Released after the announcement that they had signed with Shady,
Eminem’s record label, the
Slaughterhouse EP has “contractual obligation” written all over it. Fortunately, the superstar street crew (
Crooked I,
Joell Ortiz,
Royce da 5'9", and
Joe Budden) make integrity a top priority, so this odds-and-ends escape route is still satisfying as long as fans consider it a sideline release. The opening “Back on the Scene” is grand enough to kick off an album, but here it leads into a preview of what might be as the
Mr. Porter -- as in
Eminem’s hype man -- production “Sun Doobie” kicks hard with its
Dr. Dre-influenced production. After “Everybody Down” (“I’m all about my business/You all about your bitchness”) lays out some wonderfully crooked soul from Detroit-based producer
Black Milk, it’s on to the remixes, including one of
Joell Ortiz’s solo cuts, “Put Some Money on It,” which features the great punch line “I'm on BET more than Leprechaun 3.” Earn your “hardcore fan” status by checking their debut, and then head back here if
Slaughterhouse have made it into your Top Ten. ~ David Jeffries