Year Released: 1998
Certification: 4x Platinum
Label: Def Jam/Polygram
Guest Stars: Big Stan, Loose, Kasino, Dragon, The Lox, Mase
Flesh Of my Flesh,
Blood Of my Blood
Year Released:1998
Certification:3x Platinum
Label: Def Jam
Guest Stars: Swizz Beatz, Drag-On, The Lox, Jay-Z; Mary J. Blige, Marilyn Manson, Tamyra Grey
...And There was X
Year Released: 1999
Certification: 5x Platinum
Label: Def Jam
Guest Stars:Regina Bell, Dyme, Sisqo, The Lox, Drag-On
The Great Depression
Year Released:2001
Certification: Platinum
Label:Def Jam
Guest Stars: Faith Evans, Stephanie Mills, Mashonda
Biography
Born Earl Simmons, on December 18, 1970 in Baltimore, Maryland, DMX was raised from an early age by his aunt in New York City's Yonkers district. He took his name from the DMX digital sound machine, and developed a reputation as a DJ on the local projects.
He won Source magazine's Unsigned Hype Award in January 1991, and released the promo single 'Born Loser' for Columbia Records the following year. He managed to escape from Columbia's punitive contract, but little was heard from him afterwards apart from a 1994 single, "Make A Move". He made a dramatic re-entry onto the hip-hop scene with a show stopping appearance on LL Cool J's "4,3,2,1". Further cameos on Mase's "24 Hours To Live", The Lox 's "Money, Power & Respect" and the remix of Ice Cube 's "We Be Clubbin'' built up a highly marketable reputation.
Newly signed to Ruff Ryders/ Def Jam Records, DMX returned to recording with the powerful "Get At Me Dog" single, a US Top 40 single built around a B.T. Express guitar sample. Marketed as a return to the chaotic, raw roots of street rap, he became hip-hop's latest sensation during 1998 when his debut album, It's Dark And Hell Is Hot, entered the US Billboard album chart at number 1. An impressive slice of east coast hardcore rap, the album centered around DMX's ferocious lyrical approach.
The follow-up, Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood, stayed at number 1 in the US for three weeks during January 1999. The album included cameo appearances from the Lox, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige ("Coming From") and Marilyn Manson ("The Omen"). After contributing to the Ruff Ryders' chart-topping Ryde Or Die Vol. 1 set, DMX quickly laid down tracks for his new album. Despite being his third release in the space of two years, ... And Then There Was X was another quality slice of hardcore rap and a welcome antidote to the bland hip-hop product still flooding the American market. The album followed its predecessors to the top of the US charts in January 2000.
DMX's fourth album, The Great Depression, was no exception. Entering the charts at number 1, making him the first artist to have all four of his first albums debut at number 1. His latest, The Great Depression, replaces "Ruff Ryders Anthem" with "Bloodline Anthem," a big up to his newest allegiance at Def Jam, Bloodline records.
With only two production credits on this album, Swizz Beatz is no longer the go-to guy for X's groundbreaking grit. But that didn't stop the music from remaining as dark and daring as ever, courtesy of neophyte Black Key. The first single, "We Right Here," confirms the arrival of X, and verifies that when blending a reserved rhythm with the dog's signature snarls, his hit-making abilities are perpetual. There's also a distinctive hybrid of heavy metal and hip-hop that makes tantalizing tracks such as "I'm a Bang" and "Who We Be" slam-dancing party starters, reminiscent of Onyx and Ice-T's work with Body Count in the early '90s.
Beyond the music, X's sincere subject matters keep the album enticing. On "Shorty Was the Bomb," he reveals how one night of passion led to an ongoing problem with a wayward woman. He even attacks materialism in hip-hop on "Trina Moe," where he raps: "We already know how much your watch is worth / Talk about helping the hurt, savin' a church" (something X knows all about). DMX has a knack for turning his inner demons and desires into a soundtrack for success.
At times, The Great Depression sounds like a therapy session for X. "I Miss You" begins as a dedication to DMX's diseased grandmother, but concludes with him actually rapping to her in heaven, filling her in on the faults of family members that haven't followed her disciplinary structure. X continues on this spiritual path as he makes amends with God on "A Minute for Your Son." It's a sermon that's both eerie and astonishing because, when X cries out for acceptance, it's not from his fans or the media -- but from his creator.
Main