The state of New York rap has been in flux. The birthplace of hip-hop once proudly laid claim to “hardcore hip-hop,” shunning commercial rap on many classic tracks. Competition in the game however led to that sound disappearing, with artists like Jay Z, The Notorious B.I.G., and Big Pun finding a way to toe the line between huge successful hits and street driven album cuts. Two decades after the Biggie blueprint was laid out on Ready To Die, we find many artists from the region adopting southern styles of rap, pandering to the hot sound of the moment, rather than sticking with the natural style of the Empire State.
Joell Ortiz’s House Slippers isn’t guilty of attempting to craft southern bounce tracks, but does its best to follow in the footsteps of the groundwork laid down those successful NYC rappers that came before. Coming from the Slaughterhouse crew of super-emcees, Joell is no slouch lyrically, as he proves all over this LP. He demonstrates this on introspective songs like “Q&A”, “Say Yes,” and the title track, “House Slippers.” These songs give a peek behind the curtain at Joell’s life, and are some of the strongest moments on the album. Meanwhile, cuts like “Dream On” and the Slaugherhouse party “Brothers Keeper” find Joell delivering his heaviest, most dense lyrical content.
However lyrical rappers like Joell have long had trouble making the transition to mainstream acceptance. Its clear that Joell is well aware of this, as he gives the old college try to a few potential crossover hits. However most of these miss the mark, progressively getting worse with each attempt. The B.o.B. featured “Music Saved My Life” comes off as cliché, sounding very much like something that would fit better on a Bobby Ray album. Songs like “Phone” and “Better Than” suffer from overly polished production, while “Candy” is over-the-top radio fodder that simply does not fit Ortiz.
We are far and away from ever returning to the unpolluted golden era sound of New York hip-hop, and unfortunately, House Slippers is proof of that. Its clear that there is no commercial value in the sound of yesterday, which forces rappers to sacrifice their core sound for success. That unfortunately makes albums like this one sound forced and unnatural. House Slippers has a few solid tracks, but doesn’t feel like we’re getting the real Joell Ortiz.
Method Man?
Yes Method Man! He’s too slept on. I forgot about Cormega.
“Its clear that there is no commercial value in the sound of yesterday, which forces rappers to sacrifice their core sound for success.”
It hurts to say this, but I hate how HipHopSite laments the inability for true MCing and ‘core sounds’ to sell, but then gives Drake perfect album ratings almost every time he drops. You can’t have it both ways.
@Rich, wanted to add a couple to your list, yU the 78er, Has-Lo, and OC, just to name a few
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October 4th, 2014 at 6:00 am
4 October, 2014@1:17 am
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