Music Review: Slaughterhouse – House Rules

Slaughterhouse, as a rap “super group”, has been sort of hit-or-miss. There was much to be ecstatic about when they first dropped on the scene with their self-titled debut album. Yet, after having previously released a pretty good mixtape, Welcome To: Our House was too much of a mixed bag of influences for many listeners. Also, it was not a commercially viable album (selling under 200,000 copies). Now, they have released a mixtape to show where their heads are at.

If House Rules gives any indication, then listeners either need to be heavily satisfied or heavily worried. This mixtape almost seems like it took a page from Joe Budden and went full “mood music” mode.

The great thing to take away from this situation is that, above all, the lyrics remain potent as ever. The one emcee that truly shines on this EP is Crooked I. On the ubiquitous “Say That Then”, he starts the song off with a relentless barrage of lyrics:

Well let me say it without worrying if my label OK it

When Weapon Waist wildin out, man give him room

Used to have skeletons in my closet, but now they sit in my living room

Octomom, I picture putting more niggas in a hole than that bitches womb

The street sweeper’s the wicked witches broom

A silver spoon, I never had it

I grew up mad at Anne Frank, cause the bitch lived in a better attic

(Say dat then)

I seen my share of static, they say that it made me charismatic

Born leader who was born Libra in a foreign two seater with a porn diva

Blowin reefer and pouring liters of vodka

Cause the feds freezing a nigga bread

I’m drinking thinking they gon’ seize me even when I’m dead (Fuck ’em)

This is not taking anything away from other lyricists, however. Joell Ortiz goes in on the “!llmind Interlude”, Royce Da 5’9 made “Keep it 100” a song of utter honesty, and Joe Budden goes for self on “Trade It All” with his emotions fully in tow. Thus, the lyricism is on full display from all of the artists of Slaughterhouse.

Yet, the meaningfulness of this “House Rules” mixtape can throw people off. “Trade It All” comes with the R&B chorus and moody production from 8 Bars & Dark Knight. The lengthy track “Off Shore” is 9 minutes and 36 seconds of soul bearing lyrics over moody, emotional production from DJ Pain 1. This is not a bad thing if meaningful songs are the desired. However, the entire theme of the album will throw those that looked for “ripped mics and extra bars of metaphors and similes” disappointed.

House Rules is a very deep, poignant mixtape from a crew of lyrically agile emcees. They make great use of their time to put their problems down on the mic. It almost seems like a therapy session on wax. Whether or not you will like the mixtape depends on what you want to hear from them. Still, listeners cannot help but applaud them for making a mixtape that is full of meaning and devoid of crap music. That, in itself, should be highlighted in the house rules.