with these slaughterhouse cats is they seem lyrical to the kids. But they on some wild layman rap. Joell always saying he wild nice, he’s not and never was.He OK at best. Only reason you might rewind his music cause you like the track, but his lyrics are basic and boring most of the time, this LP is for the 90’s babies.
you’re either a troll, or too much of a layman to get shit. pharoahe monch and nas know whats up, so that’s probably the case.
Probably supposed to be a 4 but the album cover took off 0.5
Smh…
I buy almost everything except food and clothing from online auctions most people arent aware of the almost I unbelievable deals that they can get from online auction sites the site that has the best deals is
>>> W w w.Blazeidea,C0M
I checked with the BBB and was told that it is all legit. How they can sell gift cards, laptops, cameras, and all kinds of goodies that we all want for 50-90% off, I dont know I do know that I bought my son an ipad there for less than $100 and my husband a $250 Low gift cards for $48. Why would I even think about shopping anylace else ?
Big Ortiz fan but this album is very weak.
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The reason why releasing album covers is such a big deal these days is because album covers are important in terms of branding, perception, expectation, and most of all, identifying with an artist. This album is okay. If it was branded a little better, maybe it would digest better than okay. Ortiz recently came out, talking about his disappointment over Free Agent. Something tells me he will be saying the same about this project, not just because of the artwork, but the production as well. I pre-ordered this on iTunes, only to be disappointed, and Joell is my dude, so I’m partial in dude’s favor from the jump.
real talk.
Nigga’s cover belongs in a JC Penny’s ad. The album had some nice tracks but also some wack shit because of weak production or shitty singing. I fuck with the East Coast boom bap shit so I was surprised he used amateur sounding beats that sounded like they were trying to mimic that style but modernize it a bit and it just didn’t gel right in my mind. As for the singing, Molly Stakz is a wack and sounds like he uses autotune. He belongs on some weak nigga’s album like 2 Chainz, not Joell.
album cover looks like he is taking a shit.
I would shit on you’re chest if you like
that would be nice. Can we meet?
This is only suited for the YMCMB page, guys
Maybe he can he re-release the album with a different cover
I make up to $90 an hour working from my home. My story is that I quit working at Walmart to work online and with a little effort I easily bring in around $40h to $86h Someone was good to me by sharing this link with me, so now i am hoping i could help someone else out there by sharing this link…
Try it, you won’t regret it!..
====================
http://WWW.PAYGAZETTE.COM
============================
Weirdos complaining about the album cover . It’s called “House Slippers” “Not Get Your Guns” it’s supposed to be simple .
If you want a sparkly album cover go buy Mariah Carey “Glitter” you simple minded cornballs will love it .LOL
Very true the majority visitors to this site according to Quantcast are aged between 28 -35 it’s like this site is infested with man boys who refuse to grow up . I thought it was only teenagers who brought albums with pretty pictures or because it had some make believe thug rapper in ski masks holding guns that they would never be stupid enough to use
nah a cover is part of the project. of course having a wack cover is better than having a wack album. its not everything, but having a decent cover w/ a dope album is better than having a wack cover w/ a dope album. illmatic would always be illmatic. but you can’t say its cover didn’t add impact. Besides, house slipper’s concept is fine, its the quality thats lacking.
everyones laughin at the cover art cuz it looks like someone did it in microsoft paint. ortiz music is dope, but that cover shits on the body of work unfortunatly
For real, I could of made a better album cover using microsoft paint in the 90’s
JCPenny catalog looking album ass nigga. This shit is wack.
Real Hip hop..
Real hiphop? Tell me why? Its a decent attemp but nothing more! You want real hiphop then listen to 80/90’shiphop
Albumcover is wack. He should have some guns and bricks of cocaine to make it hardcore. Albumcover looks like some rnb dude’s album
grow up
that comment was dumb but hes rite, the album cover should have used more creativity in it to reflect ortizs music,
much respect but the cover is trash. wtf is that a sean Hannity pose. although some rappers want to get touchy feely, as fans we want things slaughtered. ever since shady yall been reaching for a bigger base and have missed the mark. make classics
Aside from being crouched over like he’s taking a dump, his facial expression appears like he has no friends. I respect the fact that he’s grown up and all, but trading your timbs for house slippers may be a bit premature in your career as of today.
word, guy looks like he responds to an “k” text with 8 other messages.
I don’t know why these Slaughterhouse niggas think the only way to see residuals from their album efforts is to pander to fat bitches that hum Elle Varner songs to theyselves in the mirror n’ shit.
Stupid.
Oh and this album is wack af.
where brookyn at?
Brooklyn died in 1997
damn, that was cold
that was cold but the truth since big aint here hiphop sucks. I miss big, big l and pun. that are mc’s
where. broooklyn. at?
It’s not on this album.
da brooklyn da brooklyn da brooklyn
The album cover is kind of whack, but I don’t really care. I came for the music, which is dope. Joell Ortiz is a great emcee. Never heard of him until that first Slaughterhouse album and I’m def glad I found his music.
Was not impressed by his previous shit but this is an Amazing album , really blown away by this , no skip tracks , great production & great substance matter
skillz but boring as fuck. Seems like lyrical rappers are not entertainers and thats whats music is about: FUCKIN ENTERTAINMENT. Within a month everbody is forgotten about this release.
U MUST BE A POP RAP FAN “ENTERTAINMENT” REALLY, THIS IS GROWN MAN SHIT,LYRICAL BEAST MODE STILL APPARENT IN JOELL’S EXCELLENT DELIVERY, BEATZ ON POINT, HOOKS ON POINT, MAN FUK THIS… GROWN, YOUNG, FUKIN BABY AGE.. SHIT IT DONT MATTER U SERIOUSLY STUPID RETARTED N SMOKING CRACK LACED GREENERY DIPPED IN DOG SHIT TO NOT RESPECT DA WRK THIS DUDE JUST BLESSED U WIT. ITS APPARENT UR A DISGRACE TO UR GENERATION..
@BRONX NY
You’re an idiot, for not comprehending what dude really said. Basically it means, you can be lyrical as fuck and still have a very entertaining album/songs. Since it seems to be so Shady affiliated, case in point; Eminem, there’s no doubt he’s lyrical as fuck and yet he still maintains the entertainment aspect of music. Jay-Z has done this, 50 has done this (in his prime) and so on. You gettin’ all crazy over a simple statement, nobody said being a lyrical MC is garbage and not worth listening to, it’s being said that for the majority of these artists, they lack the skills to be lyrical AND entertaining which is the ultimate result in making the BEST music possible. Dumb ass motherfuckers man.. How can you manage to use the fuckin’ internet well enough to reply with a dumb ass comment but not understand a simple statement that your dumb ass comment is going at?? Somebody need to take your 8+ Vtech kids tablet away until you re-learn life thoo..
How could not like this album with such an artistic album cover.
I like it
Don’t judge a book by its cover.. This is hip hop. This is raw lyrics ,this is story telling, this is east coast god damn bloggers lol #yaowaaaa great album.
If it was 1994 this album would have been mediocre! Conclusion: NYC rap still sucks. Ill matic and RTD shit on Ortiz album.
Guess you haven’t heard Barrel Brothers by Skyzoo & Torae then..
album is dope.
Dope lp.
Music changes everything. What is the New York sound?
hip hop beats and instrumentals
I’m going to def get this album. I know Joell will delivery. This album will hold me over untill SH album drops and Yelawolfs.
where brooklyn at?
I give the album a B 86%. The album is pretty good. It has it’s flaws with lack of hooks from Ortiz that pull you in. His verses and performance is stellar. Candy is the weakest song and very corny. Other than that there isn’t many flaws it’s an above average release. He is an ok songwriter. But he is best on the verses. Music Saved My Life and Phone are the stand outs. Phone is an A++++ he tells a hell of a story of a man going through his girls phone and committing suicide after he found out his girl was having an affair. Overall the new release is cool!
yeah that phone track was dope
REAL RAP (point) .
trash no drake no rap album
Get the fuck off wit ur commercial rapper homes
good album, last tracks a banger
man that cover is horrendous
This shit went hard as fuck
Keep it up joell!