During an exclusive live chat on Reddit’s “Ask Me Anything”, Eminem answered a myriad of questions, but the most interesting was his pick for most underrated lyricist, which Mr. Mathers chose to keep “in-house”.
Slaughterhouse’s own Crooked I was Em’s choice for most underrated rapper of all time. Arguably, many people will debate his point, however, there’s no doubt that Crook’s lyrical ability isn’t fully recognized. Of all time/ maybe not that much.
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 MurderedBylyrics on episode #314 of his Joe Budden Podcast With Rory & Mal. At 20:00, Joe Budden, Rory, Mal, and Parks listened in on the Dr. Dre co-produced “Premonition” intro to Eminem’s 2020 LP. While Joe’s criticism of 2017’s Revival rollout became kindling in a fiery beef for the next year, the Slaughterhouse co-founder praised the new material. “I’ll tell ya one thing, buddy: that’s how you start a project,” Joe reacts. Minutes later, Budden continues, “People are gonna replay this album. This is the best we’ve heard him in a while—the best album we’ve heard from him [in a while].” Joe adds that he does not consider 2018’s Kamikaze to be a cohesive album as much as a response to critics. Eminem Has Just Dropped An Album Featuring Black Thought & Royce 5’9. Listen Here. However, Joe is alluded to on Music To Be Murdered By. At 47:00, Joe Budden waves off one diss on “I Will,” which features Royce 5’9, Kxng Crooked, and Joell Ortiz. Although not credited as a Slaughterhouse song, it marks the second appearance of the three active members of the group since 2018. Budden insists that while many listeners thought the song was going at Joe, he disagrees. “The Em line in that song, when he was tearing Lord Jamar’s ass up on old group flips, that led to ‘Your group is off the chain, but you’re the weakest link.‘ In a song featuring [members of] Slaughterhouse, I could see how that looked like it was about Joe. Joe says it was not. That’s about Lord Jamar, obviously, if you listen to the eight bars coming before it. You [listeners can] get your panties out the bunch.” On “Lock It Up,” which features Anderson .Paak, Eminem raps, “Try’na save at Kroger, so why would I give a f**k about back-stabbin’ Trader Joe for?” At 50:00, Budden reacts to the lyric which implies he is a traitor during some supermarket wordplay. “Trader Joe. That’s hurtful. [Laughs] That’s not right! [Laughing] That’s offensive, man. Trader Joe? I’m Joe. [Laughs] You’re telling me Joe is a traitor?” Budden and his co-hosts laugh at the lyric.
Joe Budden Flips Out On Eminem. He Says He’s Been Better Than Em For A Decade (Video) Two minutes later, at 52:00, Joe speaks more about his current status with Eminem. “The same way I feel like [Eminem] should stop dissing Lord Jamar, he should stop dissin’ me. [Laughs] Hey, whatever we had—that exchange when you did all the [multi-day interview segments with Sway Calloway], and whenever I said whatever I said on the pod’, it a moment in time. We had our exchange. It’s over. In 2020, I can’t harbor negativity not only towards one of the best rappers, but somebody I’m not angry at. That’s what I gotta stop doin’. I don’t be mad at the people I come in and kill. There’s no hostility after that.” “That’s why ‘Trader Joe‘ is hurtful a lil’ bit. Last week I was gonna come in here and play that [Kxng Crooked] record [‘I Luv Y’all’] where he said my name on a record.” The co-hosts say they were unaware of the song or the lyric from this month’s song, which pays homage to Above The Law’s “Black Superman.” “I know you didn’t [hear it], but he said my name on a record. I asked him. I tweeted him, ‘Why didn’t you ever say my name on a record when I was active?'” Budden says that his former band-mate suggests the energy has been different since the group disbanded. The podcast team say they love Crooked I. Joe agrees, adding, “You sensitive, but we love you.” Joe insists that he is at peace with everybody, including Kxng Crooked and Eminem. “I don’t have a problem with anybody.” The host continues, “Everybody has to do what’s best for them. Everybody has to move in a way that they see fit. So when it comes to [it], the word ‘traitor’ is just a little misleading. I have no beef with Em’; I have no problem with Em’. I’ve only ever had but so many conversations with Em’. I’ve been very consistent in my message though: the only problem or issue that I had was in how our business was set up. The end. Does that make me a bad guy? For having a different perspective for how the business should go or how we should be treated, or how we should be handled—especially when it’s our sh*t? Like, I know now, ownership is cool and all. But some of us were fighting for it then. I don’t think that should make me a traitor.” Joe Budden Says He Encouraged Slaughterhouse To Replace Him (Video) Parks the brings up Joe’s disparaging remarks about Eminem’s singles in 2017 while serving as a co-host on Everyday Struggle. “That’s surface. The deeper issue is I say ‘F*ck Paul [Rosenberg].’ And, f*ck Paul. I stand by ‘f*ck Paul’ only because of how loyal I am to Royce [5’9].” Joe is referring to Eminem’s longtime manager and business partner, Paul Rosenberg. “If you’re asking Joe Budden, I’m gonna always feel like Royce should be in a different position because of his alliance over there.” Mal says that he agrees with Budden. Joe continues, “I think that’s a Paul issue.” He re-states, “Why is Joe a traitor for doing what’s best for Joe?…My only beef with Em’ on the business relationship was his inability to adapt with the times and to separate brands. The end. There’s no ongoing [beef]. That’s it.” Before closing the subject, Eminem confronts a notion that he is purely money-motivated. “Then I seen some people on Twitter—[Slaughterhouse orchestrator and veteran rapper] Nino Bless was one of ’em, saying, ‘Let’s start calling Joe’s retirement what it is; he retired to chase money.’ Not fair. I don’t think that’s a fair assessment of Joe’s retirement! I was rappin’, chasin’ money too. [Laughs] I just didn’t get it; it didn’t work. When I stopped rapping, there wasn’t a dime coming from podcasting. We had no idea [that] podcasting was even about to balloon the way it was. So don’t say ‘Joe’s chasing money’ ’cause it worked. It’s not right, man.” Kxng Crooked Is Brutally Honest About The Breakup Of Slaughterhouse (Video) From there, the Saturday episode moves to other topics.
Kxng Crooked is the latest respected Hip-Hop lyricist to segue into driving dialogue in the music media. Recently, the Long Beach, California lyricist also known as Crooked I launched Crook’s Corner. Taking a concept from his hashtag of longstanding Hip-Hop discussions on social media with peers and fans, the MC has partnered with HipHopDX to host guests in conversations about Rap music and culture. Following a recent appearance by Tech N9ne, the C.O.B. O.G. welcomes his Slaughterhouse co-founder Royce 5’9 to the Corner. With the full episode arriving Saturday (June 1), a segment released previewing the discussion. “The most debated song, in my opinion, in Hip-Hop history, is ‘Renegade,'” Crooked I begins, referring to JAY-Z and Eminem’s 2001 Blueprint collaboration, embedded below. “That is a split down the middle: ‘JAY-Z had the best verse’ [versus] ‘Em’ washed JAY-Z on his own sh*t’ debate. That argument goes on forever.” Royce 5’9’s Most Powerful Song Of His Career Is A Call For Solidarity & Pride Crook’ points out that Royce 5’9 was originally on “Renegade,” before JAY-Z. That version of the Eminem-produced song is embedded below. “I was signed to Sony/Columbia [Records], and Marshall was executive producing my album. We were gonna do two songs that were gonna make the album.” The other song, “Rock City,” ended up on Royce’s debut LP of the same name, which eventually released independently in 2002. “Rock City” became a video single ahead of the album, even though both tracks had been recorded. “I just thought it was okay,” Royce recalls of “Renegade.” The track was made a few years removed from the pair’s Bad Meets Evil material in the late 1990s. “We had did so many songs together where we was just kind of rapping. I just thought it was okay, and it just one of them joints that was just kinda sitting.” Eminem called Royce some time later, expressing his desire to send the track to JAY-Z. “I’m such a fan of both. Jay is definitely one of those people that I definitely always wanted to see [Eminem] work with. So when he sent it to him, and he did it, that’s when it started sounding great to me,” Nickel Nine admits with a laugh. “I think what people are arguing is they’re arguing preference at that point. You’ve got two guys that do two different things, and they’re so good at what they do that they figured out a way to join the two worlds together. People who prefer JAY-Z’s content, what he talks about and the way that he approaches the beat, they’re always gonna say that he got the better verse—because they like his style of Rap better. But whether one is more lyrical than the other, like we said, it’s subjective.” Kxng Crooked Discusses The Times Hip-Hop Tried To Cancel Eminem & Defends Him At 2:50, Kxng Crooked asks Royce if he would like to “weigh in on that debate.” Nickel responds, “I don’t think it’s one of them kinda songs, man. I don’t think it’s one of those kinda songs ’cause it didn’t sound like they were trying to tear each other’s head off; they made a song. I mean, I prefer the way that Em’ attacked the beat a little bit better,” Royce admits. Crooked adds, “Yeah, his cadence was crazy on that.” Royce continues, “I’ve heard both of them go crazier, just on some super-lyrical sh*t.” Although 2018 saw the disbanding of Slaughterhouse, Royce, Kxng Crooked, and Joell Ortiz rapped together on the “Timberlan’d Up (Remix),” a free download supplement to Apollo Brown and Joell’s Mona Lisa album. Royce 5’9 Discusses His Relationship With J Dilla (Video) Notably, Royce 5’9 is currently producing a project from Kxng Crook’s proteges, Family Bvsiness (formerly Horseshoe Gang). Crooked confirmed the news during a recent and comprehensive sit-down with adam22 and the No Jumper Podcast. #BonusBeat: A playlist of JAY-Z and Eminem’s “Renegade” followed by the Royce 5’9 version:
While many Heads may have become fans of Kxng Crooked (fka Crooked I) during his time with Slaughterhouse, the Long Beach, California native had a significant fan-base as a solo artist all the way back to 1995. In fact, for a time he was the flagship artist of Death Row Records. However, after a frustrating and near fruitless stint on Suge Knight’s storied West Coast label, he really made his mark by starting the trend of dropping weekly freestyles/tracks. He launched the brilliant marketing campaign in the Spring of 2007 and ended it a year later. Yes, he dropped an impressive 52 joints in that span.
Now, a dozen years later, a rejuvenated Kxng Crooked is back on his weekly grind. He is already on his 11th installment of the 2019 run. This week’s edition is named after popular comic book character “Bishop,” who is a time-traveling mutant cop from the X-Men. This is fitting because these next level bars could easily be from the future.
Over a beat that borrows its loop from Ice Cube’ “Bird In The Hand,” Crooked catches bodies like they were falling from the sky. He makes sure to name-check Cube right at the start of his barrage as a “what up.” His delivery and lyrics are so aggressive that it almost feels like he’s in an URL battle.
He really hit the nails on the head when he kicks, “I rap like I started the whole Hip-Hop universe / Swallowed the God particle / And omitted a Nas article / I call an audible / The fans are gonna cheer / But the casual fans only want ‘the album of the year’ / And the purists only want an album with Premier / Meanwhile, I’m in Cali, khakis sagging on the pier / Like, what’s happening over here? / I only rap with juggernauts / Them other ni**as is scared, they studio doors double-lock / Picture that making my hustle stop / Still rocking wearing watches I can’t pronounce like this Hublot…Hublo / I don’t know.”
While many Heads may have become fans of Kxng Crooked (fka Crooked I) during his time with Slaughterhouse, the Long Beach, California native had a significant fan-base as a solo artist all the way back to 1995. In fact, for a time he was the flagship artist of Death Row Records. However, after a frustrating and near fruitless stint on Suge Knight’s storied West Coast label, he really made his mark by starting the trend of dropping weekly freestyles/tracks. He launched the brilliant marketing campaign in the Spring of 2007 and ended it a year later. Yes, he dropped an impressive 52 joints in that span.
Now, a dozen years later, a rejuvenated Kxng Crooked is back on his weekly grind. He is already on his 11th installment of the 2019 run. This week’s edition is named after popular comic book character “Bishop,” who is a time-traveling mutant cop from the X-Men. This is fitting because these next level bars could easily be from the future.
Over a beat that borrows its loop from Ice Cube’ “Bird In The Hand,” Crooked catches bodies like they were falling from the sky. He makes sure to name-check Cube right at the start of his barrage as a “what up.” His delivery and lyrics are so aggressive that it almost feels like he’s in an URL battle.
He really hit the nails on the head when he kicks, “I rap like I started the whole Hip-Hop universe / Swallowed the God particle / And omitted a Nas article / I call an audible / The fans are gonna cheer / But the casual fans only want ‘the album of the year’ / And the purists only want an album with Premier / Meanwhile, I’m in Cali, khakis sagging on the pier / Like, what’s happening over here? / I only rap with juggernauts / Them other ni**as is scared, they studio doors double-lock / Picture that making my hustle stop / Still rocking wearing watches I can’t pronounce like this Hublot…Hublo / I don’t know.”
Today (March 15), Drink Champs released its episode with Xzibit. Notably, another Southern California-based lyricist also guested on the show. Kxng Crooked (akaCrooked 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 the 2018 disbanding of Slaughterhouse.
Just under one year ago, the Long Beach, California MCmade an announcement that shocked some fans. “I’ve been sober for two years. Let me tell you a secret: sober Crook likes to rap. [Slaughterhouse] ain’t rapping [together] no more and that’s fine. It was fun while it lasted,” Crooked I told fans in a video published last April. He also addressed the group’s third album, which had been in the works for years. “Glass House, I have no clue. All I can tell you [is] it exists. If it comes out, I’ll retweet it. Other than that, it’s all love. Everybody who supported me in Slaughterhouse, thank you.”
Kxng Crooked joins the Xzibit conversation at the 1:03:00 mark. At 1:11:00, Crooked I is asked about Joe Budden’s impact on the group disbanding. The guest begins addressing Budden’s late 2017 remarks that eventually led to a high-profile beef with Eminem. “I just felt like [Joe Budden’s] approach was wrong. If you don’t like something, ‘It’s not for me,’ [or] ‘Yo, I don’t like it,’ [or], [Eminem’s] the homie, [but] this ain’t for me.’ But when you say something is ‘trash,’ you sh*t on Paul Rosenberg’s rollout, you’re taking it a little further.”
The guest continues, “And then I know the backstory; I know that there were some issues that [Joe Budden] felt against the label. You’re not giving [Eminem] a fair critique now, ’cause now you’ve got malice behind what you’re saying; it’s personal. My whole thing was like, just keep it a buck.”
Last year began with Eminem making a “Chloraseptic (Remix)” including new lyrics that many—including D12’s Bizarre—believed were in response to Joe Budden’s words. By last August’s sneak-attack album, Kamikaze, Eminem left nothing to suspicion. Less than a week after the release, Em showcased the “Fall” video, containing the bars, “Somebody tell Budden before I snap, he better fasten it or have his body bag get zipped / The closest thing he’s had to hits is smackin’ b*tches.”
In response to the album, Joe Budden released a fiery episode of his podcast. In addition to unpacking a history of tensions between he and Marshall surrounding the marketing, assistance, and creative input of Slaughterhouse, the retired MC alleged that he’d been a better rapper and than Eminem for the last decade. The host yelled his points throughout the episode, stating that he’d be willing to respond to Em’ in a song, if his opponent gave him something worth responding to.
Back on the new Drink Champs, Kxng Crooked points to that September podcast as evidence that these feelings had been seeded for some time. “Eventually, it came out with, ‘I felt like I was better than Em’ for [the last] 10 years,’ [and more].” Crooked asserts that Joe’s anger towards Em’ and label head Paul Rosenberg was not used in context for his scathing Revival criticism.
At 1:14:00, N.O.R.E. says that he possibly questions the merits of Budden’s argument regarding Rap superiority over the last decade. In response, Crooked I says, “Every MC is supposed to feel like they’re the best, so I’ll give [him] that. Now that you’ve said that, I think you’ve got to back it up with more than just a statement. ‘Cause Em’ came at you, where you at, Joe? You said that you was better than him for the past 10 years. He gave you a few bars. You gotta back it up now; you just said this. If you don’t back it up, I don’t think even you believe [it is true].” Xzibit, who has worked extensively with Eminem adds, “You can’t just say [you are not responding because of] retirement. All bets are off.”
Crooked I continues, questioning Joe Budden’s appreciation and loyalty to Eminem and Shady. “I feel like Joe forgot [about the helping hand] when he was saying what he was saying. I don’t forget solid sh*t; that’s just not how I’m cut.” He suggests that earlier, Budden needed help that Eminem and Shady provided. To further illustrate, Crook’ recalls an early 2000s meeting with Suge Knight and N.O.R.E. in a Manhattan recording studio. He says that he forever remembers Noreaga’s help in a time when the Death Row co-founder and star artist wanted to make sure they were safe on the East Coast. “I never forget solid sh*t. So I would think as long as Em’ and Paul didn’t cross him in some type of way, I would think [Joe Budden] would have enough respect to be like, ‘Yo, I ain’t gon’ step on the gas on this one.’”
At 1:18:00, Kxng Crooked reveals how Joe’s 2017 words ultimately botched plans for Glass House. “It definitely affected Slaughterhouse. Because me and Royce [5’9] was working behind the scenes, trying to get the [Glass House] album out to the people. [The ‘Untouchable] critique] was like a grenade; he took the pin out and tossed that b*tch,” says the guest with a chuckle.
Addressing Joe’s podcast points from last September, Kxng Crooked also defends Eminem’s input. Budden was critical of Eminem not giving the group the proper push, compared to 50 Cent, D12, and earlier Shady successes. “I believe we came in at a time on Shady where Em’ didn’t have to do so much sh*t. He was used to having one formula to make things rock. But that formula was changing with the times,” explains Crook. Last year, Joe was also critical of Eminem’s production, beat choices, and creative input on a group that had released one album before signing with Shady. In an interview with Sway Calloway produced by Shady, Eminem responded to those charges.
Crooked I seemingly agrees with Marshall. “So what Em’ did, he said, ‘Okay, that first round [with welcome to: OUR HOUSE], that’s on me. Y’all go back in and make another album, and I’ma just let y’all rock. Whatever y’all wanna do, handle it the way y’all want to handle it. Roll it out how you want to roll it out, just do you.’ We all agreed and went back into the lab.” It is here that the C.O.B. founder says he is most frustrated. “That’s my problem [with what happened]: if you agree to go back and record another album and give it another shot, why is we still talking about [welcome to: OUR HOUSE]?” Kxng Crooked seemingly suggests that Budden remained displeased with the group album, instead of seizing the opportunity surrounding a follow-up album. Moreover, the California veteran says he relocated to New York City for six weeks to work on that unreleased LP. “Then the team broke up.”
N.O.R.E. asks if the guest considered the group of four solo MCs “a brotherhood.” Kxng Crooked responds, “I thought it was. Then, at times, I say, ‘I don’t think it was.’” Moments later he says, “I’m just cut different; I got three Slaughterhouse tattoos. When it was goin’ down, if anybody was in trouble, I was there with ’em. It was just a different scenario.” N.O.R.E. and Crooked I bring up Joe Budden’s late 2000s beef with Wu-Tang Clan. Kxng Crooked admits that fallout from that short-lived beef involving a physical 2009 altercation with Raekwon, cost him relationships with his circle.
At 85:30, N.O.R.E. says that after witnessing the 2018 breakup of Slaughterhouse he has faith for a reunion. Royce, Crooked, and Joell worked together on the remix to “Timberlan’d Up” late last year. “I don’t think it’s over,” says the Capone-N-Noreaga co-founder. Quickly, Crook’ puts those notions to bed. “It’s a wrap on that one.”
At 1:03:00 Rory enters and joins. N.O.R.E. asks the new guest if there will be a Slaughterhouse again. “This is an ambush; I want to get this on record,” responds The Joe Budden Podcast co-host who previously worked at Def Jam and Sony Records. “I saw Crook’ outside; Crook’ is love all day. This is a total ambush; I just want to make that clear…Slaughterhouse is none of my business. Why would y’all ask me about Slaughterhouse?” He charges that Crooked I and Joe Budden’s relationship is an isolated situation. “I can’t objectively talk about Slaughterhouse. One of their members is family to me. That’s their business.”
Ten minutes later, at 1:13:00, Kxng Crooked brings up that the loyal fans will always ask about the group that nearly lasted a decade. “People want to know, that’s how strong the Slaughterhouse brand was.” “Not was, is,” corrects Rory. Moments later, the MC born Dominick Wickliffe reflects on his group. “I don’t know why it’s gone; I know the Em’ sh*t played a big part in it…” In the next breath, Crook’ affirms his loyalty to Eminem, who he worked with nearly a decade before Slaughterhouse.
At 1:55:00 N.O.R.E. asks Rory if he thinks Joe went too far with his Eminem criticism. “I think a lot of the things that Joe [was quoted as saying] were made up, if you go back and look at what he [actually] said on Everyday Struggle. I think it got blown out of proportion. I think a lot of sh*t went to [headlines].” He adds, “Just knowing Joe personally, and how much he loves Em’, and respects him, sh*t got blown outta proportion, dog.”
As Rory speaks, Xzibit shoots Crooked I a look. The LBC native interrupts, “He used the word ‘trash,’ and I think that was—” Rory interrupts, asking about the context of the word. Kxng Crooked states that it was in reference to “Untouchable.” “[Joe Budden] said, ‘It’s trash, throw it in the rice,’ or some sh*t. You know what Joe be sayin’. But yeah, I mean, that’s going too far.”
In response Rory aligns with his podcast co-host’s opinion. “I don’t think he was buggin’” Kxng Crooked interjects, “Well, I think he was. I know you don’t want to have that conversation, yeah, but my whole thing is, like I was sayin’, dog, if you got a lil’ issue with somebody, pass on the critique of their album and their singles. Because, how can you be fair? How can you come from a place where you’re just listening to it [while] setting your personal feelings to the side? I don’t think so.”
Crooked I continues, “See, me and Royce, we were very hands-on with Slaughterhouse. From the beginning to end…we really went in the trenches for Slaughterhouse. You get me? So when you go in the trenches like that, if you got a communication line with your brothers, then you talk to your brothers. ‘Yo, this is what I’m about to do. Is this gonna harm anything that you guys are doing to try and get Glass House out right now? ‘Cause I don’t like my time to be wasted. If I’m flying from Cali’ to New York, sittin’ in them offices, fighting for this Glass House sh*t, on my own time, let me know if you’re gonna throw a grenade at [somebody]. Just let me know, and I won’t get on that plane. You feel me?”
As Kxng Crooked finishes his sentence, Rory gets up and exits the room without a goodbye. With a belly-laugh, Kxng Crooked claims, “It got awkward.” Seconds later, the episode ends.
Earlier in the Drink Champs episode, Crooked I makes a powerful point about his former boss, Suge Knight. The once feared record exec, who is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence for the killing of Terry Carter, made the MC his flagship artist between late 1999 and the mid-2000s. Despite that tenure, Crooked I never released his Say Hi To The Bad Guy debut solo album while signed to the legendary label. Like Kurupt and Michel’le, he was also offered an executive position by the Compton, California native.
At 1:53:00, Kxng Crooked says, “He wanted to give me an exec job, at one point. I know Kurupt had a job.” N.O.R.E. suggests that Dame Dash bit from Knight when he appointed Cam’ron to be Roc-A-Fella Records’ president. “Suge is like this: ‘I’m gonna go meet with Lyor [Cohen], and I want you to learn the game and get your business IQ up, so I’m gonna take you with me. So you can just soak up game.’ That’s how Suge was. He wanted to do retirement funds for artists, he wanted to do [healthcare for artists]. But every time he tried to do something on that level, he got resistance from the powers that be. And sometimes that resistance comes in the form of the Feds knocking at your door.”
In 1996, the FBI reportedly investigated the label founded by Knight and Dr. Dre. The L.A. Times reported the probe the same month that label star Tupac Shakur was fatally wounded in Las Vegas, Nevada. Knight, who was with Pac during that incident and also hit with gunfire, was eventually sentenced to prison for violating probation that night. After Knight was released, in the early 2000s, the FBI raided Death Row’s Beverly Hills offices, and various properties, including Crooked I’s home.
Today (March 15), Drink Champs released its episode with Xzibit. Notably, another Southern California-based lyricist also guested on the show. Kxng Crooked (akaCrooked 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 the 2018 disbanding of Slaughterhouse.
Just under one year ago, the Long Beach, California MCmade an announcement that shocked some fans. “I’ve been sober for two years. Let me tell you a secret: sober Crook likes to rap. [Slaughterhouse] ain’t rapping [together] no more and that’s fine. It was fun while it lasted,” Crooked I told fans in a video published last April. He also addressed the group’s third album, which had been in the works for years. “Glass House, I have no clue. All I can tell you [is] it exists. If it comes out, I’ll retweet it. Other than that, it’s all love. Everybody who supported me in Slaughterhouse, thank you.”
Kxng Crooked joins the Xzibit conversation at the 1:03:00 mark. At 1:11:00, Crooked I is asked about Joe Budden’s impact on the group disbanding. The guest begins addressing Budden’s late 2017 remarks that eventually led to a high-profile beef with Eminem. “I just felt like [Joe Budden’s] approach was wrong. If you don’t like something, ‘It’s not for me,’ [or] ‘Yo, I don’t like it,’ [or], [Eminem’s] the homie, [but] this ain’t for me.’ But when you say something is ‘trash,’ you sh*t on Paul Rosenberg’s rollout, you’re taking it a little further.”
The guest continues, “And then I know the backstory; I know that there were some issues that [Joe Budden] felt against the label. You’re not giving [Eminem] a fair critique now, ’cause now you’ve got malice behind what you’re saying; it’s personal. My whole thing was like, just keep it a buck.”
Last year began with Eminem making a “Chloraseptic (Remix)” including new lyrics that many—including D12’s Bizarre—believed were in response to Joe Budden’s words. By last August’s sneak-attack album, Kamikaze, Eminem left nothing to suspicion. Less than a week after the release, Em showcased the “Fall” video, containing the bars, “Somebody tell Budden before I snap, he better fasten it or have his body bag get zipped / The closest thing he’s had to hits is smackin’ b*tches.”
In response to the album, Joe Budden released a fiery episode of his podcast. In addition to unpacking a history of tensions between he and Marshall surrounding the marketing, assistance, and creative input of Slaughterhouse, the retired MC alleged that he’d been a better rapper and than Eminem for the last decade. The host yelled his points throughout the episode, stating that he’d be willing to respond to Em’ in a song, if his opponent gave him something worth responding to.
Back on the new Drink Champs, Kxng Crooked points to that September podcast as evidence that these feelings had been seeded for some time. “Eventually, it came out with, ‘I felt like I was better than Em’ for [the last] 10 years,’ [and more].” Crooked asserts that Joe’s anger towards Em’ and label head Paul Rosenberg was not used in context for his scathing Revival criticism.
At 1:14:00, N.O.R.E. says that he possibly questions the merits of Budden’s argument regarding Rap superiority over the last decade. In response, Crooked I says, “Every MC is supposed to feel like they’re the best, so I’ll give [him] that. Now that you’ve said that, I think you’ve got to back it up with more than just a statement. ‘Cause Em’ came at you, where you at, Joe? You said that you was better than him for the past 10 years. He gave you a few bars. You gotta back it up now; you just said this. If you don’t back it up, I don’t think even you believe [it is true].” Xzibit, who has worked extensively with Eminem adds, “You can’t just say [you are not responding because of] retirement. All bets are off.”
Crooked I continues, questioning Joe Budden’s appreciation and loyalty to Eminem and Shady. “I feel like Joe forgot [about the helping hand] when he was saying what he was saying. I don’t forget solid sh*t; that’s just not how I’m cut.” He suggests that earlier, Budden needed help that Eminem and Shady provided. To further illustrate, Crook’ recalls an early 2000s meeting with Suge Knight and N.O.R.E. in a Manhattan recording studio. He says that he forever remembers Noreaga’s help in a time when the Death Row co-founder and star artist wanted to make sure they were safe on the East Coast. “I never forget solid sh*t. So I would think as long as Em’ and Paul didn’t cross him in some type of way, I would think [Joe Budden] would have enough respect to be like, ‘Yo, I ain’t gon’ step on the gas on this one.’”
At 1:18:00, Kxng Crooked reveals how Joe’s 2017 words ultimately botched plans for Glass House. “It definitely affected Slaughterhouse. Because me and Royce [5’9] was working behind the scenes, trying to get the [Glass House] album out to the people. [The ‘Untouchable] critique] was like a grenade; he took the pin out and tossed that b*tch,” says the guest with a chuckle.
Addressing Joe’s podcast points from last September, Kxng Crooked also defends Eminem’s input. Budden was critical of Eminem not giving the group the proper push, compared to 50 Cent, D12, and earlier Shady successes. “I believe we came in at a time on Shady where Em’ didn’t have to do so much sh*t. He was used to having one formula to make things rock. But that formula was changing with the times,” explains Crook. Last year, Joe was also critical of Eminem’s production, beat choices, and creative input on a group that had released one album before signing with Shady. In an interview with Sway Calloway produced by Shady, Eminem responded to those charges.
Crooked I seemingly agrees with Marshall. “So what Em’ did, he said, ‘Okay, that first round [with welcome to: OUR HOUSE], that’s on me. Y’all go back in and make another album, and I’ma just let y’all rock. Whatever y’all wanna do, handle it the way y’all want to handle it. Roll it out how you want to roll it out, just do you.’ We all agreed and went back into the lab.” It is here that the C.O.B. founder says he is most frustrated. “That’s my problem [with what happened]: if you agree to go back and record another album and give it another shot, why is we still talking about [welcome to: OUR HOUSE]?” Kxng Crooked seemingly suggests that Budden remained displeased with the group album, instead of seizing the opportunity surrounding a follow-up album. Moreover, the California veteran says he relocated to New York City for six weeks to work on that unreleased LP. “Then the team broke up.”
N.O.R.E. asks if the guest considered the group of four solo MCs “a brotherhood.” Kxng Crooked responds, “I thought it was. Then, at times, I say, ‘I don’t think it was.’” Moments later he says, “I’m just cut different; I got three Slaughterhouse tattoos. When it was goin’ down, if anybody was in trouble, I was there with ’em. It was just a different scenario.” N.O.R.E. and Crooked I bring up Joe Budden’s late 2000s beef with Wu-Tang Clan. Kxng Crooked admits that fallout from that short-lived beef involving a physical 2009 altercation with Raekwon, cost him relationships with his circle.
At 85:30, N.O.R.E. says that after witnessing the 2018 breakup of Slaughterhouse he has faith for a reunion. Royce, Crooked, and Joell worked together on the remix to “Timberlan’d Up” late last year. “I don’t think it’s over,” says the Capone-N-Noreaga co-founder. Quickly, Crook’ puts those notions to bed. “It’s a wrap on that one.”
At 1:03:00 Rory enters and joins. N.O.R.E. asks the new guest if there will be a Slaughterhouse again. “This is an ambush; I want to get this on record,” responds The Joe Budden Podcast co-host who previously worked at Def Jam and Sony Records. “I saw Crook’ outside; Crook’ is love all day. This is a total ambush; I just want to make that clear…Slaughterhouse is none of my business. Why would y’all ask me about Slaughterhouse?” He charges that Crooked I and Joe Budden’s relationship is an isolated situation. “I can’t objectively talk about Slaughterhouse. One of their members is family to me. That’s their business.”
Ten minutes later, at 1:13:00, Kxng Crooked brings up that the loyal fans will always ask about the group that nearly lasted a decade. “People want to know, that’s how strong the Slaughterhouse brand was.” “Not was, is,” corrects Rory. Moments later, the MC born Dominick Wickliffe reflects on his group. “I don’t know why it’s gone; I know the Em’ sh*t played a big part in it…” In the next breath, Crook’ affirms his loyalty to Eminem, who he worked with nearly a decade before Slaughterhouse.
At 1:55:00 N.O.R.E. asks Rory if he thinks Joe went too far with his Eminem criticism. “I think a lot of the things that Joe [was quoted as saying] were made up, if you go back and look at what he [actually] said on Everyday Struggle. I think it got blown out of proportion. I think a lot of sh*t went to [headlines].” He adds, “Just knowing Joe personally, and how much he loves Em’, and respects him, sh*t got blown outta proportion, dog.”
As Rory speaks, Xzibit shoots Crooked I a look. The LBC native interrupts, “He used the word ‘trash,’ and I think that was—” Rory interrupts, asking about the context of the word. Kxng Crooked states that it was in reference to “Untouchable.” “[Joe Budden] said, ‘It’s trash, throw it in the rice,’ or some sh*t. You know what Joe be sayin’. But yeah, I mean, that’s going too far.”
In response Rory aligns with his podcast co-host’s opinion. “I don’t think he was buggin’” Kxng Crooked interjects, “Well, I think he was. I know you don’t want to have that conversation, yeah, but my whole thing is, like I was sayin’, dog, if you got a lil’ issue with somebody, pass on the critique of their album and their singles. Because, how can you be fair? How can you come from a place where you’re just listening to it [while] setting your personal feelings to the side? I don’t think so.”
Crooked I continues, “See, me and Royce, we were very hands-on with Slaughterhouse. From the beginning to end…we really went in the trenches for Slaughterhouse. You get me? So when you go in the trenches like that, if you got a communication line with your brothers, then you talk to your brothers. ‘Yo, this is what I’m about to do. Is this gonna harm anything that you guys are doing to try and get Glass House out right now? ‘Cause I don’t like my time to be wasted. If I’m flying from Cali’ to New York, sittin’ in them offices, fighting for this Glass House sh*t, on my own time, let me know if you’re gonna throw a grenade at [somebody]. Just let me know, and I won’t get on that plane. You feel me?”
As Kxng Crooked finishes his sentence, Rory gets up and exits the room without a goodbye. With a belly-laugh, Kxng Crooked claims, “It got awkward.” Seconds later, the episode ends.
Earlier in the Drink Champs episode, Crooked I makes a powerful point about his former boss, Suge Knight. The once feared record exec, who is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence for the killing of Terry Carter, made the MC his flagship artist between late 1999 and the mid-2000s. Despite that tenure, Crooked I never released his Say Hi To The Bad Guy debut solo album while signed to the legendary label. Like Kurupt and Michel’le, he was also offered an executive position by the Compton, California native.
At 1:53:00, Kxng Crooked says, “He wanted to give me an exec job, at one point. I know Kurupt had a job.” N.O.R.E. suggests that Dame Dash bit from Knight when he appointed Cam’ron to be Roc-A-Fella Records’ president. “Suge is like this: ‘I’m gonna go meet with Lyor [Cohen], and I want you to learn the game and get your business IQ up, so I’m gonna take you with me. So you can just soak up game.’ That’s how Suge was. He wanted to do retirement funds for artists, he wanted to do [healthcare for artists]. But every time he tried to do something on that level, he got resistance from the powers that be. And sometimes that resistance comes in the form of the Feds knocking at your door.”
In 1996, the FBI reportedly investigated the label founded by Knight and Dr. Dre. The L.A. Times reported the probe the same month that label star Tupac Shakur was fatally wounded in Las Vegas, Nevada. Knight, who was with Pac during that incident and also hit with gunfire, was eventually sentenced to prison for violating probation that night. After Knight was released, in the early 2000s, the FBI raided Death Row’s Beverly Hills offices, and various properties, including Crooked I’s home.
KXNG Crooked has always been nice on the mic, but he’s not above paying respects to the greats who shaped his style. The SlaughterhouseMC formerly known as Crooked I just released a freestyle that would make Mobb Deep proud. Titled “Halfway Me,” the song is an homage to the Queensbridge duo’s “Shook Ones, Pt. II.” With its chorus line about “halfway crooks,” it is a thematic tribute over a beat that honors the Havoc-produced classic. The bars on this thing are just as noteworthy too.
“I move with some O.G. menaces / Crip-walking like O.T. Genasis,” the Circle Of Bosses head opens the track with. “Don’t sleep ’cause Long Beach infamous / Blow heat at the police witnesses / Don’t speak, we don’t need sentences / Both feat in the cold streets, pimp a h*e at the liquor store and we low-key / Yeah, ni**a rolled out agigolo but we so deep.”
Interestingly, Crooked had a short-lived beef with Prodigy when the Mobb MC was still in prison. A decade ago, in 2009, P took issue with Vibe magazine’s “Best Rapper Alive” feature, which mentioned Crooked. “Vibe says 920,000 people voted for it. I would personally b*tch-slap all 920,000 of these voters if given the opportunity,” Prodigywrote in a letter from prison, which was subsequently posted online. “Who in the f*ck picked Crooked I, Flo Rida and Rich Boy? How did Vibe approve this?” Crooked, after seeing the letter, challenged Prodigy to a fight after he would get out of prison. The two would squash their differences shortly after Prodigy was released. KXNG Crooked would also later make an Instagram tribute post to Prodigy after learning of his passing.
“Halfway Me” is the second installment of KXNG Crooked’s revived “Hip Hop Weekly” series. In 2007, the artist who was then in a period between Death Row Records and the formation of Slaughterhouse fed the digital masses on sites and blogs. He did so with a series of bars named after the magazine that lasted until early 2008. That plethora of free music ultimately set the veteran MC on a course that would lead him to a Shady Records deal and the top real estate on the charts.
#BonusBeat: Last week, Crook paid respects to Reasonable Doubt-era JAY-Z with “96 GS”:
KXNG Crooked has always been nice on the mic, but he’s not above paying respects to the greats who shaped his style. The SlaughterhouseMC formerly known as Crooked I just released a freestyle that would make Mobb Deep proud. Titled “Halfway Me,” the song is an homage to the Queensbridge duo’s “Shook Ones, Pt. II.” With its chorus line about “halfway crooks,” it is a thematic tribute over a beat that honors the Havoc-produced classic. The bars on this thing are just as noteworthy too.
“I move with some O.G. menaces / Crip-walking like O.T. Genasis,” the Circle Of Bosses head opens the track with. “Don’t sleep ’cause Long Beach infamous / Blow heat at the police witnesses / Don’t speak, we don’t need sentences / Both feat in the cold streets, pimp a h*e at the liquor store and we low-key / Yeah, ni**a rolled out agigolo but we so deep.”
Interestingly, Crooked had a short-lived beef with Prodigy when the Mobb MC was still in prison. A decade ago, in 2009, P took issue with Vibe magazine’s “Best Rapper Alive” feature, which mentioned Crooked. “Vibe says 920,000 people voted for it. I would personally b*tch-slap all 920,000 of these voters if given the opportunity,” Prodigywrote in a letter from prison, which was subsequently posted online. “Who in the f*ck picked Crooked I, Flo Rida and Rich Boy? How did Vibe approve this?” Crooked, after seeing the letter, challenged Prodigy to a fight after he would get out of prison. The two would squash their differences shortly after Prodigy was released. KXNG Crooked would also later make an Instagram tribute post to Prodigy after learning of his passing.
“Halfway Me” is the second installment of KXNG Crooked’s revived “Hip Hop Weekly” series. In 2007, the artist who was then in a period between Death Row Records and the formation of Slaughterhouse fed the digital masses on sites and blogs. He did so with a series of bars named after the magazine that lasted until early 2008. That plethora of free music ultimately set the veteran MC on a course that would lead him to a Shady Records deal and the top real estate on the charts.
#BonusBeat: Last week, Crook paid respects to Reasonable Doubt-era JAY-Z with “96 GS”:
