Både Joell Ortiz och KXNG Crooked har bakgrund i supergruppen Slaughterhouse som under flera års tid levererade överdos av bars via Eminems bolag Shady Records. Gruppen splittrades några år tillbaka i tiden men har i olika konstellationer fortsatt samarbeta (främst utan Joe Budden). Nu bekräftar skivbolaget Mello Music Group att det Crooked och Ortiz är redo med det gemensammma album/EP-projektet “H.A.R.D.” som släpps den 29:e maj. Kolla även in Joell Ortiz inhopp på Blakk Soul-albumet “Take Your Time” via samma skivbolagsetikett.

Produktion på den kommande skivan tillhandahålls av Heatmakerz, Apollo Brown, iLLmind, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Boogeyman och Erick Sermon. Joell Ortiz kommenterar samarbetet i ett pressutskick:

“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.”

KXNG Crooked säger vidare:

“All of this shit was meant to happen. 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.”