''Welcome to: Our House'' (stylized as ''welcome to: OUR HOUSE'') is the second and final

studio album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...

hip hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hip- ...

supergroup

Slaughterhouse In livestock agriculture and the meat industry, a slaughterhouse, also called an abattoir (), is a facility where livestock animals are slaughtered to provide food. Slaughterhouses supply meat, which then becomes the responsibility of a mea ...

, consisting of

Crooked I Dominick Antron Wickliffe (born September 23, 1976), better known by his stage name Kxng Crooked, (stylised as KXNG Crooked and pronounced "King Crooked"; formerly Crooked I) is an American rapper from Long Beach, California. He formed the hip ho ...

Joe Budden Joseph Anthony Budden II (born August 31, 1980) is an American broadcaster and former rapper. He first gained recognition with his 2003 single " Pump It Up", which peaked in the top 40 of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and preceded the release of h ...

Joell Ortiz Joell Christopher Ortiz (born July 6, 1980) is an American rapper and former member of the group Slaughterhouse. Raised in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn's Cooper Park Houses, he first gained recognition after appearing in the Unsigned Hype colu ...

and

Royce da 5'9" Ryan Daniel Montgomery (born July 5, 1977), known professionally as Royce da 5'9" (or simply Royce 5'9"), is an American rapper. Best known for his association with fellow Detroit rapper Eminem, they became acquainted in 1997 and formed the hi ...

. The album was released on August 28, 2012 via

Shady Records Shady Records is an American record label founded by rapper Eminem and his manager Paul Rosenberg in 1999, following the commercially successful release of '' The Slim Shady LP'' that same year. The label's name comes from the last name of Eminem ...

Aftermath Entertainment Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by hip hop producer and rapper Dr. Dre in 1996. It operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed through Interscope Records. The label's roster includes artists ...

and

Interscope Records Interscope Records is an American record label based in Santa Monica, California, owned by Universal Music Group through its Interscope Geffen A&M imprint. Founded in late 1990 by Jimmy Iovine and Ted Field as a $20 million joint venture ...

. This would also be their only major label album before disbanding on April 26, 2018.

Background

On February 9, 2012, Crooked I, in an interview with '' XXL'', said that

Eminem Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), known professionally as Eminem, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time, he is credited with popula ...

has been confirmed to feature on the album and provide most of the production, and Royce later stated that Eminem would mix the album.

Alex da Kid Alexander Junior Grant (born 27 August 1983), professionally known as Alex da Kid or by.ALEXANDER, is a British music producer from Wood Green, London. He has gained recognition for producing several hit singles for artists of multiple music g ...

, The Alchemist, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and

No I.D. Ernest Dion Wilson (born June 23, 1971), known professionally as No I.D. (formerly Immenslope), is an American record producer, DJ and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. He is known for his early work with Chicago-based rapper Common, as well a ...

later were confirmed to produce on the album. The title of the album was announced in January 2012, before a tour that began on March 8 in

Dallas Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...

and concluded May 10 in

Nashville Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...

was also confirmed. Joe Budden has publicly said the group was abusing substances while recording the album.

Delay and mixtape

On June 4, on ''

106 & Park ''106 & Park'' is an American hip hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that was broadcast on weekdays at 6:00 pm ET/5:00 pm CT on BET; it aired on a one-day delay on BET International. It was the network's highest- rated ...

'', Royce Da 5'9 stated that the album has been pushed back till July 2012, instead of June 12. Further delays 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. 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

. 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.

Singles

On February 27, 2012

Funkmaster Flex Aston George Taylor Jr. (born August 5, 1967), professionally known as Funkmaster Flex, is an American DJ, rapper, record producer, and host on New York City's Hot 97 radio station. In 1992, he became host of the first hip hop radio show on Ho ...

premiered "Hammer Dance", the lead single from the album, on New York's

Hot 97 WQHT (97.1 FM, ''Hot 97'') is a commercial radio station, licensed to New York, New York, which broadcasts an urban contemporary music format. The station is owned by Mediaco Holding, a subsidiary of the Standard General hedge fund. WQHT's st ...

radio station. The song was produced by

AraabMuzik Abraham Orellana (born June 16, 1989), better known as his stage name AraabMuzik ( ; stylized as araabMUZIK), is an American record producer and DJ. He made a name for himself by performing beats and instrumentals live and in real time on a Ak ...

. On March 13, the song was released through

iTunes iTunes is a media player, media library, and mobile device management (MDM) utility developed by Apple. It is used to purchase, play, download and organize digital multimedia on personal computers running the macOS and Windows operating s ...

. 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. The song was released on iTunes on May 15, 2012. 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 Kasseem Daoud Dean (born September 13, 1978), known professionally as Swizz Beatz, is an American rapper and record producer. Born and raised in the Bronx borough of New York City, Dean embarked on his musical career as a DJ in 1994. At the age ...

and production from

Mr. Porter Denaun Montez Porter (born December 7, 1978), also known by the stage names Mr. Porter, Kon Artis, or Denaun, is an American rapper and record producer. He was a member of Detroit hip hop group D12. He has a close association with rapper Emin ...

. The single was later available to purchase on

, on July 2, 2012. A video for the single was released on August 31, 2012. 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 Matthew Jehu Samuels (born October 12, 1986), known professionally as Boi-1da (a play on Boy Wonder) is a Canadian record producer and songwriter based in Toronto, Ontario. He is an in-house producer for Drake's OVO Sound label and has prod ...

. "Goodbye" premiered on

Shade 45 Shade 45 is American rapper Eminem's hip-hop station on Sirius XM Radio channel 45 and Dish Network channel 6045. History Eminem established his channel, Shade 45, that plays uncut hip-hop. Eminem also established a new morning show, ''Sway in t ...

on August 9, 2012, during an interview with the group and Eminem. On August 14, the single was released on iTunes for digital download. On August 21, 2012 the fifth single, Throw That which features their

executive producer Executive producer (EP) is one of the top positions in the production of media. Depending on the medium, the executive producer may be concerned with management accounting or associated with legal issues (like copyrights or royalties). In film ...

Eminem, was released for digital download on iTunes.

Guest appearances

On August 4, 2012, the track listing was confirmed with the guests appearances. Notably, Shady records label head

appears on three tracks. Joining Mr. Mathers are Cee Lo Green,

Busta Rhymes Trevor George Smith Jr. (born May 20, 1972), known professionally as Busta Rhymes, is an American rapper, singer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the moniker Busta Rhymes, after National Football League, NFL and Canadian Football Lea ...

Skylar Grey Holly Brook Hafermann (born February 23, 1986), known professionally as Skylar Grey, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. In 2004, Grey signed a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group and a recording contract w ...

and

B.o.B Bobby Ray Simmons Jr. (born November 15, 1988), known professionally as B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Raised in Decatur, Georgia, Simmons signed with record producer Jim Jonsin's Rebel Rock Entertainm ...

. The producers on the album are

, Streetrunner, Sarom,

, The Alchemist, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League,

Hit-Boy Chauncey Alexander Hollis Jr. (born May 21, 1987), known professionally as Hit-Boy, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He first signed with fellow producer Polow da Don in 2007 as in-house production staff for his l ...

, T-Minus, Black Key, Zukhan, Kane Beatz, and

as the

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. As of September 30, 2012, it has sold 80,000 copies in the US. As of January 2016, the album has sold 200,000 copies in the United States.

Critical response

''Welcome to: Our House'' received generally positive reviews from contemporary

music critics Music journalism (or music criticism) is media criticism and reporting about music topics, including popular music, classical music, and traditional music. Journalists began writing about music in the eighteenth century, providing commentary on ...

. At

Metacritic Metacritic is an American website that aggregates reviews of films, television shows, music albums, video games, and formerly books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created ...

, which assigns a

normalized Normalization or normalisation refers to a process that makes something more normal or regular. Science * Normalization process theory, a sociological theory of the implementation of new technologies or innovations * Normalization model, used in ...

rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an

average In colloquial, ordinary language, an average is a single number or value that best represents a set of data. The type of average taken as most typically representative of a list of numbers is the arithmetic mean the sum of the numbers divided by ...

score of 70, which indicates "generally favorable reviews", based on 10 reviews. 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." 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." In a mixed review, written by Jody RosenThe from the

magazine A magazine is a periodical literature, periodical publication, print or digital, produced on a regular schedule, that contains any of a variety of subject-oriented textual and visual content (media), content forms. Magazines are generally fin ...

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known fo ...

, was said "the group's second LP is a showcase for gritty traditionalism". The review had the lowest score.

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

'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." On September 5, 2012, Mark Bozzer from Canadian music magazine

Exclaim! ''Exclaim!'' is a Canadian music and entertainment publisher based in Toronto, which features coverage of new music across all genres with a special focus on Canadian and emerging artists. The monthly ''Exclaim!'' print magazine publishes seven ...

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." 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." Music magazine

Spin Spin or spinning most often refers to: * Spin (physics) or particle spin, a fundamental property of elementary particles * Spin quantum number, a number which defines the value of a particle's spin * Spinning (textiles), the creation of yarn or thr ...

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." 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."

Track listing

;Notes * signifies an additional producer. * signifies a co-producer. ; Sample credits * "Hammer Dance" samples "

Falling Away from Me "Falling Away from Me" is a song by American nu metal band Korn. It was released as the first single from their fourth album '' Issues'', debuting in an episode of Comedy Central's animated series ''South Park'', entitled " Korn's Groovy Pirate G ...

" performed by

Korn Korn (stylized as KoЯn) is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, originally formed in 1993 by James Shaffer, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald Arvizu, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu and David Silveria, who were members of the band ...

. * "Get Up" samples "Ali In the Jungle" performed by The Hours. * "My Life" samples "

The Rhythm of the Night "The Rhythm of the Night" is a song by Italian Eurodance group Corona. It was released as their debut single in 1993 in Italy, then elsewhere the following year. The song is the title track of the group's debut studio album of the same name ( ...

" performed by

Corona Corona (from the Latin for 'crown') most commonly refers to: * Stellar corona, the outer atmosphere of the Sun or another star * Corona (beer), a Mexican beer * Corona, informal term for the coronavirus or disease responsible for the COVID-19 ...

. * "Flip a Bird" samples "Little Bird" performed by

Imogen Heap Imogen Jennifer Jane Heap ( ; born 9 December 1977) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur. She is considered a pioneer in pop music, particularly electropop, and in music technology. While attending the ...

. * "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 Band of Skulls are an English rock band from Southampton, fronted by Russell Marsden (guitar, vocals). Emma Richardson ( bass, vocals; 2002–2021) and Matt Hayward (drums; 2002–2016) were previously members. The group formed after meeting i ...

Personnel

Credits for ''Welcome to: Our House'' adapted from

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

. * M. Aiello - Composer *

- Producer * Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu - Composer * Black Key Beats - Producer *

- Producer * T-Minus - Producer * F. Bontempi - Composer * Cullen Brooks - Assistant Engineer * Matthew Burnett - Additional Production, Composer *

- Featured Artist * Tony Campana - Engineer * J. Coleman - Composer *

Jonathan Davis Jonathan Howsmon Davis (born January 18, 1971), also known as JD, is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is the lead vocalist and frontman of nu metal band Korn, which is considered a pioneering act of the nu metal genre. Davis's ...

- Composer * James "Munky" Shaffer - Composer * Mickey Davis - Engineer *

Denaun Denaun Montez Porter (born December 7, 1978), also known by the stage names Mr. Porter, Kon Artis, or Denaun, is an American rapper and record producer. He was a member of Detroit hip hop group D12. He has a close association with rapper Emin ...

- Vocals, Producer * Dennis Dennehy - Marketing, Publicity * Raymond "Sarom" Diaz - Producer * DJ Mormile - A&R *

- 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 *

- Featured Artist *

Cee-Lo Green Thomas DeCarlo Callaway-Burton (born May 30, 1975), known professionally as CeeLo Green (or Cee Lo Green or simply Cee-Lo), is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Green came to initial pr ...

- Featured Artist *

- Featured Artist, Composer * Chad Griffith - Photography *

- Producer * Stephanie Hsu - Creative Art * Tony "56" Jackson - Keyboards * J-MIKE - Producer * Joe Strange - Assistant Engineer, Engineer * D. Johnson - Composer * Selena Jordan - Vocals * Sly Jordan - Composer, Vocals * Kane Beatz - Producer *

Alex Da Kid Alexander Junior Grant (born 27 August 1983), professionally known as Alex da Kid or by.ALEXANDER, is a British music producer from Wood Green, London. He has gained recognition for producing several hit singles for artists of multiple music g ...

- Mixing, Producer * Marc Labelle - Project Coordinator * Edgar Luna - Engineer * M. Gaffey - Composer * Deborah Mannis-Gardner - Sample Clearance *

Graham Marsh Graham Vivian Marsh MBE (born 14 January 1944) is an Australian golfer. In 1968, Marsh turned pro and won several tournaments on the Australasian circuits early in his career. He joined the PGA Tour in the mid-1970s and won the 1977 Heritage ...

- Engineer *

Marvwon Marvin Eugene O'Neal, known by his stage name Marv Won, is an American rapper and record producer from Detroit, Michigan. He is a member of the underground hip hop group, The Fat Killahz (with Fatt Father, Bang Belushi and King Gordy) and rap du ...

- Rap * Justine Massa - Creative Coordinator * Maven Boys - Producer * Alex Merzin - Engineer * R. Montgomery - Composer * Riggs Morales - A&R *

- Producer * J. Ortiz - Composer * Dart Parker - A&R * 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 * Manny Smith - A&R * T. Smith - Composer * G. Spagna - Composer * Miguel Starcevich - Back Cover Photo * Mike Strange - Engineer, Keyboards, Mixing * N. "Streetrunner" Warwar - Composer, Producer *

- Featured Artist * Brian "Head" Welch - Composer * Ryan West - Mixing * D. Wickliffe - Composer

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Release history

References

{{Authority control 2012 albums Albums produced by Alex da Kid Albums produced by AraabMuzik Albums produced by Boi-1da Albums produced by Mr. Porter Albums produced by Eminem Albums produced by Hit-Boy Albums produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League Albums produced by No I.D. Albums produced by T-Minus (producer) Interscope Records albums Shady Records albums Slaughterhouse (group) albums