Joell Ortiz & KXNG Crooked to Break Down the ‘Rise & Fall of Slaughterhouse’ On New Album

blame it on Shake February 24, 2022

Joell Ortiz and KXNG Crooked got something to say.

After teaming up in 2020 for their H.A.R.D. project, the Brooklyn-to-Long Beach connection continues with the duo looking to get some things off their chest with a follow-up album called The Rise and Fall of Slaughterhouse.

Wait… what?! Oh, yeah, we’re here for it.

Although it’s been eight years since Slaughterhouse released a project together, it hasn’t stopped fans from wondering what exactly happened to one of the most formidable rap groups in modern history. And while each member has gone on to succeed through various avenues, the fact that we’ll probably never get to hear Glass House (the group’s third album that never saw the light of day) or that new music from the four will never happen again is quite unfortunate.

What’s done is done, though. And with the release of The Rise and Fall of Slaughterhouse on the horizon, Joell and Crook waste no time getting into it with the album’s first single, “Vacancy.”

“Damn, where did time go/ Slaughterhouse been apart like nine yo,” Joell raps. “You asked why though, I wish I had them answers but I don’t/ Just know that picture they’ll never resume/ Emails, phone, calls and zoom/ Still not enough to get us all in a room/ Royce said he ain’t doing the three man without Joe/ But Joe said he retired so how the hell is supposed to go/ I looked in the eyes of Crooked I and said one last time he said let’s go/ So this one’s for the fans and anyone else who wants to know/ Why the best group ever/ Turned out to be one of the best groups that never/ Got back to the sun after the Shady era/ Shit, Paul wasn’t on his best behavior/ And Joe’s comments about Em left no revival for major endeavors.”

Press play on the official music video for “Vacancy” below and be on the lookout for more information regarding the album.

[embedded content]

Oh, and just because Slaughterhouse is no more, that didn’t stop three of the members from staying busy. Since the split, Royce 5’9 went on what is arguably the best run of his career with his Layers, Book of Ryan and The Allegory campaigns, Joell didn’t lose a step as he dropped a handful of projects of his own (“House Slippers, HUMAN, Mona Lisa and Monday/ H.A.R.D, Gorilla Glue, yo Fred will laugh again one day”) and Crook remained sharp as he’s always been with projects like Statik KXNG (with Statik Selektah) and his Good vs Evil set.