Dmx And Then There Was X... CD

AND THEN THERE WAS X was nominated for the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album and "Party Up" was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance.

No other rapper exerts quite as much energy as Def Jam heavyweight DMX. With his adrenaline-pumped hip-hop anthems, Yonkers native DMX has taken the hip-hop industry by storm. His third album, AND THEN THERE WAS X came only one year after his highly-anticipated second album, FLESH OF MY FLESH..., which came only six months after his multi-platinum debut, IT'S DARK AND HELL IS HOT. With this series of rapid-fire releases, DMX was able to remain on the cutting edge of rap.

"What's My Name?" perhaps most clearly demonstrates the power of the Ruff Ryder frontman. The other Swizz Beatz-produced tracks bring forth more of the same flavor. His rough-edged lyrics and spitfire delivery will leave his "dogs" foaming at the mouth for more. Though X is backed by one of hip-hop's most prominent crews (the Ruff Ryders), the platinum pit bull proves he can hold his own and then some.

DMX loves dogs, and feels a connection to them; he's certainly never made a secret of it, infusing his raps with numerous references to man's best friend. On the intro to his fifth record, GRAND CHAMP, the East Coast rapper/actor asserts his canine preference as, not surprisingly, the pit bull ("they make good companions, but even worse enemies/it's all in how you take 'em"). It's a fitting portrait of the gruffer-than-gruff-voiced, remarkably uncompromising hardcore rapper, who leaves the listener to either embrace his stark world or get the hell out.

GRAND CHAMP reveals DMX to be as fierce as ever ("only know how to be one way, th

Includes a bonus DVD.

Recorded at The Hit Factory, Miami, Florida and Power House, Yonkers, New York.

Personnel includes: DMX, Swizz Beatz, Chinky, Sheek, Syleena Johnson, Infa-Red, Cross And Drag-on, Eve, Jadakiss, Cam'Ron, Big Stan, Monica, Magic Val, Patti LaBelle.

Producers include: Tuneheadz, No I.D., DJ Scratch, Joaquin "Waah" Dean, Swizz Beats.

Recording information: Power House, Yonkers, NY; The Hit Factory, Miami, FL.

Personnel includes: DMX, Regina Bell, Dyme, Sisqo, The Lox, Drag-On.

Producers include: Swizz Beatz, P. Killer Trackz, Grease, Shok, Nokio.

Rolling Stone (2/3/00, p.58) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...he moves...with verve....DMX doesn't stray far from his proven formula: schizophrenic flows and old-age-wisdom-meets-street-knowledge buttressed by sea-chanteylike choruses..."
Rolling Stone (2/3/00, p.58) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...he moves...with verve....DMX doesn't stray far from his proven formula: schizophrenic flows and old-age-wisdom-meets-street-knowledge buttressed by sea-chanteylike choruses..."
Spin (12/03, p.128) - "...DMX is pop's most riveting one-dimensional star. And like every DMX album, this is a mini-exorcism..." - Grade: B-
Spin (12/03, p.128) - "...DMX is pop's most riveting one-dimensional star. And like every DMX album, this is a mini-exorcism..." - Grade: B-
Spin (12/03, p.128) - "...DMX is pop's most riveting one-dimensional star. And like every DMX album, this is a mini-exorcism..." - Grade: B-
Entertainment Weekly (1/14/00, pp.73-4) - "...What makes DMX so compelling is the ravaged grain and electric urgency of his voice - he sounds like a man who...is just about to blow....That internal drama lends X a thematic ambition few contemporary rappers even bother to strive for..." - Rating: A-
Entertainment Weekly (1/14/00, pp.73-4) - "...What makes DMX so compelling is the ravaged grain and electric urgency of his voice - he sounds like a man who...is just about to blow....That internal drama lends X a thematic ambition few contemporary rappers even bother to strive for..." - Rating: A-
Q (3/00, p.100) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Excellent. The results are thrilling: dynamic anthemic stadium rap, plus loads of swearing..."
Q (3/00, p.100) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Excellent. The results are thrilling: dynamic anthemic stadium rap, plus loads of swearing..."
The Source (3/00, p.256) - 3.5 mics out of 5 - "...[DMX] hits you with that same X flow that made you wanna get at him in the first place. And as usual, the other side of his duel persona has a revealing conversation with God....his bark calls us...you just gotta feel."
The Source (3/00, p.256) - 3.5 mics out of 5 - "...[DMX] hits you with that same X flow that made you wanna get at him in the first place. And as usual, the other side of his duel persona has a revealing conversation with God....his bark calls us...you just gotta feel."
Mojo (Publisher) (11/03, p.129) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...F*** Y'all is a fizzing, barking onslaught, as fine as anything he's done..."
Mojo (Publisher) (11/03, p.129) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...F*** Y'all is a fizzing, barking onslaught, as fine as anything he's done..."
Mojo (Publisher) (11/03, p.129) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...F*** Y'all is a fizzing, barking onslaught, as fine as anything he's done..."s