The County Hound EP

Cashis first made his mark appearing on the single "You Don't Know" on Eminem's compilation album, Eminem Presents: The Re-Up (2006),[2] performing solo on the songs "Everything Is Shady" and "Talkin' All That". His solo track "Talkin' All That" was praised by Complex as an album standout.[3]

In May 2007, Cashis released the eight-track The County Hound EP in an attempt to have people "fiend" for his music, or garner interest in it. The album was released as a limited edition EP.[4]

Cashis first solo video "'Lac Motion" gained MTV airplay, with no promotion, which prepared the way for Cashis's debut album, Loose Cannon.

On The County Hound EP, Cashis hits listeners with vignettes from the life of a hustler ("That Nigga's Gangsta," "Gun Rule," and "Pistol Poppin"), remorseful self-examination ("Ms. Jenkins"), and reflections on life and death in the rap industry ("Thought of Suicide"). Eminem produces five of The County Hound EP's eight cuts and spits a guest verse alongside Cashis on "Pistol Poppin". Rikanatti, Keno, Luis Resto, Mike Elizondo and Ron Browz round out the production team.[5]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
DJBooth	[6]
HipHopDX	[7]
PopMatters	[8]

The EP was met with mixed reviews upon its release from music critics.[9][10] Some critics praised it as a solid introduction to Cashis, however others put down the gangster themes of the album's tracks.[11][12] Hip-hop magazine PopMatters gave the album a 7/10 (Stars) rating, saying "First appearing on last year’s release, Eminem Presents: The Re-Up, this new addition to the Shady Records roster is now formally introduced with a throwback to the full-length EP format. Eminem’s hands at production for five of The County Hound EP’s eight total tracks are very obvious though he appears vocally only for a guest verse on “Pistol Poppin’”, and production from the likes of up-and-comers like Rikanatti make this less of an Eminem show than we’re accustomed to. Lyrics of reflection and self-examination on tracks like “Thoughts of Suicide” and “Ms. Jenkins” suggest that Cashis may actually be able to talk his way out of the traditional trap of the superstar's shadow. It's a solid introduction".

The County Hound EP debuted at number 106 on the US Billboard 200, with 6,700 copies sold in its first week.[13] The EP peaked at number one on the Top Heatseekers, at number 14 on the Top Rap Albums, and at number 37 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

Notes

• ^[a] signifies an additional producer.
• "County Hound" (Intro) contains additional vocals by Stevion "Big Box" Boyd.

Sample credits

• "Ms. Jenkins" contains elements of "Bohemian Rhapsody", written by Freddie Mercury and performed by Queen.

Credits for The County Hound EP adapted from AllMusic.[14]

• The County Hound 2