joell ortiz ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

200 MCs Celebrate DJ Kay Slay On The Ultimate Posse Cut

Last year, Hip-Hop lost DJ Kay Slay. The Harlem legend passed away on April 17, 2022. His 40+ year legacy began with graffiti and evolved into him becoming one of the biggest mixtape DJs in the world. The self-proclaimed "Drama King" ultimately used his tastemaking skills as a record executive... Read more

November 3, 2023 Video

Just Blaze Has Released 2 Songs From Slaughterhouse’s Glass House Album

In 2009, four of Hip-Hop's sharpest lyricists joined forces to form one of the most beloved super group's of the last 15 years. Joe Budden, Royce 5'9, Joell Ortiz and Kxng Crooked (then known as Crooked I) each had well-established careers, but Slaughterhouse propelled the collective to mythical heights. By... Read more

October 24, 2023 Audio, Trending Stories

Royce 5’9 Speaks About Ownership & How It Divided Slaughterhouse

Royce 5'9 has found success as a gold-selling major label artist as well as an independent stalwart. After 25 years in the professional Rap space, the Detroit, Michigan MC has been acquiring his catalog. Over the last seven years, Nickel Nine has also released some of the best music of... Read more

April 12, 2023 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Joe Budden & Royce 5’9 Review The Rise & Fall Of Slaughterhouse

Earlier this month, on March 11, Kxng Crooked and Joell Ortiz released their second collaborative album as a duo. While 2020's H.A.R.D. was recognized for two elite MCs representing one-half of Slaughterhouse coming together, 2022's LP was far more provocative. The Rise & Fall Of Slaughterhouse arrived with new information... Read more

March 24, 2022 Video

Benny’s Tana Talk 4 Is A Bold Reminder That The Butcher Is A Cut Above The Rest

This past Friday (March 11) kicked off one of the biggest weekends for Hip-Hop in quite some time. Benny The Butcher released his highly-anticipated Tana Talk 4 album. Released the same day, Kxng Crooked and Joell Ortiz's joint album chronicles the demise of their Slaughterhouse group, conveying frustration and laying... Read more

March 15, 2022 Video

A Timeline Of How Slaughterhouse Became A Broken Home

For a group that has not released a project in almost eight years, Slaughterhouse is currently making big waves in Hip-Hop news. The collective of Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Kxng Crooked, and Royce 5'9 is presently at odds, and the disagreement is playing out in real-time. This Friday (March 11),... Read more

March 8, 2022 Video

Joe Budden, Royce 5’9 And Joell Ortiz Argue About Slaughterhouse & It Ends Badly

In late February, Kxng Crooked and Joell Ortiz announced that they are releasing a March 11 collaboration project, The Rise and Fall of Slaughterhouse. The news came with a webisode series and new music—each addressing the demise of the group the pair formed with another two MCs: Royce 5'9 and... Read more

March 5, 2022 News, Video

Joell Ortiz & Kxng Crooked Rap About The Fall Of Slaughterhouse

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads sift through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back... Read more

February 26, 2022 Audio

Joell Ortiz Names His Top 5 Brooklyn MCs

This month, Joell Ortiz delivered a new album, The Autograph. The release, embedded below, marks Ortiz's fourth with indie stalwart Mello Music Group. After a career cultivated by rapping his circumstances directly to the listener, Joell somehow goes even deeper on his new album. As he tells Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast (embedded... Read more

November 23, 2021 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Joe Budden Responds To Eminem’s Latest Disses

On Friday morning, Eminem surprise-released a new album. His third LP since October of 2017 features an exciting guest list of MCs as well some ongoing jabs at rivals, including MGK, Brand Nubian's Lord Jamar, and Joe Budden. This weekend, Budden responded to Music To Be Murdered By lyrics on... Read more

January 19, 2020 Audio, News, Video

Royce 5’9 Explains How Griselda Has Avoided Some Of Slaughterhouse’s Mistakes

In the last month, Griselda released its first group album, WWCD ((What Would Chine Gunn Do) on Shady Records. The project unites Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Benny The Butcher for their first full-length release as a trio. Since signing with Eminem in 2017, the collective has independently garnered tremendous... Read more

December 13, 2019 Audio, Fresh, Video

Joell Ortiz Makes Art Out Of Anxiety. He Puts His Darkest Thoughts On The Table (Video)

If there is anything that these past few have proven, it's that Slaughterhouse co-founder Joell Ortiz abides by an incredible work ethic. Last year, the Brooklyn, New York veteran MC linked up with Michigan producer Apollo Brown for a joint record, Mona Lisa. At the top of 2019 came Ortiz'... Read more

October 24, 2019 Video

Joe Budden Says He Encouraged Slaughterhouse To Replace Him (Video)

Joe Budden sits down with Freddie Gibbs on the latest episode of Pull Up. On a New York City rooftop, the two men discuss a number of topics. The Gary, Indiana native stresses that he wants to be included on the Top MCs lists, which Budden is no stranger to,... Read more

October 14, 2019 Video

Kxng Crooked Explains Why Slaughterhouse Needs To Release One Last Album

It was nearly a year-and-a-half ago that Kxng Crooked suddenly announced his exit from Slaughterhouse. In April of 2018, the group's co-founder disbanded from the collective formed a decade earlier by Joe Budden, Royce 5'9, and Joell Ortiz. Although the Shady Records act had been relatively idle since 2014's House... Read more

October 7, 2019 Video

Joell Ortiz Joins The Greats In Making A Heartfelt Dedication To His Mother (Audio)

Late last year, Joell Ortiz released one of his most revered works in Mona Lisa, a collaborative album with producer Apollo Brown. Since then, the Brooklyn, New York veteran has hardly sat still. He opened the year with a joint project, Gorilla Glue, alongside Fred The Godson that was produced by... Read more

September 4, 2019 Audio

Joell Ortiz Is The Captain Of His Destiny & He’s On A Course For Greatness (Audio)

Joell Ortiz has been on a tear in the last nine months. He fed fans a beloved album alongside producer Apollo Brown in the form of late 2018's Mona Lisa. The Brooklyn, New York veteran opened 2019 with a joint effort, Gorilla Glue, with Fred The Godson and longtime production affiliates,... Read more

July 23, 2019 Audio

Joell Ortiz & Hit-Maker Salaam Remi Have Released A New EP. Take A Listen.

This past year has been busy for Brooklyn, New York's Joell Ortiz. Last year, the Slaughterh*use co-founder linked up with veteran Michigan producer Apollo Brown for the release of their joint venture, Mona Lisa. Then at the beginning of 2019, Joell caught a wave with Dipset affiliates The Heatmakerz and... Read more

June 8, 2019 Audio

Kool Keith, B-Real & Joell Ortiz Show MCs How To Level Up (Audio Premiere)

Next month (July 12), veteran MC innovator Kool Keith will see the release of his latest album, simply titled KEITH. Produced entirely by The Beatnuts' Psycho Les, KEITH will feature appearances by Houston's Paul Wall, Cypress Hill front-man B-Real, and Crooklyn Dodger lyrical slugger, Jeru The Damaja. Following last month's... Read more

June 4, 2019 Audio, Exclusive

Kxng Crooked Is Brutally Honest About The Breakup Of Slaughterhouse (Video)

Today (March 15), Drink Champs released its episode with Xzibit. Notably, another Southern California-based lyricist also guested on the show. Kxng Crooked (aka Crooked I) joined N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN's round-table alongside Mr. X-To-The-Z. In a two-hour discussion, the show played host to some of Crook's most revealing thoughts surrounding... Read more

March 15, 2019 Video

Common Brings His A-Game On A Cold Collabo With Joell Ortiz

DJ Absolut has been a sound provider who in addition to playing others' records is dropping heat of his own. Previously, Ambrosia For Heads presented Rap fans with some unearthed Mobb Deep freestyles via the New York mixmaster. Now, Heads can get a taste of more Big Apple-inspired heat headed... Read more

February 26, 2019 Audio

Joell Ortiz & Fred The Godson Are 2 NY Giants Of Wordplay. Listen To Their New Album

Joell Ortiz and Fred The Godson have a relationship that dates back to the earliest days of Slaughterhouse. The two skilled lyricists have been hopping on tracks together for quite some time. These New York representatives introduced their "King Kong" and "Godzilla" monikers in 2015 when Fred released The Heatmakerz-produced... Read more

January 27, 2019 Audio

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2018 (Battle 8): Apollo Brown & Joell Ortiz vs. Royce 5’9

We have our opinions on the best releases of 2018, but rather than simply tell you our pick for #1, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2018. With that in mind, we decided to make our... Read more

December 14, 2018 Best Rap Album 2018

Which Of These Albums Deserves To Compete For Best Of 2018? You Decide.

Earlier today, Ambrosia For Heads announced our picks for the 15 Best Albums Of 2018. As we did last year, we are having you decide which one of these albums (or any one that we missed) is the album of the year, based on your votes in an NCAA-style tournament... Read more

December 4, 2018 Best Rap Album 2018

Joell Ortiz Examines How Growing Up Fast Shaped Him Over A Lush Apollo Brown Beat

Last month, Joell Ortiz and Apollo Brown partnered to release the Mona Lisa album. The Mello Music Group LP is a platform for Joell to look back at his upbringing, react to the dissolving of Slaughterhouse, and call for more MCs with heart, all while celebrating the beauty in the... Read more

November 27, 2018 Video

Apollo Brown & Joell Ortiz Discuss Their Album, Slaughterhouse & More (Video)

Apollo Brown and Joell Ortiz released their Mona Lisa album on Friday, October 26 (embedded below). These two stalwarts of the culture have put together 11 tracks of soulful, insightful, and competitive-spirited Hip-Hop. Having had a chance to digest this nuanced body of work, Ambrosia For Heads' Editor-in-Chief Jake Paine... Read more

October 31, 2018 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Joell Ortiz, Royce 5’9 & Kxng Crooked Reunite To Stomp Out Weak MCs (Audio)

In the last decade, Detroit, Michigan producer Apollo Brown has compiled a pretty impressive resume of Rap acts he's produced. The Motor City native has been behind the instrumentals of some of Hip-hop's best spitters. Whether it be younger talents like Chance The Rapper and Westside Gunn or more seasoned... Read more

October 11, 2018 Audio

Joell Ortiz Reflects On Slaughterhouse & More On His Collabo With Apollo Brown (Audio)

It seems like Detroit, Michigan’s Apollo Brown has taken it upon himself to pair some of the most lyrical MCs in the game with the tailor-made production they deserve. Since 2012 he has dropped heralded projects with Guilty Simpson, O.C., Ras Kass, Skyzoo, Planet Asia, and earlier this year, Locksmith.... Read more

October 9, 2018 Audio, Exclusive

CyHi The Prynce Challenges Joe Budden To A Rap Battle For $500,000 (Video)

In recent episodes of The Joe Budden Podcast, CyHi The Prynce has come up in conversation several times. Joe, along with co-hosts Rory, Mal, as well as Parks, have discussed CyHi's announcement of his Kanye West-produced seven-song follow-up to 2017's No Dope On Sundays. More recently, they addressed 'Ye reportedly gifting... Read more

September 29, 2018 News, Video

Slaughterhouse May Be Done But Joell Ortiz & Royce 5’9 Are Still Stomping Out MCs (Audio)

Even with the group apparently on ice, people are talking about Slaughterhouse right now, as much as ever. Eminem spoke about the group during part 2 of his week-long rollout of an interview with Sway. As recently as this weekend, Joe Budden is reflecting on the group dynamic on his... Read more

September 18, 2018 Audio

Joell Ortiz, Jon Connor & Locksmith Are Bringing Bars Back To Hip-Hop (Video)

In a time where name-dropping and direct disses are getting all the attention in Hip-Hop, a group of independent MCs is bringing back some old fashioned, cypher-oriented raps with hard punches aimed at no one in particular. The song "Back To The Bars (Intro)" features East Coast spitters MCs Joell... Read more

September 8, 2018 Video

Joe Budden Flips Out On Eminem. He Says He’s Been Better Than Em For A Decade (Video)

Friday (August 31) marked Joe Budden's 38th birthday. The Jersey City MC-turned-media host says he woke up to learn that Eminem addressed him on a sneak-attack album, Kamikaze. The news came after Budden was publicly critical of Eminem's 2017 work, (especially singles "Walk On Water" and "Untouchable") via his platforms, ... Read more

September 5, 2018 Audio, News, Video

Ace Clark Shows Signs Of Greatness On A Jazzy Collabo With Talib Kweli & Joell Ortiz (Audio)

Gang Starr's Guru once professed on "Moment of Truth", “Cultivate, multiply, motivate or else we’ll die.” Twenty years later in a progressively demanding and often times burdensome social climate, these lyrics ring truer than ever. To remain positive, inspired, and purposeful in an atmosphere that can easily wear you down... Read more

August 15, 2018 Audio, Exclusive

Royce 5’9 Explains How Beef With Joe Budden Led To A Slaughterhouse (Video)

In the last five weeks, Slaughterhouse has publicly disbanded. Following KXNG Crooked's (aka Crooked I) announcement that he was stepping out of the group, Royce 5'9 and Joe Budden both responded in the media. The quartet, also including Joell Ortiz, has seemingly hung up its four mics after a run... Read more

May 25, 2018 Video

Royce 5’9 Explains In Detail What Went Wrong With Slaughterhouse (Video)

This month, Hip-Hop fans learned that Slaughterhouse has disbanded. One week ago, KXNG Crooked (aka Crooked I) announced his group exit on social media. Within days, Royce 5'9 explained how without Crook, that the group also including Joe Budden and Joell Ortiz would not continue as a unit. He added... Read more

April 29, 2018 Video

Royce 5’9 Reacts To KXNG Crooked’s Surprise Disbanding Of Slaughterhouse (Video)

Many Hip-Hop fans were shocked to learn of KXNG Crooked's exit from Slaughterhouse last weekend (April 20). The Long Beach, California MC once known as Crooked I released a video thanking his brothers, Eminem, and Shady Records, as well as fans. In the video, Crook' explained that the collective is... Read more

April 24, 2018 News, Video

Finding The GOAT Group: Slaughterhouse vs. Run The Jewels. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to... Read more

April 23, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

KXNG Crooked Has Left Slaughterhouse. Here’s Why (Video)

For the last decade, Slaughterhouse helped set a trend of MCs raising their profiles through forming a super-group. The cross-country collective of Royce 5'9, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, and KXNG Crooked (fka Crooked I) released two albums, an EP, and two mixtapes between 2009 and 2014. Slaughterhouse's future appears to... Read more

April 22, 2018 News, Video

Skyzoo & Joell Ortiz Reunite For A Collabo That Is Brooklyn To The Bone (Audio)

ChanHays is a producer from Halifax, Nova Scotia and someone who likes to feature spitters on his high tech, boom-bap instrumentals. At the end of last year, he dropped his debut project, Here, which touted some legendary MCs. Everyone from Ras Kass and Pharoahe Monch to Elzhi, Masta Ace, and... Read more

March 28, 2018 Audio, Fresh

Joell Ortiz & Raekwon Join Forces For A Rap Tale Of Love & Revenge (Audio)

Five years ago, Joell Ortiz and Raekwon joined Pusha T plus Danny Brown on "Tick, Tock." The hard-hitting collaboration was just the right combination for The Man With The Iron Fists soundtrack. With Raekwon hailing from one of Rap's super-crews of the 1990s, and Joell as one-fourth of one of... Read more

December 15, 2017 Audio, Exclusive

Joell Ortiz & Fred The Godson Roar Like Godzilla In An Ode To New York (Audio)

At the Y2K pinnacle of Rawkus Records, Pharoahe Monch eclipsed his Organized Konfusion success with an onslaught of solo hits. The first cut was probably the deepest, thanks to "Simon Says." The Queens, New York MC/producer used the Godzilla theme in a beat that transcended single, into an all-out club banger... Read more

November 14, 2017 Audio

Royce 5’9 Drops A Heat Rock. Joell Ortiz Sayz 2 Can Play That Game (Audio)

Today (May 23), both Joell Ortiz and Royce 5'9 dropped fresh material, shaking up things in what has otherwise been a relatively quiet week for major new releases. On "iLL," Royce joined Conway The Machine and DJ Green Lantern for some Get Out-inspired madness, while his Slaughterhouse cohort's offering is a solo... Read more

May 23, 2017 Audio

Joell Ortiz Says Most Rap Millionaires Are “Scared Silly” Of His Rich Bars (Audio)

In the eyes of some, Kendrick Lamar's #1 status and fast-track to platinum with DAMN. suggests that lyricism, clever songwriting, and album-making is winning. Clearly, for one Compton, California creative master, it is. However, it took Kendrick some years and quite a few apparent setbacks to get that spot. At... Read more

May 5, 2017 Audio

J.U.I.C.E. Defeated Eminem In One Of Rap’s Greatest Battles. He Offers A Rematch (Audio)

In 1997, at Cincinnati, Ohio's annual Scribble Jam Festival, Eminem and MC J.U.I.C.E. faced off in what is often considered one of Hip-Hop's greatest battles. At the time, the two Midwestern lyricists were both independent artists looking for a title, and some shine to boot. J.U.I.C.E., the Chicago, Illinois native... Read more

February 3, 2017 Audio

A Tribe Called Quest & Many More Gave Hip-Hop Much To Be Thankful For In November (Audio)

November 2016 was one of the most tumultuous months in a generation. Regardless of one's political affiliation the world seemingly changed over one long night on November 8 for hundreds of millions of Americans. When not fixated on the news, many turned to music for relief from the onslaught or,... Read more

December 7, 2016 Audio, Throwback

The Roots, Joell Ortiz & Busta Rhymes Take Their Shot & Deliver An Amazing Performance (Video)

Last night (December 5), The Roots, Joell Ortiz and Busta Rhymes hit Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show stage to perform their “Rise Up Remix" of the song “My Shot” from the recently-released The Hamilton Mixtape. Black Thought, Ortiz and Busta give a dramatic performance, providing a less story-driven rendition of Miranda’s... Read more

December 6, 2016 Video

Joell Ortiz & Chris Rivers Say What They Feel And Some Might Get Hurt (Audio)

Joell Ortiz, Chris Rivers, and Whispers have a close working relationship. These three New York City MCs share an affinity for hard-nosed, in-your-face raps that combine wit, arrogance, and a ton of swagger on the microphone. Teaming with a producer each work with often (Domingo), they go as hard as... Read more

November 30, 2016 Audio

Evil Dee & Joell Ortiz Give Ras Kass’ “Etc.” An East Coast KNOCK (Audio)

Earlier this year, Ras Kass celebrated the 20th anniversary of his debut album, Soul On Ice. The LP broke new ground by combining a deep dive into philosophy, religion and politics with true West Coast Gangsta Rap. Sadly, many of its themes of police brutality, racial oppression and divisiveness among... Read more

November 25, 2016 Audio

Domingo Enlists Legends Like Big Daddy Kane To Showcase Tomorrow’s Brightest MCs (Audio)

If you’re a fan of hard-hitting street anthems, you may be familiar with veteran Brooklyn, New York producer Domingo's work. His impressive list of collaborators includes Hip-Hop royalty like Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane and Sean Price. He has also worked with a plethora of other accomplished lyricists like... Read more

November 22, 2016 Audio

Black Thought, Busta Rhymes & Joell Ortiz Rise & Take Their Shot At Greatness (Audio)

Over the last year, the Broadway musical Hamilton has gone from critical darling to global phenomenon. The play, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, re-wrote the rules for theater, bringing Hip-Hop to the fore, and tossing historical conventions, using a multicultural cast to portray the country's White founding fathers. The Roots Confirm... Read more

November 4, 2016 Audio

Skyzoo & Joell Ortiz Look At Some Of The Costs Of A Couple Of Dollars (Video)

Tomorrow (September 30), Apollo Brown and Skyzoo will release their first collaborative album, The Easy Truth. As the Detroit, Michigan producer explained to Ambrosia For Heads this week, the easy truth is what we are all fed, left for us to decipher whether it is truly real or false. One... Read more

September 29, 2016 Food for Thought, Video