Welcome to: Our House

Welcome to: Our House
Studio album by Slaughterhouse
Released	August 28, 2012 (see release history)
Recorded	2011–2012
Genre	Hip hop
Length	64:22 (Normal version) 80:30 (Deluxe version)
Label	Shady, Interscope
Producer	Eminem (also exec.), Alex da Kid, AraabMuzik, Black Key, Boi-1da, The Maven Boys, Hit-Boy, Kane Beatz, Mr. Porter, No I.D., StreetRunner, Sarom, T-Minus, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Zukhan
Slaughterhouse chronology
On the House (2012) Welcome to: Our House (2012) House Rules (2014)
Singles from Welcome to: Our House
"Hammer Dance" Released: March 13, 2012 "My Life" Released: May 15, 2012 "Throw It Away" Released: July 2, 2012 "Goodbye" Released: August 9, 2012 "Throw That" Released: August 21, 2012

Welcome to: Our House (stylized as welcome to: OUR HOUSE) is the second studio album and major label debut by hip hop supergroup Slaughterhouse, consisting of Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9". The album was released on August 28, 2012 via Shady Records and Interscope Records.

Background

On February 9, 2012, Crooked I, in an interview with XXL, said that Eminem has been confirmed to feature on the album and provide most of the production,^[1] and Royce later stated that Eminem would mix the album.^[2] Alex da Kid, The Alchemist, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and No I.D. later were confirmed to produce on the album.^[3] The title of the album was announced in January 2012,^[4] before a tour that began on March 8 in Dallas and concluded May 10 in Nashville was also confirmed.^[5] Joe Budden has publicly said the group was abusing substances while recording the album.^[6]

Delay and mixtape

On June 4, on 106 & Park, Royce Da 5'9 stated that the album has been pushed back till July 2012, instead of June 12. Further delays have led to a release date of August 28, 2012. On July 7, 2012, Royce announced in an interview with Jenny Boom Boom that the group will release a pre-album mixtape around the first week of August. Joe Budden revealed via Twitter that the mixtape is called On the House and will be hosted by DJ Drama.^[7] Royce Da 5'9" released the cover art for the mixtape through Twitter on August 7, 2012. A promotional video for the mixtape was released on August 6, 2012, and previewed a song called "See Dead People" with confirmed guest appearances by Eminem.^[8] Rapper Sauce Tha Boss, signed to Crooked I's COB label, claimed via Twitter that the mixtape will drop on Friday, August 10, 2012. This was not the case, however, the mixtape was released via DatPiff and DJ Drama on August 19, 2012.^[9]

Singles

On February 27, 2012 Funkmaster Flex premiered "Hammer Dance", the lead single from the album, on New York's Hot 97 radio station. The song was produced by AraabMuzik.^[10] On March 13, the song was released through iTunes.^[11] On April 25, the group premiered "My Life", the second single from the album, which features Cee Lo Green and is produced by StreetRunner and Sarom.^[12] The song was released on iTunes on May 15, 2012.^[13] On June 29, the third single, "Throw It Away", was released, also on Hot 97, with Funkmaster Flex. The song features vocals from the American rapper Swizz Beatz and production from Mr. Porter. The single was later available to purchase on iTunes, on July 2, 2012. A video for the single was released on August 31, 2012.^[14] The group confirmed in an interview on BET Awards 2012 with Hip Hop Wired that the fourth single will be "Goodbye", produced by Boi-1da.^[15] "Goodbye" premiered on Shade 45 on August 9, 2012, during an interview with the group and Eminem.^[16] On August 14, the single was released on iTunes for digital download.^[17] On August 21, 2012 the fifth single, Throw That which features their executive producer Eminem, was released for digital download on iTunes.^[18]

Guest appearances

On August 4, 2012, the track listing was confirmed with the guests appearances. Notably, Shady records label head Eminem appears on three tracks. Joining Mr. Mathers are Cee Lo Green, Busta Rhymes, Skylar Grey, Swizz Beatz and B.o.B. The producers on the album are AraabMuzik, StreetRunner, Sarom, Mr. Porter, Boi-1da, The Alchemist, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, No I.D., Alex da Kid, Hit-Boy, T-Minus, Black Key, Zukhan, Kane Beatz, and Eminem as the executive producer.^[19]

Reception

Commercial performance

Welcome to: Our House was Slaughterhouse's most successful release to date, peaking at Number Two in the Billboard 200 and at Number One in the Billboard Top Rap Albums, selling 52,000 copies in the first week.^[20] As of September 30, 2012, it has sold 80,000 copies in the US.^[21]

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[22]
Exclaim!	[23]
HipHopDX	[24]
RapReviews	8/10[25]
Rolling Stone	[26]
Spin	7/10}[27]
XXL	[28]

The album received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 70, which indicates "generally favorable reviews", based on t10 reviews.^[29] HipHopDX's editor Slava Kuperstein reviewed the album, and gave it 4.5 out of 5. Kuperstein says: "With welcome to: OUR HOUSE, Slaughterhouse has somehow managed to improve upon its already-absurd skill set."^[24] RapReviews review was written by Steve Juon, who said: "The debut was unexpectedly good and remains a classic. The official sequel to it was EXPECTED to be good and it is."^[30] In a mixed review, written by Jody RosenThe from the magazine Rolling Stone, was said "the group's second LP is a showcase for gritty traditionalism". The review had the lowest score.^[26] Allmusic's editor David Jeffries has criticized the album saying: "Crotch-grabbing tracks might crash into a convincing emo-rap number and these proven wordsmiths might have left more room for guests and hooks than they probably should have, but just because their indie debut was a more cohesive showcase doesn't mean the joy and pain of Welcome to Our House isn't worth the required sorting."^[22]

On September 5, 2012, Mark Bozzer from Canadian music magazine Exclaim! made a positive review of the album, saying "Joe, Joell, Crooked I and Royce trade quality rhymes over a varied catalogue of original productions that allow the four-piece ample room to spit their different brands of venom."^[23] The magazine XXL reviewed the album with their editor Adam Fleischer. Fleischer said: "There's rarely a weak bar on welcome to: OUR HOUSE, though the verbal dexterity isn't quite as stunning as it was on their debut."^[28] Music magazine Spin reviewed the album on September 5, 2012, and their editor Phillip Mlynar commented about album: "Despite this abundance of raps about the unadulterated greatness of rapping, the Slaughterhouse four pull it off with extraordinary sincerity, and Our House avoids devolving into some tired treatise about how these guys make "real hip-hop" and other rappers don't."^[27] Nathan S. from the website DJ Booth reviewed the album, saying: "At 16 tracks, 20 on the deluxe version, this album manages to work in more than a couple joints featuring some of the vicious rap hardcore fans were hoping for."^[31]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"The Slaughter" (Intro)		Eminem	1:16
2.	"Our House" (featuring Eminem and Skylar Grey)	M. Mathers, R. Montgomery, J. Ortiz, D. Wicklife, A. Grant, H. Hafferman	Alex da Kid	5:58
3.	"Coffin" (featuring Busta Rhymes)	R. Montgomery, J. Budden, J. Ortiz, D. Wickliffe, C. Hollis, T. Smith	Hit-Boy Eminem^[b]	3:41
4.	"Throw That" (featuring Eminem)	M. Mathers, R. Montgomery, J. Budden, J. Ortiz, D. Wickliffe, T. Williams, L. Campbell, D. Hobbs, M. Ross, C. Wongwon, J. Brown, R. Ginyard	T-Minus Eminem^[b]	3:57
5.	"Hammer Dance"	R. Montgomery, J. Budden, J. Ortiz, D. Wickliffe, A. Orellana, J. Davis, R. Arvizu, J. Shaffer, D. Silveria, B. Welch	AraabMuzik Eminem^[a]	3:43
6.	"Get Up"	R. Montgomery, J. Budden, J. Ortiz, D. Wickliffe, E. Wilson, A. Genn, M. Slattery	No ID Eminem^[a]	5:01
7.	"My Life" (featuring Cee Lo Green)	R. Montgomery, J. Budden, J. Ortiz, D. Wickliffe, N. Warwar, R. Diaz, M. Aiello, M. Gaffey, F. Bontempi, A. Gordon, G. Spagna, P. Glenister, T. Callaway	StreetRunner Raymond "Sarom" Diaz Eminem^[b]	4:21
8.	"We Did It" (Skit)		Eminem	0:41
9.	"Flip a Bird"	R. Montgomery, J. Budden, J. Ortiz, D. Wickliffe, I. Heap	Black Key Beats Zukhan Eminem^[b]	4:20
10.	"Throw It Away" (featuring Swizz Beatz)	R. Montgomery, J. Budden, J. Ortiz, D. Wickliffe, D. Porter, R. Scroggins, K. Dean	Mr. Porter Eminem^[a]	4:15
11.	"Rescue Me" (featuring Skylar Grey)	R. Montgomery, J. Budden, J. Ortiz, D. Wickliffe, A. Grant, H. Hafferman	Alex da Kid	3:39
12.	"Frat House"	R. Montgomery, J. Budden, J. Ortiz, D. Wickliffe, N. Seetharam, T. Williams	T-Minus Eminem^[b]	3:48
13.	"Goodbye"	J. Budden, J. Ortiz, D. Wickliffe, M. Samuels, M. Burnett, I. Perez	Boi-1da Matthew Burnett^[a] Eminem^[b]	5:02
14.	"Park It Sideways"	R. Montgomery, J. Budden, J. Ortiz, D. Wickliffe, G. Astrain, I. Escudero, M. Lazcano, E. De La Granja, D. Johnson, J. Coleman, A. Floyd	Kane Beatz JMIKE^[b] Ashanti "The Mad Violinist" Floyd^[b] Eminem^[a]	3:56
15.	"Die"	R. Montgomery, J. Budden, D. Wickliffe, D. Porter, H. Jackson, A. Toma, S. Jordan	Mr. Porter	5:04
16.	"Our Way" (Outro)	R. Montgomery, J. Budden, J. Ortiz, D. Wickliffe, M. Samuels, Z. Epstein, B. Kruger	Boi-1da The Maven Boys^[b] Eminem^[a]	5:39
Total length:				64:22

Deluxe version
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
17.	"Asylum" (featuring Eminem)	M. Mathers, L. Resto, R. Montgomery, J. Ortiz, D. Wickliffe	Eminem Luis Resto^[a]	4:02
18.	"Walk of Shame"	R. Montgomery, J. Budden, J. Ortiz, D. Wickliffe, N. Warwar, R. Diaz, M. Aiello, M. Hayward, R. Marsden, E. Richardson	StreetRunner Raymond "Sarom" Diaz I.L.O Eminem^[b]	4:06
19.	"The Other Side"	R. Montgomery, J. Budden, J. Ortiz, E. Ortiz, K. Crowe, K. Bartolomei, M. Franklin, M. Primous	J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League	4:09
20.	"Place to Be" (featuring B.o.B)	R. Montgomery, J. Budden, J. Ortiz, D. Wickliffe, J. Boyd, D. Johnson, J. Coleman	Kane Beatz JMIKE Eminem^[b]	3:54
Total length:				80:30

Notes

• ^{^a} signifies an additional producer.
• ^{^b} signifies a co-producer.

Sample credits

• "Get Up" samples "Ali In the Jungle" performed by The Hours.
• "My Life" samples "The Rhythm of the Night" performed by Corona.
• "Flip a Bird" samples "Little Bird" performed by Imogen Heap.
• "Throw It Away" samples "UFO" performed by ESG.
• "Park It Sideways" samples "Real Love" performed by Delorean.
• "Walk of Shame" samples "Light of the Morning" performed by Band of Skulls.
• "Hammer Dance" samples "Falling Away from Me" performed by Korn.

Personnel

Credits for Welcome to: Our House adapted from Allmusic.^[32]

M. Aiello - Composer AraabMuzik - Producer Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu - Composer Black Key Beats - Producer Boi-1da - Producer T-Minus - Producer F. Bontempi - Composer Cullen Brooks - Assistant Engineer M. Burnett - Composer Matthew Burnett - Additional Production Busta Rhymes - Featured Artist Tony Campana - Engineer J. Coleman - Composer Jonathan Davis - Composer James "Munky" Shaffer - Composer Mickey Davis - Engineer Denaun - Vocals Dennis Dennehy - Marketing, Publicity Raymond "Sarom" Diaz - Producer DJ Mormile - A&R Eminem - Additional Production, Executive Producer, Featured Artist, Mixing, Producer Keith Ferguson - Guitar John Fisher - Studio Manager Ashanti "The Mad Violinist" Floyd - Producer Brian "Big Bass" Gardner - Mastering P. Glenister - Composer Alicia Graham - A&R A. Grant - Composer B.o.B - Featured Artist Cee Lo Green - Featured Artist Skylar Grey - Featured Artist Chad Griffith - Photography H. Hafferman - Composer Hit-Boy - Producer Stephanie Hsu - Creative Art Tony "56" Jackson - Keyboards J-MIKE - Producer Joe Strange - Assistant Engineer, Engineer D. Johnson - Composer S. Jordan - Composer Selena Jordan - Vocals Sly Jordan - Vocals Kane Beatz - Producer

Alex Da Kid - Mixing, Producer Marc Labelle - Project Coordinator Edgar Luna - Engineer M. Gaffey - Composer Deborah Mannis-Gardner - Sample Clearance Graham Marsh - Engineer Marvwon - Rap Justine Massa - Creative Coordinator Maven Boys - Producer Alex Merzin - Engineer R. Montgomery - Composer Riggs Morales - A&R Mr. Porter - Producer No I.D. - Producer J. Ortiz - Composer Dart Parker - A&R D. Porter - Producer Luis Resto - Keyboards M. Samuels - Composer Jason Sangerman - Marketing Mike Saputo - Art Direction, Design R. Scroggins - Composer Les Scurry - Production Coordination Feras "Ferrari" Sheika - Engineer David Silveria - Composer M. Slattery - Composer Slaughterhouse - Primary Artist Manny Smith - A&R T. Smith - Composer G. Spagna - Composer Miguel Starcevich - Back Cover Photo Mike Strange - Engineer, Keyboards, Mixing Streetrunner - Producer Swizz Beatz - Featured Artist N. Warwar - Composer Brian "Head" Welch - Composer Ryan West - Mixing D. Wickliffe - Composer

Charts

Chart (2012)	Peak position
scope="row"	Canadian Albums (Billboard)[33]	4
scope="row"	Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[34]	90
scope="row"	Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[35]	76
scope="row"	UK Albums (OCC)[36]	33
scope="row"	US Billboard 200[37]	2
scope="row"	US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[38]	1
scope="row"	US Top Rap Albums (Billboard)[39]	1
scope="row"	US Top Tastemaker Albums (Billboard)[40]	1

Release history

List of release date, showing country, and record label

Region	Date	Label	Ref
Canada	August 28, 2012	Shady, Interscope	[41]
United Kingdom	August 24, 2012		[42]
United States	August 28, 2012		[43]

References

1. "Crooked I Says Eminem Has Production and Features on Slaughterhouse’s Next LP". XXL. February 9, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
2. "Slaughterhouse Reveals Eminem Is Mixing and Arranging "Welcome to: Our House"". HipHopDX. March 29, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
3. "Slaughterhouse Discusses Shady Records Debut, Eminem & Producers". HipHopDX. April 17, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
4. "Slaughterhouse Announces Shady Records Debut "welcome to: Our House," Tour Dates". HipHopDX. January 26, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
5. "Tours". Slaughterhouseweb.com. April 12, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
6. StevenHorowitz (2012-12-19). "Joe Budden Excited To Work On Slaughterhouse's Next Album While Sober". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2015-07-03.
7. "Twitter / JoeBudden: Real shit tho, the verses on". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2015-07-03.
8. "Slaughterhouse Officially Announces Mixtape". The B.O.S.S. Board. Retrieved 2015-07-03.
9. "Twitter / Royceda59: RT @Dramalikethedj:". Twitter.com. 2012-08-07. Retrieved 2015-07-03.
10. "New Music: Slaughterhouse "Hammer Dance"". RapRadar. February 27, 2012. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
11. "Hammer Dance - Single". iTunes. March 13, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
12. "New Music: Slaughterhouse x Cee-Lo "My Life"". RapRadar. April 25, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
13. iTunes - Music - My Life (feat. Cee Lo Green) - Single by Slaughterhouse
14. iTunes - Music - Throw It Away (feat. Swizz Beatz) - Single by Slaughterhouse
15. Exclusive: Machine Gun Kelly Says He's A "Great Rapper," Slaughterhouse Reveals Next Music Video [VIDEO] | Hip-Hop Wired
16. Slaughterhouse – “Goodbye” (Radio Rip) | Diverse Hip Hop
17. iTunes - Music - Goodbye - Single by Slaughterhouse
18. iTunes - Music - Throw That (feat. Eminem) - Single by Slaughterhouse
19. Slaughterhouse Discusses Shady Records Debut, Eminem & Producers | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales | HipHop DX
20. Jacobs, Allen. "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 9/2/2012". Cheri Media Group. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
21. Paine, Jack. "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 9/23/2012". Cheri Media Group. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
22. "Welcome To: Our House - Slaughterhouse". Retrieved 2012-09-15.
23. "Slaughterhouse - Welcome To: Our House • Hip-Hop Reviews •". Retrieved 2012-09-15.
24. "Slaughterhouse - welcome to: Our House". Retrieved 2012-09-15.
25. "Feature for September 11, 2012 - Slaughterhouse's "Welcome To: Our House"". Rapreviews.com. 2012-09-11. Retrieved 2015-07-03.
26. "Welcome to: Our House". Retrieved 2012-09-15.
27. "Slaughterhouse, 'Welcome To: Our House' (Shady/Interscope)". Retrieved 2012-09-15.
28. "Slaughterhouse, welcome to: OUR HOUSE". Retrieved 2012-09-15.
29. "Welcome To: Our House Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2012-09-15.
30. "Slaughterhouse :: Welcome To: Our House". Retrieved 2012-09-15.
31. "Slaughterhouse - welcome to: OUR HOUSE". Retrieved 2012-09-15.
32. "Welcome To: Our House - Slaughterhouse". AllMusic. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
33. "Slaughterhouse – Chart history" Billboard Canadian Albums Chart for Slaughterhouse. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
34. "Dutchcharts.nl – Slaughterhouse – Welcome To: Our House" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
35. "Swisscharts.com – Slaughterhouse – Welcome To: Our House". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
36. "Slaughterhouse | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart Retrieved September 15, 2012.
37. "Slaughterhouse – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Slaughterhouse. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
38. "Slaughterhouse – Chart history" Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums for Slaughterhouse. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
39. "Slaughterhouse – Chart history" Billboard Top Rap Albums for Slaughterhouse. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
40. "Slaughterhouse – Chart history" Billboard Top Tastemaker Albums for Slaughterhouse. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
41. iTunes - Music - Welcome To: Our House (Deluxe Version) by Slaughterhouse
42. iTunes - Music - Welcome To: Our House (Deluxe Version) by Slaughterhouse
43. iTunes - Music - Welcome To: Our House (Deluxe Version) by Slaughterhouse