In the rap game, you’ve got to have a good label behind you to be a truly dominant MC. While Eminem has clearly succeeded even as his Shady Records didn’t fare so well, everyone’s favorite white rapper is taking another shot at building his empire.  The first step, it seems, is announcing the “new generation of Shady Records” by signing Yelawolf and hip-hop super group Slaughterhouse (former running buddy Royce da 5’9″, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, and Crooked I) to his imprint, which is already the home of acts like D12 and Cashis.

To celebrate their recent partnership (not to mention cover story on XXL), all six MCs collaborated on a track called “2.0 Boys”, which you can check out below (via Rap-Up.com). With a (surprise surprise) intense beat, Em reveals the newly-reinvigorated label’s master plan, rapping, “We came to monopolize the game, Illuminati is here/ Yeah, human oddities and odds with us just what’s gotta be.” See, change can be a good thing.

With not one, not two, but three total premieres from The Kickdrums thus far, we were starting to think that the duo of Alex Fitts and Matt Pentilla would never get around to dropping a actual new release. All that, however, changes with the Something’s Gotta Give EP, which drops on iTunes on February 21st via 11 Inch Records. The EP will feature two new songs, “Something’s Gotta Give” and “We Can’t Go Home Anymore My Love”, along with remixes of the title track by Kutcorners, Emynd of Philadelphia-based Crossfaded Bacon crew, Fool’s Gold’s Sammy Bananas, and others. In the meantime, you can check out several tracks and remixes by The Kickdrums in a mix called That’s Them! , which just so happens to have been organized by 11 Inch Records head DJ Eleven. Head here to grab the mix, and check out the full tracklist below.

That’s Them! Tracklist:
01. The Kickdrums – We Can’t Go Home Anymore My Love
02. The Kickdrums – Just A Game feat. Joell Ortiz
03. Kanye West – Good Morning (The Kickdrums remix)
04. Kid Cudi – Sky High
05. The Kickdrums – Things Work Out
06. Peter Bjorn & John – Nothing To Worry About (The Kickdrums remix feat. Wale and Young Chris)
07. The Kickdrums – I’m Gonna Dress in Black
08. The Kickdrums – Optimistic Captive
09. Ben Harper – Lay There And Hate Me (The Kickdrums remix)
10. The Kickdrums – Love Buzz
11. The Kickdrums – Perfect World feat. RZA (remix)
12. The Kickdrums – Love Is A Drug
13. The Kickdrums – Somethings Gotta Give (Kutcorners remix)

Back in April, Premier, aka Christopher Martin, had to deal with the death of long-time friend and Gang Starr collaborator Guru and the subsequent controversy that followed thanks to statements made by John “Solar” Mosher (Guru’s then most recent producer) and alleged letters written by Guru. On a more positive note, Premier is also providing beats for a couple of tracks on the new Kanye West album.

Turning to the new album, the 15-track Year Round Records compilation will feature a slew of Premier-produced tracks. Confirmed artists include Blaq Poet, Nick Javas, and NYG’z, as well as longtime collaborators Freddie Foxxx (aka Bumpy Knuckles), Royce da 5’9″, and Lady of Rage. Also appearing are MC Eiht, Teflon, Grand Puba, Styles P, Saigon, Joell Ortiz, and others. No confirmed running order is available yet, but the tracklisting with as much detail as we have can be found below (via DJ Premier Blog).

Get Used To Us Tracklist:
Opportunity Knocks
Not A Game
Hot Flames
Rappin Exercise
Policy
Ya Dayz R #’d(remix)
Married 2 Tha Game
Lifetime Membership
Bang This
Ain’t Nuthin Changed (remix)
Epic Dynasty
Temptation
5%
Fine By Me
Sing Like Bilal

Formed in late 2008, the group features the talents of Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Royce da 5’9″, and Crooked I. If this doesn’t mean much to you then, take our resident hip-hop expert Michael Denslow’s word for it. He described this foursome as “the best collective of M.C.’s since the Wu-Tang Clan,” a claim which has since been backed up thanks to a slew of leaked songs that have hit the web in recent months and a successful stint at this summer’s Rock the Bells.

On August 11th, Slaughterhouse will look to cap off this successful summer with the release of its self-titled debut. Due for release via E1 Entertainment, the 15-track effort was produced by a bounty of high-profile names, including Emile, Streetrunner, Focus, and DJ Khalil. It also features two equally impressive guests, as both Pharoahe Monch and Novel are set to appear.

“We stayed true to what we’re known for, but ended up with records that I think radio will fuck with,” Royce da 5’9″ explained in a recent interview with XXLmag.com. “All four of us can make records, so when we get together, what do you think we gon’ do? It’s definitely not going to just be us kicking verses back to back to back for a whole album… it’s going to be bigger than people see.”

Check out the album’s first single, “The One”, below. Tracklist after that…

Slaughterhouse Tracklist:
01. Sound Off
02. Lyrical Murderers
03. Microphone
04. Not Tonight
05. The One
06. In The Mind Of Madness (skit)
07. Cuckoo
08. The Phone Call (skit)
09. Onslaught 2
10. The Phone Call 2 (skit)
11. Salute (feat. Pharoahe Monch)
12. Pray (it’s A Shame)
13. Cut You Loose
14. Rain Drops (feat. Novel)
15. Killaz