«Attach your fucking names to those blogs,» Joe Budden demanded last night after listening session host Sway told him journalists in the Sirius XM studio planned to recap their thoughts on his group Slaughterhouse’s forthcoming album, Welcome to: Our House (out Aug. 28). «Don’t be all discreet,» he continued.
Their label boss and rap great Eminem, who mixed and co-produced almost every song on the album, joined Joe and the rest to support. «I feel like hip-hop needs this,» he said. He also explained that this album is more than a bunch of lyrical guys randomly rapping their asses off. It’s structured, with more conceptual records. «It’s competitive, but it’s about making a song,» Em said.
His assessment holds true. Our House is a solid album, touching on topics more varied than listeners have come to expect from the foursome. Each member opens up tremendously, revealing emotions and delving into issues they’ve rarely touched on—deaths in the family, tabloid rumors, life’s adversity. Continue reading for our notes on each song and details on who produced what.
«Our House» f/ Eminem
Producer: Alex Da Kid
This dramatic opener features Eminem and finds him pleading with the man above for a little more muscle for his struggles. «God, if you’re listening,» Em starts, «give me the strength to beat all competition.»
«Coffin» f/ Busta Rhymes
Producer: Hit-Boy
Busta Rhymes makes a loud appearance on this cut. Over a menacing beat, he handles the hook: «You know what it is/’Cause we do it often/Caught another body/Buy another coffin.»
«Throw That» f/ Eminem
Producer: T-Minus
Eminem makes his second and last feature here. On a bouncy, club-ready beat, Em, encouraged by a stripper’s «child-bearing hips,» tells her that he’ll «throw this dick on you, girl.»
«Hammer Dance»
Producer: AraabMuuzik
The album’s lead single is meant to get the party started, but trust, when they’re talking hammers, they mean weapons, not tools.
«Get Up»
Producer: No I.D.
This one’s about recovering from defeat. «This is how we’re attacking it, four rappers that’s passionate,» Crooked I raps.
«My Life» f/ Cee-Lo
Producer: STREETRUNNER & Raymond «SAROM» Diaz
With Cee-Lo cursing on the hook, the album’s next single is about each man taking control of their «motherfucking life.»
«Flip A Bird»
Producer: Black Key Beats and Zukhan
This one samples Imogen Heap’s «Little Bird.» The fellas air out their frustrations on several topics. Crooked I is especially vocal here. He suggests that DJ Vlad exploited his alleged shooting incident for «pageviews.»
«We Did It» (Skit)
Producer: Eminem
Here, over what sounds like a needle running over vinyl, the guys simply talk shit about how they’re going to grind until the wheels fall off.
«Throw It Away» f/ Swizz Beatz
Producer: Mr. Porter
Swizz Beatz makes an appearance on this banger about blowing cash fast. «You know I ain’t Bill Gates, honey,» he yells on the hook. «I’ma act like I never had money!»
«Rescue Me» f/ Skylar Grey
Producer: Alex Da Kid
The guys get particularly introspective here. Skylar Grey asks, «Can you rescue me?» on the chorus. Apparently, «her ship is sinking.»
«Frat House»
Producer: T-Minus
«Blowjobs are like flowers for men,» Joell Ortiz confesses on this song. On the hook, they list pills, liquor, and weed as goodies one might encounter at a frat house.
«Goodbye»
Producer: Boi-1da
This emotional record is about the guys losing important people in their lives. Crooked I talks about losing his uncle to cancer. Joe Budden goes in about losing his twins to a miscarriage.
«Park It Sideways»
Producer: Kane Beatz
The guys stunt on this record, with Joe Budden boasting that «head ain’t even fun no more unless it’s two of ’em.»
«Die»
Producer: Mr. Porter
Slaughterhouse threatens to shoot anything in their way, claiming to have guns that pop with Ray Allen-like precision. Joe Budden plans to put «new bodies on his old heater.»
«Our Way»
Producer: Boi-1da
On the closer, the crew reflects on their accomplishments. Being proud that they’ve achieved so much without compromising themselves is the dominant theme.
