Fair or not, the story of Slaughterhouse will likely be one of expectations. From Joe Budden’s initial Top 40 success, Crooked I’s infusion of talent into a crumbling Death Row dynasty and Royce Da 5’9 and Joell Ortiz’s Aftermath/Shady affiliations, each member has been burdened by the assumption of cashing in on a combination of both raw talent and mainstream appeal. Cementing a 2011 partnership with Eminem’s rebooted Shady imprint (and the backing of Interscope) hasn’t exactly tempered such expectations, and it’s hard to shake the feeling everyone was paying more attention to the 52,000 units of Welcome To: Our House the quartet sold during their first week of release than their actual rhymes.
Slaughterhouse ditched the barcode and shirked the duty of attempting to appeal to the terrestrial radio crowd by releasing the 10-track mixtape House Rules via DatPiff.com. The result is a more concise, cohesive effort showcasing the attributes that initially made a group album headlined by Royce, Budden, Ortiz and Crooked so appealing. Whereas previous songs sometimes came across as a fan referendum on which member could consistently meet or exceed their solo body of work, House Rules is both entertaining and brutally honest in its self-awareness. Joell describes himself as a “rough New Yorker fuckin’ bitches that only listen to Drake,” and Royce jokes about how their intro is “about nothing.” It’s arguably one the most candid Slaughterhouse moments finding the foursome coming to terms with their standing as survivors of a bygone era where punchline-laden raps about how well you rapped were the rule and not the exception. The fact they’ve evolved past rapping for the sake of rapping is on full display, with Budden, Royce and Crooked I taking solo turns on “Trade It All,” “Keep It 100” and “Struggle.”
Each member’s respective style still seemingly plays better against anthemic tracks, with the 8 Bars and Dark Knight-produced “Trade It All” being one of the few exceptions. Joe is in full Mood Muzik mode, with Emanny sounding shoehorned into a ballad. It’s not a bad song, but somewhat of a curious choice given the contrast in styles. It’s a testament to just how far each member, particularly Budden, has grown as a songwriter.
Elsewhere, the guys are tackling sobriety and family matters, with Budden speaking on an ailing grandfather and the tension stemming from everyone—including his entire listening audience—knowing the inevitable outcome on “SayDatThen.” Crooked I effectively mixes his trademark plays on words (“I’m Dominick Whitcliffe, I’m James’ son / Even though he wore a condom, I busted through / And I can’t forget where I came from…”) with a disapproving summary of Rap in 2014 and some shots at V. Stiviano for good measure.
At this point, hearing Royce Da 5’9, Crooked I, Joe Budden and Joell Ortiz successfully play to their strengths without being forced on a song with Skylar Grey isn’t surprising. So House Rules is the audio equivalent of the Jeopardy! answer clue to a series of unknown questions. Is the industry in a place where it matters that these guys can still rap their asses off? Will they be given the creative control to do so, or will the nature of their Shady partnership mean attempting to employ their considerable skills in the service of trying to make a hit? Until the next retail album, the questions and expectations still remain unanswered. In the meantime, fans can enjoy a damn good mixtape.
This review has been corrected to reflect the song “Trade It All” features Emanny. A previous version credited Ne-Yo as the featured artist.
crooked bars get a 5 alone
Suckers like to follow trends and Slaughterhouse isn’t a trend they’re a movement and in a movement you gotta be real and committed. 5/5
GREAT
4 stars, really? the production is horrible.
Better than anything on “Wackaine Pinata”, though. 3/5 for beats and 4/5 for verses.
I liked the production from both those albums.
With “House Rules,” the respective members of Slaughterhouse showcase improved songwriting ability and fleshed-out songs as opposed to out-rapping each other.
So after 14 years in the game they improved songwritingability’s ?????????
DOPE
DX Trade It All features Emmany you could atleast give him a honourable mention considering he & Joey are SLV
There still rapping to don’t get it twisted
Bad production? Really? You haters need to find something else this time.. 4/5 easily
I enjoyed this. “SayDatThen” was my favorite thus far. Compromises have to be made by all of them individually for Slaughterhouse to work. They all do a good job of making it happen.
Cmon it’s wickcliffe!!!!!!
Em, drake,3 stacks and Jay z versus will solidify them and boost sales past platinum with this same format. Give them features on this album and they will be good forever
D12 is way better
D.K Feat Slaughterhouse & D12 – Beat Goes On ….cry the fuck outta here hater…
Fuck you
lets go
I’m giving this 1 star because of how annoying this groups fan base is. Why ya’ll so sensitive? Lol
Cause you are lame
aint seen a single ounce of sensitivity in the comment section. u just lookn for a reason to hate
1 star trash!!!!
mixtape of the year
Nice to hear some REAL rap
Their best work by far
Anything featuring crooked I is dope…
5, by far their best work to date. Seems like they save their best work for mixtapes.
these dudes go in every time. say dat den is my favorite joint on this one
Disagree with all the love in here, I’m not feeling this, first of all they continue to pick wack beats, they also still seem to be stuck in the phase of trying to hard instead of letting it come naturally. Joe has become a true Emo girly song maker & that shit hurts to say because I love that dude. Royce has that great rhyme pattern but it never delivers, he gets so caught up in that pattern that he isn’t actually rhyming words anymore. Joell has come a long way but is still too corny & he likes being corny. Crooked is Fire but he is letting himself fall victim to just rhyming things sometime & it either sounds dragged out of just awkward. I really hope the album is better but after the last album & 2 mixtapes I’m just saddened more than anything. These dudes are my favorite & keep letting me down with subpar shit. It’s a 3/5 cause that’s what I give a decent album/mixtape. Having said all of this I was still bumping it last night.
this is the first piece of music i “rewinded” in a very long time….. with that said it looks like they let Joe take the lead in creating this mixtape. its sounds part of the mood muzik series which is a good thing…ALSO Crooked I gets MVP on this one
Why is this the only mixtape that gets a rating out of five?
Mac Miller’s also has a rating
will they ever make a album better then there mix tapes ??? diggin this one
one of my favorite projects this year
really dope
This mixtape was dope. I think its actually there best work to date. it should have been an official album. But to be honest I’m bumpingthis undergorund artist named Gil Thompson. his album is incredible! Peep it here —->https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Falbum%2Fbreaking-down-barriers%2Fid880645599&h=uAQHzf66S
Oh let me guess Gil THompson is you? Seriously stop using other people’s reviews to promote your garbage!!!!Gil Thompson sucks, dont check this clown out!!
Amazing mixtape should have been an album. Definitely their best work yet.
Their best work was their 1st album, not sure how any of you can say anything they have done is better than that.
This mixtape is one of slaughterhouses best projects out cant wait for that album drop but hopefully interscope will stay the hell out of it this time.
Shady vs Everybody
these beats are corny.. hella 80s sounding synths with over the top drums… beat from nottz is an 8bar loop for 6minutes? i dont get it sounds like dipset and that shit is played out par
This is what real Hip Hop sounds like
Pretty good
AWFUL !!! SO IS THE COVERS ITS AWFUUUUULLL WANT A REAL ALBUM: MASTERMIND (RICK ROSS)
You lost
I’m happy to see they getting love FINALLY, dudes deserve it. I kinda agree with the beats part, they need to pick their beats better. Anyway, mixtape was fire! I love their last album, don’t care what everybody says, I been a fan since day one, always will support them! They’re one of the best things we have in Hip Hop right now !
These guys are dope as they always are on the mic, but as usual the beats are weak as hell. They need to get some better production.
Great Mixtape, looking forward to upcoming album!
Cmon DX. you guys have literally THE worst reviews. I listen to all HIp Hop. but this is not a 4 star album. You gave this more stars than the new Atmosphere album. Cmon. clearly not nearly as much thought went into this project as other good albums. The beats are mostly cheesy and sound the same as all the other beats people use nowadays. These are from beatmakers, not producers. Mass made garbage. I mean you gave the new vanderslice album 4 stars. Its jsut a bunch of beats thrown on the same CD. (and I am a huge Vanderslice fan) but there is no way It deserved a better rating than say, the new Grieves album. Geez get your shit together. You guys are failing. I mean the new Eminem got at least 4 stars here and that was straight junk.
Seriously Erok..grow a brain…Slaughterhouse are the best group in hip hop currently..how old are you? ..12?nobody wanna hear Vanderslice…jog on..THE HOUSE RULEZ!!!
#TeamSHADY #HouseRules
Honestly erok I will agree Atmosphere is dope but the energy and punchlines from the House are untouchable you should remove your post if possible
Thank god for somebody having a mind of his own.
Finally something good this year!!
Not very good, it’s all over the place, hooks are very wack & beats are lacking, as usual only the actual verses are good, what a huge disappointment.
Slaughterhouse House Rules mixtape review http://wp.me/p4e2Kr-xM via @CatchABodyMag
4 star mixtape, not as good as the first but still really solid.
Sick mickstayp.
dope
Intentionally dumbed down pre-album mixtape
dope mixtape via S.Africa
dope
It’s really hard to decide in order who goes the hardest from Slaughter House. They have such a great balance that no one really out does the other. House Rules they all have their own personal tracks as well to vent. This is a solid mix tape on so many levels. You know one of the best things about Slaughter House is they are always trying to step up their game even after dropping some of the most lyrical music in the industry. 5/5
This shit is wack as hell.
Who gives a f&@ about the beats and the hooks!!! That’s what pisses me off about Rap at the moment. I wanna hear lyricism and Slaughterhouse do just that
dumbass! Making great music is a combination of beats, lyrics and hooks.
Music is subjective.
Crooked I is the illest
5/5
Just glad to see hiphop still lives!
Best MCs out there
I agree best lyricist in the game
beats are wack. they should do an album with DJ mUstard or Lex Lugar
Cant wait for their next album
Glass House!
Hey man this is the project of the year so far for me. I don’t know if these people under me are trolls or kids. I understand not everybody’s mind is developed enough to understand how personal and honest this is. On top of that the production is impeccable and to hear lyrics you can relate to. Fuckkkk this in my opinion is flawless at 10 tracks. It’s filler free and its their best project and i loved the first album.
Totally agree with you Polo Hova!
The project was really good. But, I don’t know why I enjoyed more the solo tracks more than the group ones. My favorite songs: Struggle, SayDatThen and Keep it 100
shit is dope
This is actually incredible. Anybody who says the production is weak NEEDS TO CHECK THEIR EARS. This is the exact project I wanted to hear from Slaughterhouse. Offshore and Struggle take the cake…
How could you not like this Album probably the best lyricist in the game all in one group. They def deserve more credit but i guess alota listeners are deaf and jus dont get it. 4stars
pretty dope tape. i think say dat den is the best track, hard to decide though. these dudes stay beastin
3.5
ppl def overhyping this mixtape. its decent but not all that. Royce impressed me, but the others sounded average. Joell owes royalties to conceited; “I’m killing time till the album drop, slow that down i just dissed you, its killing time when the album drop”…yawn lol
Yo this review is ass. If you miss the bigger picture behind this mixtape, then you should just stick to being a listener. Don’t try to become a critic.
Thank you. These the same people who think Drake the best rapper in the industry lol….. #HouseRules #ShadyRecords
dope mixtape, a little slow but still good
fire
Possibly mixtape of the year so far!! The album is overwhelmingly flooding with lyrical potency. Every track has something worth listening too. House Rules is for the rap/hiphop fan that gets tired of catchy repetitive radio singles and whats to hear MC’s ripped thru beats with sharp witty swipes of the swords. this mixtape is filled with the essence that’s missing in the rap game
Great tape. Vicious bars all the way. Really glad they took a different direction to Welcome To:Our House. Very good. HipHopDX are known to be fan pleasers, Drake can fart a whole tape theyll give it a 5. gtoh
I found a great piece about 2014’s Hip Hop albums here: http://cannobre.wordpress.com/2014/06/17/2014-yari-yil-hip-hop-panoramasi/
Awesome tape
crooked i is dope
This mixtape would be worth paying for. 5/5
this is an A-Grade mixtape only a few tracks held it back
worldy armand aka linday lohan the amount I want to build back up with $4 billon