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(XXL’s next cover, click for larger version….photo via B.Dot/RR)

The deal took a long time to finalize, but Slaughterhouse is now a member of Eminem’s Shady Records roster. I remember hearing that there were problems with Koch’s clearance of Joell Ortiz, so I’m glad that got worked out, he’s a vital part and the group would not have been the same without him. Meanwhile, the guys have already recorded with Eminem in Detroit, so fans are anxious to hear their collaborative material. If you also remember, last year, we reported that Yelawolf had been signed to Interscope. Well, now Yela has made the in-house shift to Shady/Interscope.

Speaking of that move, we should prepare for many other similar imprint adjustments in the coming months as the label landscape. According to insiders, there will be big changes at the top, and a merge between Def Jam and Universal. That would mean artists would be split between Interscope and the merged Universal-DefJam (or Uni-jam? Universal-Island?). Some predict that Interscope would take on the major pop acts and possibly Kanye and Rihanna, while Universal would skew “urban.” Either way, there’s been alot of talk about executives getting their “ducks in a row” in preparation.

Update2: Slaughterhouse Shady Signing Party (Feb. 8th at the Highline in NYC)

UPDATE: XXLMag released quotes from Em, Royce and Yela…
Eminem: “Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse, it’s kinda phase two of Shady. It’s the new generation of Shady Records and as we’re trying to rebuild our label, it’s exciting for hip-hop and with all of these forces coming together and with what everybody’s capable of on the mic, it’s gonna be fun.”

Royce Da 5′9″: “It’s very exciting for me to reunite with Eminem years after our Bad Meets Evil project together. Slaughterhouse on Shady Records will be a force to reckon with.”

Yelawolf: “Considering where I’m from and the shit I’ve been through, it’s hard to put into words what partnering with Shady means to me, my team at Ghet-O-Vision, and my state of Alabama. I can tell you that when you’re willing to give your life up to see a dream through, the reward is great. And now that I’ve become an apprentice to one of the greatest artists in the world, my potential reaches beyond anything I ever imagined. Let’s kill this shit.”

Related:
New Music: Slaughterhouse feat. Dres “Back On The Scene”
New Music: Slaughterhouse x L.O.X. “Put Some Money On It (Remix)”
New Music: Joell Ortiz “Fire Flame (Freestyle)”
Exclusive: Yelawolf signs to Interscope