Dmx The Definition Of X Pick Of The Litter Zip
Dmx Discography Download
Nas might claim that hip hop is dead – and certainly, US CD sales are down 33% this year - but anyone familiar with either his music or his autobiography will attest that DMX has retained an almost impenetrable credibility. Raised on the notorious Yonkers housing projects, a life spent resisting (and occasionally relenting) the lure of NYC’s meanest streets has thrown up thicker plotlines than a Scorsese movie.The post-9/11 album The Great Depression might have opened up a worldview beyond his immediate backyard, but the career trajectory of Earl Simmons remains a living embodiment of the flip side to the American Dream.This is more than evident on The Definition Of X, a compilation spanning his Def Jam career between 1998 and 2003, and which does pretty much what it says on the tin. Save for “Cradle 2 The Grave” outtake, “X Gon’ Give It To Ya”, there’s nothing of rarity value: just 20 solid tracks from one of rap’s most distinctive voices.That gravel pit rasp literally defines who DMX is - and the raw hustler who typified “It’s Dark & Hell Is Hot” barely alters his flow over the intervening years. Indeed, “Grand Champ” outtake “Where The Hood At” is among the highlights here, joined on the podium by album cut “Blackout” (featuring and The Lox), “Party Up”, “What’s My Name?” and the bleak ghetto fable “Slippin’”.The unreconstructed wordplay hardly makes for family-friendly listening, but there’s a hardboiled truth about DMX that you wouldn’t find on, say, a record. And while this pick of the litter might not arrest hip hop’s commercial slide, it remains – for the uninitiated, at least - a pretty essential collection.
's first five albums, from 1998's through 2003's Grand Champ, debuted at the top of the Billboard album chart. Though none of the releases is an undeniable classic, the accomplishment is lost in all the drama of 's life. It's also remarkable that, during these years, the MC racked up enough charting singles that a thorough compilation of them would bleed over to a second disc. This is, after all, one of the most unique artists in music - rap or otherwise - and much of the uniqueness comes down to an intensity level (with incisive, highly mechanized productions to match) that did not make many concessions to the mainstream. His first compilation, contains all but five of the charting singles predating, sticking to necessary material for the casual fan: the rallying calls ('Ruff Ryders' Anthem,' 'Get at Me Dog,' 'What's My Name'), the venomous rants ('What These B.tches Want,' 'We Right Here'), and even a couple choice album cuts that stood no chance on radio (like 'Blackout,' with and ). The title of this disc is wholly appropriate.
Those hungry for more can get more than they could possibly need with any one of the first three albums.