Joell Ortiz
{{Short description|American rapper (born 1980)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Joell Ortiz
| background = solo_singer
| image = Joell Ortiz at Amager Bio 13.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Ortiz performing in Amager, Denmark in October 2007
| birth_name = Joell Christopher Ortiz
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1980|7|6}}
| birth_place = Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
| genre = East Coast hip hop
| discography = Joell Ortiz discography
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Rapper
- songwriter
}}
| years_active = 1998-present
| label = {{hlist|
E1|Penalty|Aftermath|Rawkus|Mello}}
| past_member_of = Slaughterhouse
| website = {{URL|www.joellortiz.com}}
}}
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 column of The Source Magazine, as well as on the Chairman's Choice list on XXL Magazine.
During this time, Ortiz also competed in and won the 2004 EA Sports Battle, which earned his song "Mean Business" a spot on the NBA Live 2005 soundtrack. He was offered a recording contract to Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings, but signed with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, an imprint of Interscope Records in 2006. Despite this, his debut studio album, The Brick: Bodega Chronicles (2007), was released independently, along with his subsequent albums Free Agent (2011), House Slippers (2014) and Monday (2019).{{cite web |last1=Montes |first1=Patrick |title=Joell Ortiz Taps Big K.R.I.T. for "Learn You" & Announces New Album 'Monday' |url=https://hypebeast.com/2019/6/joell-ortiz-big-krit-learn-you-song-stream-monday-new-album |website=hypebeast|date=June 26, 2019 }} In 2022, he formed the rap duo Crook and Joell with former Slaughterhouse bandmate Kxng Crooked; they have released three studio albums.{{cite web | url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kxng-crooked-and-joell-ortiz-are-fielding-suggestions-for-the-name-of-their-duo-news.157503.html | title=KXNG Crooked & Joell Ortiz Are Fielding Suggestions for the Name of Their Duo | website=HNHH | date=September 7, 2022 }}
Biography
Joell Christopher Ortiz{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/performer/JOELL%20ORTIZ|title=ACE Repertory: JOELL CHRISTOPHER ORTIZ|publisher=ASCAP|access-date=December 25, 2017}} was born to Puerto Rican parents in Brooklyn, New York on July 6, 1980, where he grew up in East Williamsburg. He was formerly signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment record label.{{cite web|url=http://www.latinpost.com/articles/21712/20140917/puerto-rican-slaughterhouse-rapper-joell-ortiz-incorporates-healthy-sober-lifestyle.htm |title=Puerto Rican Slaughterhouse Rapper Joell Ortiz Incorporates Healthy, Sober Lifestyle Into 'House Slippers' Album : Entertainment |publisher=Latin Post|date=September 17, 2014|access-date=July 14, 2015}}{{cite web|author=ahale|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.6304/title.joell-ortiz-no-longer-with-aftermath |title=Joell Ortiz No Longer With Aftermath | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales|publisher=HipHopDX|date=January 30, 2008|access-date=July 14, 2015}}
He was featured in the Unsigned Hype column of the March 2004 issue of The Source Magazine and was also selected as Chairman's Choice in XXL Magazine.{{cite web|url=http://theboombox.com/happy-birthday-joell-ortiz|title=Happy Birthday, Joell Ortiz!|date=July 6, 2015 |publisher=Theboombox.com|access-date=July 14, 2015}} During the same time Joell also went on to win the 2004 EA Sports Battle which earned his song "Mean Business" a spot on the NBA Live 2005 soundtrack.{{cite web|last=Chalifoux|first=Jordan|url=http://formatmag.com/features/joell-ortiz|title=Joell Ortiz|publisher=Formatmag.com|date=January 29, 2007|access-date=July 14, 2015|archive-date=July 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714084654/http://formatmag.com/features/joell-ortiz/|url-status=dead}}
The same year he was offered a contract to Jermaine Dupri's So So Def label. The deal quickly went sour which caused Joell to start beef with Jermaine. Joell has since collaborated with KRS-One and Kool G. Rap.{{cite web|url=http://www.thestateofhiphop.com/joell-ortiz-interview.html|title=Joell Ortiz on Signing with Violator, Writing and More|publisher=Thestateofhiphop.com|access-date=July 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211200855/http://www.thestateofhiphop.com/joell-ortiz-interview.html|archive-date=December 11, 2013|url-status=dead}}
Joell released his street album called The Brick: Bodega Chronicles April 24, 2007, on Koch Records. The album was recorded while Joell was trying to get signed and going through some tough times personally.{{cite web|author=Staff|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-brick-bodega-chronicles-mw0000776661|title=The Brick: Bodega Chronicles - Joell Ortiz|publisher=AllMusic|date=February 27, 2007|access-date=July 14, 2015}}
Although he was signed to Aftermath Entertainment, Dr. Dre allowed him to release the street album on Koch Records. The Brick features production by Showbiz, The Alchemist, Domingo, Ho Chi from Killahertz Productions, Lil' Fame of M.O.P., Novel, and Moss, among others. Guest spots include Big Daddy Kane, Styles P, Big Noyd, M.O.P, Akon, Immortal Technique, Grafh, Ras Kass, Stimuli, and Novel.
Ortiz is one quarter of the supergroup Slaughterhouse who released their highly anticipated Slaughterhouse EP on February 8, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/slaughterhouse-ep/414201733|title=Slaughterhouse - EP by Slaughterhouse|publisher=iTunes|date=February 8, 2011|access-date=July 14, 2015}} The group released their second studio album, Welcome to: Our House, on August 28, 2012.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/welcome-to-our-house-deluxe-version/1440810440|title=iTunes - Music - Welcome To: Our House (Deluxe Version) by Slaughterhouse|publisher=iTunes|date=August 28, 2012|access-date=July 14, 2015}}
Music career
Ortiz first appeared on Kool G Rap's 2002 album The Giancana Story on the track "It's Nothing".
=2007–2010: ''The Brick: Bodega Chronicles'' and joining Slaughterhouse=
Although signed to Aftermath Records, Ortiz released an album titled The Brick: Bodega Chronicles April 24, 2007 on Koch Records (which would subsequently rebrand to E1).XXL Magazine. Joell Ortiz: A Hip-Hop Happy Ending by Brandon Edwards. November 2007 The Brick features production by Showbiz, Street Radio, and The Alchemist, among others. Guest artists include rappers Big Daddy Kane, Styles P, Big Noyd, Akon, Immortal Technique, Grafh, and Ras Kass.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-brick-bodega-chronicles-mw0000776661|title=The Brick: Bodega Chronicles|publisher=AllMusic|date=February 27, 2007|access-date=April 4, 2016}} Ortiz parted ways with Aftermath Entertainment on April 15, 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.defsounds.com/news/Joell_ortiz_speaks_on_leaving_aftermath|title=Joell Ortiz Speaks On Leaving Aftermath|publisher=Defsounds.com|date=January 31, 2008|access-date=November 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509162939/http://www.defsounds.com/news/Joell_ortiz_speaks_on_leaving_aftermath|archive-date=May 9, 2009|url-status=dead}}
2009 was an eventful year for Ortiz, as he released a number of freestyles and remixes leading up to the Road Kill mixtape.{{cite web|url=http://nahright.com/2009/12/15/joell-ortiz-frequency-road-kill-mixtape/ |title=Joell Ortiz & Frequency – Road Kill (Mixtape) |publisher=Nah Right |date=December 15, 2009 |access-date=April 4, 2016}} Among these was "Stressful" a song that remixed Drake's "Successful."{{cite web|last=Leps|first=Jeanne|url=http://uproxx.com/smokingsection/joell-ortiz-novel-stressful|title=Joell Ortiz & Novel – "Stressful"|publisher=Uproxx.com|access-date=April 4, 2016}}
In 2008, fellow East Coast rapper Joe Budden reached out Ortiz, as well as Crooked I, Royce da 5'9", and Nino Bless for a track titled "Slaughterhouse" on his digital release, Halfway House.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=53509|title=FEATURE: Crooked I, The Freestyler[Definitive Dozen|publisher=Xxlmag.com|date=August 14, 2009|access-date=March 30, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223013748/http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=53509|archive-date=December 23, 2009}} Based on the positive reception of the track, they decided to form a supergroup, minus Nino Bless, and named it after this song. They released numerous songs throughout early 2009, building a buzz for their self-titled album which was released through E1 on August 11, 2009.{{cite web|last=Jeffries|first=David|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r1596722|pure_url=yes}}|title=Slaughterhouse|publisher=AllMusic|date=August 11, 2009|access-date=November 11, 2010}} The album features production from Alchemist, DJ Khalil and Mr. Porter, plus guest appearances from Pharoahe Monch, K-Young, and The New Royales.{{cite web|last=Kuperstein|first=Slava|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/reviews/id.1237/title.slaughterhouse-self-titled|title=Read Hip Hop Reviews, Rap Reviews & Hip Hop Album Reviews|publisher=HipHopDX|date=August 10, 2009|access-date=November 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723074102/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/reviews/id.1237/title.slaughterhouse-self-titled|archive-date=July 23, 2010|url-status=dead}} In January 2011, the group signed to Shady Records and left E1 Entertainment.{{cite web|author=mtv |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1655811/eminem-signs-slaughterhouse-yelawolf-to-shady-records/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912031034/http://www.mtv.com/news/1655811/eminem-signs-slaughterhouse-yelawolf-to-shady-records/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 12, 2014 |title=Eminem Signs Slaughterhouse, Yelawolf To Shady Records |publisher=MTV |date=January 12, 2011 |access-date=July 14, 2015}}
=2010–2014: ''Free Agent'' and ''House Slippers''=
Conflict soon arose between Ortiz and his label, E1 Entertainment, and after almost a year, Ortiz left the label on November 5, 2010.{{cite web|last=Langhorne|first=Cyrus|url=http://www.sohh.com/2010/03/joell_ortiz_disses_slaughterhouses_recor.html|title=Joell Ortiz Disses Slaughterhouse's Record Label, "E1 Is F*cking C*ckblocking Us From Doing Something Monumental"|publisher=Sohh.Com|date=March 23, 2010|access-date=November 11, 2010|archive-date=April 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417171042/http://www.sohh.com/2010/03/joell_ortiz_disses_slaughterhouses_recor.html|url-status=dead}} In August 2010, Ortiz was in talks, about signing a deal with Steve Rifkind's label SRC Records. However the deal was never finished.{{cite web|author=ajacobs|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.12093/title.steve-rifkind-hints-at-joell-ortiz-signing-to-src-records|title=Steve Rifkind Hints At Joell Ortiz Signing To SRC Records|publisher=HipHopDX|date=August 31, 2010|access-date=July 14, 2015}}
In an October 31, 2010, interview on Conspiracy Worldwide Radio, Ortiz discussed his relationship with Eminem and the flood of record labels that have flocked to sign him after his Free Agent album was released. He also spoke of Eminem's excitement at working with him.{{cite web|url=http://conspiracyworldwide.podomatic.com/entry/index/2010-10-30T08_58_34-07_00|title=Joell Ortiz discusses Eminem Oct 31st Uncensored Radio Interview|publisher=Conspiracyworldwide.podomatic.com|date=October 30, 2010|access-date=November 11, 2010|archive-date=November 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102161116/http://conspiracyworldwide.podomatic.com/entry/index/2010-10-30T08_58_34-07_00|url-status=dead}}
During Slaughterhouse 2012 tour, the group stopped in Las Vegas, Nevada at Bootleg Kev's radio show, where they talked about their album Welcome to: Our House, and their work with Eminem. It was revealed that Ortiz signed with Shady Records as a solo act.{{cite web|url=http://rapradar.com/2012/04/18/bootleg-kev-interviews-slaughterhouse|title=Bootleg Kev Interviews Slaughterhouse - Rap Radar|work=Rap Radar|date=April 18, 2012 |access-date=March 11, 2015}} In 2012, Joell as part of the group Slaughterhouse released their second album Welcome To Our House on August 28, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.20282/title.eminem-reveals-slaughterhouse-album-release-date-talks-beastie-boys/|title=Eminem Reveals Slaughterhouse Album Release Date & Talks Beastie Boys|author=HipHopDX|date=July 1, 2012|work=HipHopDX|access-date=March 11, 2015}}
On September 16, 2014, Ortiz released his third studio album House Slippers. The album features guest appearances from, among others, B.o.B, Royce da 5'9", Joe Budden, Crooked I, and Maino. The album was supported by the singles "House Slippers" and "Music Saved My Life".{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.2344/title.joell-ortiz-house-slippers|title=Joell Ortiz - House Slippers|work=HipHopDX|access-date=September 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920194614/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.2344/title.joell-ortiz-house-slippers|archive-date=September 20, 2014|url-status=dead}}
In early 2019, before the release of his Monday album, Ortiz was featured in the song "Revenge"{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EAuandufiU&list=PLvnW_f0MjqeIChZXrcrWzZIQIMwncR9aV | title=Cryptik Soul - Revenge ft. Slaughterhouse & the Styles of L (Lyric Video) | website=YouTube | date=February 2019 }} (along with fellow Slaughterhouse member Crooked I) on Cryptik Soul’s album Killer's Blood.{{cite web | url=https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvnW_f0MjqeIkxZhnI7LJaM0vbGPtodN7&si=x___u3dBJcK7rVbZ | title=Killer's Blood | website=YouTube }} Among the other artists on whose songs he has appeared as a featured guest are Brother Ali, Mega Ran, Mr. Capone-E, Playboy Tre and Chan Hays.
Controversy
Following the release of his 2011 song "Big Pun Back", Ortiz received criticism from Liza Rios (Pun's widow), along with former Terror Squad members Cuban Link and Tony Sunshine, claiming that the song was "disrespectful" to the late rapper's memory. Ortiz claims the song was meant to be a tribute, and later, rapper and friend of Big Pun Fat Joe spoke up in his defense.{{cite web|last=Horowitz|first=Stephen|title=Joell Ortiz Addresses "Big Pun's Back" Controversy|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.15550/title.joell-ortiz-addresses-big-puns-back-controversy|work=Blog Article|publisher=Hip Hop Dx|access-date=October 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902035600/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.15550/title.joell-ortiz-addresses-big-puns-back-controversy|archive-date=September 2, 2011|url-status=dead}}
Discography
{{Main|Joell Ortiz discography}}
=Studio albums=
- The Brick: Bodega Chronicles (2007)
- Free Agent (2011)
- House Slippers (2014)
- That's Hip Hop (2016){{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/thats-hip-hop/id1084128855 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309051233/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/thats-hip-hop/id1084128855 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 9, 2016 |title=That's Hip Hop by Joell Ortiz on iTunes |publisher=iTunes |access-date=March 8, 2016}}
- Monday (2019){{cite web |last1=Patrick |first1=Montes |title=Joell Ortiz Taps Big K.R.I.T. for "Learn You" & Announces New Album 'Monday' |url=https://hypebeast.com/2019/6/joell-ortiz-big-krit-learn-you-song-stream-monday-new-album |website=hypebeast|date=June 26, 2019 }}
- Autograph (2021)
=Collaborative albums=
- Slaughterhouse {{small|(with Slaughterhouse)}} (2009)
- Welcome to: Our House {{small|(with Slaughterhouse)}} (2012)
- Human {{small|(with Illmind)}} (2015)
- Mona Lisa {{small|(with Apollo Brown)}} (2018)
- Gorilla Glue {{small|(with Fred the Godson & The Heatmakerz)}} (2019)
- H.A.R.D. {{small|(with KXNG Crooked)}} (2020)
- Rise & Fall of Slaughterhouse {{small|(with KXNG Crooked)}} (2022) {{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/rise-fall-of-slaughterhouse/1613722350|title=KXNG Crooked & Joell Ortiz - Rise & Fall of Slaughterhouse |publisher=Apple Music |accessdate= March 11, 2022}}
- Harbor City Season One {{small|(with KXNG Crooked)}} (2022)
- JFKLAX {{small|(with KXNG Crooked)}} (2023)
- Signature {{small|(with L'Orange)}} (2023)
- Prosper {{small|(with KXNG Crooked)}} (2023)
- Tapestry {{small|(with KXNG Crooked)}} (2024)
- W.A.R. (With All Respect) {{small|(with The Heatmakerz)}} (2024)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Joell Ortiz}}
- {{Official website}}
{{Joell Ortiz}}
{{Slaughterhouse}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ortiz, Joell}}
Category:Aftermath Entertainment artists
Category:American musicians of Puerto Rican descent
Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians
Category:Rappers from Brooklyn
Category:Slaughterhouse (group) members
Category:20th-century American rappers