By shelz.

The personal stories of the four members of Slaughterhouse are very similar.  They have all been around the industry for some time.  They have all had relationships with top dogs that have fallen through for one reason or another and they have all been hailed as officially talented.  One of the most talented in many folks’ opinion would be their Midwest rep, Royce da 5′9″.  He’s seen as thoughtful, gifted and hard working with a natural edge that many other emcees can’t match.  And we get to see why he and his edge have been able to persevere once again on his latest release, Street Hop. It’s 19 tracks smothered in metaphor, with Royce & company battling the streets, claiming top dog status, and divulging loves, hates and doubts over some really great production.

The first two tracks on the album were also released on The Revival, the EP Royce dropped earlier this year.  “Gun Harmonizing” is the first of the two and a seriously appropriate opening for the album. It’s full of Royce’s hard driving brand of self big up as he compares his lyrical fire power to that of a machine gun. The track is thick and layered and the gun clap is perfect.

“Count for Nothing” brings us a myriad of cultural references from Hip-Hop and beyond with Royce claiming the lyrical top spot while the Chuck D sample keeps count.  Royce is as hot as Lindsay Lohen’s fire crotch (funny). He’s as important to rap as Michael Buffer is to boxing and he’s got that glow; not the Sooooouuuuul Gloooooow but the Taimak one.  This song is inventive and entertaining and comes with a reference to dudes begging him to get back with Em.

And y’all cryin like babies over the net
I should call you niggas Lady Gaga
I call you and Em need to get together
Y’all need each other Nickel Shady blah blah

Sounds a little strange considering there are suggestions a reunion is in the making, so I guess crying really works.  Word to all you Lady Gagas.

“Soldier” with Kid Vishis has an open sinister track; hard bass, well placed whiney guitar and an R&B hook that manages to sound current without being doused with a hearty helping of auto tune (Thank God). It’s more self celebratory fodder with Royce and Vishis ping ponging back and forth with laid back confidence.  They carry big guns, bang hot broads and can sniff out a poser a mile away. How?  They’re soldiers.

“Dinner Time” is a collaboration with Bussa Bus handling a verse as well as hype man duties and it’s hella hot. Royce takes a little literary license claiming he’s hot with the sales on both viral and physical copies. Ummm. Well, not really, but there is nothing wrong with having a dream. Even though Busta has more gravel than bass in his voice these days, he’s still good.  There’s a little bit of laziness in him though.

I’m the greatest. My shit is sick like the flu.

Okay Busta.  However, that’s just knit-picking in a song like this. Really.

The title “Shake This” would immediately make you think strip club anthem, but no.  It’s an incredibly lucid and self-deprecating look at his life and career that tackles his split with Em, his DUI arrest and the self doubt that can occasionally infiltrate our thoughts. Awesome, especially since it’s bolstered by Primo’s masterfully lush production. The depth of the song out Budden’s Budden and is probably the best track on the album.

“Something 2 Ride 2” with Phonte and “Far Away” are laid back with smooth R&B like production.  Royce does experiment with the vocoder on the latter but he says it’s just because he clowning. “Warriors,” the obligatory crew cut with the other 3 from Slaughterhouse, and “Street Hop 2010” are the other two cuts from Revival.  “Hood Love” has been released as a single on the net and for good reason.  The slow, pride-filled lyrics from Royce, Joell and Bun B about the comfort of home are layered again over an awesomely effectual Primo track.    There’s an amusing movie style intermission skit.  Listen and learn folks.  Per the announcer, choking bitches is passé.

Drawbacks? Anyone that bought the Revival EP will give a little eye roll to the Rock City representer because all four songs are on this album. We also know that Royce can get a bit nasty especially with his scatological fixation, but the shit talk isn’t quite as pronounced on this album. Also, Royce spreads the “my mouth is a gun and my words are bullets” concept pretty thick at times.  However, he manages to say it in a billion different ways. So at least you’re not listening to lethargic lyricism. Oh and there’s A LOT of features on this album.  Too many to list.

Is it good? Yes.  If you like sneaky metaphors and enjoy debating what exactly a rapper meant with all his cryptic bars, you will enjoy this.  The production is provided by a who’s who list of top beat choppers including Premier, Nottz, Streetrunner and Quincy Tones and elevates many of the songs to cinematic status. Royce does retreat from his normal hyper aggressive, but it’s nice to see his layers and his fans already know wha’ts good with da 5′9″. Bravo sir.

3.5 out of 5

Follow shelz on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/shelzp

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