Raised in the Cooper Park Houses in Brooklyn, Joell Ortiz spent the first part of the aughts building up street buzz thanks to his deft raps and a commitment to upholding New York City's hip-hop heritage. 2007's The Brick: Bodega Chronicles proved his ability to spit fire and led to him briefly signing with Dr. Dre's Aftermath imprint. When that situation went sour, Ortiz channeled his independent spirit by teaming up with fellow scorned soldiers Joe Budden, Crooked I, and Royce da 5' 9" to form the firebrand group Slaughterhouse.