Ruff Ryders Ryde Or Die Vol. 1 CD

Known for his blazing tracks on records for Jay-Z and DMX, producer Swizz Beatz assembled a group of new tracks that features such hip-hop all-stars as the Lox, Big Pun, Juvenile, and the aforementioned Jay-Z and DMX. RYDE OR DIE VOL. 1 is jam-packed with energy and hot-to-death beats. There are several outstanding cuts. "Down Bottom" has Juvenile dropping his trademark Southern-style rhymes over Swizz beat, while "Platinum Plus" features Jermaine Dupri, Mase, and Cross. The title cut is a killer with the Lox, DMX, Drag-On, and Eve flippin' over the classic EPMD cut "Headbanger."

There are some can't-miss tracks from DMX ("Bug Out," "Some X Shit"), Jay-Z ("Jigga My Nigga"), and Jadakiss from the Lox ("Kiss of Death"). RYDE OR DIE VOL. 1 is what a compilation album should be. In addition, there's the smooth R&B cut "I'm a Ruff Ryder," featuring Parle and producer Dave Hall. Another highlight is "The Hood", a major thug posse cut featuring Drag-On, Beanie Siegal, Mysonne, Inf Red, NuChild, and Jadakiss.

Dmx,Drag On,The Lox,Eve,Jay Z, Parle,Juvenile,Sheik & Big Pun

Recording information: Festival Studios, New Orleans, LA; Platinum Island Studios, New York, NY; Powerhouse Recording Studios, NY; Soundworks R.Rolling Stone (5/27/99, pp.62-63) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...features various crew members, plus a police lineup of hip-hop's most wanted - Jay Z...Big Pun and Juvenile - pounding their chests and belting out a barrage of black-fingernailed threats and phallus-grabbing call and response..."
Rolling Stone (5/27/99, pp.62-63) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...features various crew members, plus a police lineup of hip-hop's most wanted - Jay Z...Big Pun and Juvenile - pounding their chests and belting out a barrage of black-fingernailed threats and phallus-grabbing call and response..."
Muzik (1/00, p.120) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Swizz Beatz be Source Producer Of The Year. It's got the best MCs in the business guesting...It's got DMX and the Lox. It's the bomb-jiggy..."
Muzik (1/00, p.120) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Swizz Beatz be Source Producer Of The Year. It's got the best MCs in the business guesting...It's got DMX and the Lox. It [be] the bomb-jiggy..."
CMJ (5/24/99, p.34) - "...the Ruff Ryders crew returns on this all-star collection of blazin' hip-hop and R&B.....the 11-member rhyme cartel descends upon you from all directions..."
The Source (2/00, p.95) - Included in The Source's "Top 10 Albums of the Year [1999]."
The Source (2/00, p.95) - Included in The Source's "Top 10 Albums of the Year [1999]."
Rap Pages (7/99, p.146) - "...packing more heat than the NYPD....Producers Swizz Beatz, PK, Shok and DJ Clue? sustain a fever pitch on each track....these beatsmiths concoct soundscapes that are more addictive than nicotine. Easily on of the years best albums, RYDE OR DIE is a must-have.