DMX, one of hip hop’s reigning kings, passed away earlier this month. In honor of his memory, the Ears to Feed staff curated a list of its favorite tracks by the late icon.
Editorial Board
Maxwell Cann, Editor-in-Chief
“What’s My Name” – …And Then There Was X (1999)
When I first heard of DMX’s passing, I felt as though a part of my childhood died as well. Growing up in Queens in the early ‘00s, it was impossible to escape the impact X had on the whole city, but especially in his home borough. Anytime I hear a track, I’m instantly transported to summer block parties with BBQ cooking, my older cousins sitting on a stoop sharing the details on the latest family gossip and my group of friends cruising along our street on bikes while a DJ blasted out X. While “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” was the obvious track that encapsulated those sweltering summer afternoons, I’ve always revered “What’s My Name” from his third album … And Then There Was X.
An uncompromising testament to all those who didn’t recognize DMX as one of the best lyricists of his time, soaked with testosterone and confidence. “And you think you crazy? (Alright) /I’ve lost my mind / And I’m about to make you lose yours, too,” X belts as his final threat while being honest in his self-reflection. There are few artists who channel the thrills of life’s hard knocks as DMX.
Staff Writers
Andy Andrade
“Slippin” – Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood (1998)
On April 27th 1999, “Slippin” was the lead single from DMX’s second album, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood. On July 23rd 1999, DMX took the infamous stage of Woodstock ’99 and delivered one of the most important shows of his career. Following an already rapturous “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” a crowd of over 200,000 people watched DMX bleed and spit the brutal truth on the meaning of suffering. The ouroboros lyrics in “Slippin” escaped the confines of generational angst by speaking to the universal anxiety hidden behind the cyclical nature of life and death, “See, to live is to suffer/But to survive/Well, that’s to find meaning in the suffering.” DMX’s twisted reality would define his existence and inevitable fame. To courageously speak on his internal damnation to the world and his responsibility to family, past and future; made him king, now and forever.
Patrick King
“Damien” – It’s Dark and Hell is Hot (1998)
As a youngster, I was pulled into DMX’s world through the larger than life character on display in the immortal “Rough Ryders’ Anthem.” But when I finally got my hands on a copy of It’s Dark and Hell is Hot the song “Damien” jumped out as the example of why he was a cut above the rest. The song deals with X making a bargain with the devil on his shoulder, who goads him into doing some evil deeds. It’s a pretty common narrative tool, but with X rapping as both characters and donning an affected vocal styling as “Damien” the song couldn’t be more engaging and out of left field. The story would continue with multiple entries and solidify that DMX could spit as well as he could bark.
Phillipe Roberts
“Prayer Skit” – It’s Dark and Hell is Hot (1998)
Over the years following my first encounter with him on Chappelle’s Show long after its immortal run ended, I’ve instigated plenty of them myself, connecting with strangers and friends over the absolute power trip that “Ruff Ryders Anthem” or “What’s My Name” can set off at a moment’s notice.
But even in his most electric, pop-focused moments, DMX was undeniably a man of faith, riddled with guilt and searching for a chance at redemption. The first time I heard “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem,” “All I know is pain / all I feel is rain” roared out of the speakers and lit up my little Catholic-raised mind like a Christmas Tree. Here was a man who escaped damnation on a daily basis, who knew with deathly certainty just how close he and his people were dancing to the edge, and who committed it to record like clockwork.
It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot is not only one of the greatest debuts of all time, it’s easily one of the greatest Christian albums of all time, culminating in DMX offering his own prayer in the album’s closing stretch. He offers nothing but pure submission, willingly forgiving the traumatic deaths of his friends and offering himself up as a sacrificial lamb for the salvation of others: “So if it takes for me to suffer, for my brother to see the light / Give me pain till I die, but please lord treat him right.”