Sure enough, ‘What’s My Name’ became the fifth Billboard Hot 100 entry of his career. Perhaps through his sheer force of conviction, he drives the song home, chanting his moniker over and over again, insisting that take up and notice of a rap great in ascendence. When not done right, this can be a cheesy and repetitive device – but not in DMX’s hands. Murder Inc Records’ co-founder Irv Gotti, who co-produced this pounding track, plays a monotonous chord three times every four counts throughout its duration. Most DMX lyric: “Most n*ggas make movies, but n*ggas like us make it happen” ‘What’s My Name?’ (1999) DMX’s blunt and simple delivery shines bright through this brighter sound, and it’s a shame that not many know of this side of him. Addressing loyalty and alliance for safety on the streets, the track has that cruising feel of West Coast rap, while still retaining the greasiness that New York and fellow East Coasters are known for.
#All of dmx albums movie
Relaying the same narrative as crime drama Belly (the movie that provided Simmons, also an accomplished actor, with his film debut), it’s quintessentially DMX. Most DMX lyric: “I face the world like it’s Earl in the bullpen / You’re against me, me against you” ‘Dogs For Life’ (1998)Īn underrated ‘Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood’ track, ‘Dogs For Life’ is one we definitely don’t talk about enough. Ending his five-year reign at the top of the charts, ‘Grand Champ’ was the album that solidified DMX as the icon that he is today and will always be. Simmons’ punchy known flow will demand that jerk your head to this track.
The marching instrumental is slightly less dynamic than those of the aforementioned songs, but the blare of fanfare does course with the aggression inherent on almost any DMX track. If ‘Party Up…’ is the perfect party track and ‘Ruff Ryders Anthem’ is the perfect gangster track, then ‘X Gon’ Give It To You’ is the perfect in-between. This is such a pick-me-up when you need an energy boost. Most DMX lyric: “Your old man say you stupid, you be like, ‘So? / I love my baby mother I never let her go’” ‘X Gon’ Give it To Ya’ (2003) Its huge chorus will be familiar not only to those aren’t fans of DMX, but even those who don’t consider themselves hip-hop fans – this is a true crossover smash and a sign of Simmons’ enduring appeal. This sound was also crafted by Beatz, one of hip hop’s most iconic Renaissance men, and the result will always go down as one of the best hip-hop party tracks ever. Moshpits and rap go in hand nowadays, and ‘Party Up’ was one of the original ‘pit anthems. Most DMX lyric: The iconic “Stop, drop, shut ’em down, open up shop / Oh, no, that’s how Ruff Ryders roll”. He came round in the end, though, and we’re all richer for it. Surprisingly, X originally didn’t rate the Swizz Beats-produced track, dismissing it as “rock’n’roll” and insisting “it’s not hood enough”. This adrenaline-fuelled ‘It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot’ track takes you back to the golden age of MTV, a time defined by highly produced, strobing ’00s music videos of the such as the one that accompanies this classic. ‘Ruff Ryders Anthem’ should be the first song you think of when you hear the name DMX. Here, we toast 10 of his best songs, which proved him an enduring and hugely influential all-time great. The Yonkers artist found fame in the ‘90s and ‘00s with his unmistakable, hoarse vocals – which have audibly inspired the current crop of rappers such as Denzel Curry and Ski Mask the Slump God – and Simmons’ sheer musical star power made him the hottest star at Def Jam in his era, surpassing even Jay-Z (who had a bubbling fanbase, but nothing like DMX’s).Īfter he gained five Number One albums in a row – from 1998’s classic ‘It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot’ to 2003’s superlative ‘Grand Champ’, a feat still still not achieved by another rapper to this day - and shaped hip-hop forever, the artist has tragically died at the age of 50. DMX – real name Earl Simmons – fronted one of hip-hop’s most prolific record labels, Ruff Ryders, on his road to enormous success.
0 kommentar(er)
