Slaughterhouse is back! Ok, well… half of the machine, as KXNG Crooked and Joell Ortiz have announced a joint EP called H.A.R.D.
Standing for Housing Authority Rap District, the project will be released on May 29th (via Mello Music Group) and feature production from !llmind, Erick Sermon, Apollo Brown, Heatmakerz, and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League.
“It felt great to catch up with my bro and chop it up! We’re like long lost cousins. Crook and I grew up 2,800 miles apart under the same conditions. Poverty, struggle, injustice, etc.,” Ortiz told Complex. “Whenever we get together we have rap discussions and world talks that almost always turn into legendary childhood stories. This time was no different, except, this time we ended up in the vocal booth.”
“All of this shit was meant to happen,” Crook adds. “2020 has been rough for a lot of people so I’m glad we can bless the culture with high art. One of my favorite things about this EP is the fact that I got to hang out with Fred the Godson during the creative process. I don’t think Joell would mind me speaking for him when I say this EP is dedicated to the loving memory of Fred. Hope y’all fuck with it.”
To help kick off the campaign, Crook and Joell–who met during the first (and still one of the best) XXL Freshman cover shoots–come through with the Heatmakerz-laced title track featuring MRK SX. Check it out below.
