A lot has changed in hip-hop since DMX last released an album. For one he’s no longer the only rapper named Earl I can rotate on my IPod. Yet perhaps the biggest shift is in record sales. People tend to forget that X is one of the biggest selling hip-hop artists of all time, selling over 20 million records. This is a great achievement given X’s rather limited cross over appeal. But with his new album “Undisputed” released this week, he may have to come to terms with an industry long since past moving major units.

Arguably it’s been nearly 14 years since we’ve seen the best of DMX. His first two album’s, both released in 1998, still remain the greatest moments of his career. “It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot” was released only one year after Biggie’s death, and two after 2Pac’s. Having lost it’s greatest leaders, hip-hop was looking for a new king of gangster rap. “Flesh of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood”, cemented that reputation and filled a certain void for fans of horrorcore. In 2003 he had some monster hit’s with song’s like “Where The Hood At?” and “X Gon Give It To Ya”. But it was also the year he announced his “retirement”. His music since has been fragmented and despite releasing “Year Of The Dog… Again” in 2006, the period after his retirement announcement will not remembered too fondly by DMX fans.

To my mind he is perhaps the last of hip-hop’s true characters. In the past rappers like Ol’ Dirty Bastard, or moguls like Suge Knight were plentiful. The media relied on them to supply us with entertainment, and the stories were endless. But somewhere along the line a lot of these characters died out. You can just feel the sense of excitement most websites are enjoying since DMX announced his return. The concept of authenticity is lost on much of today’s generation, but X only knows how to bring his own personality to the music with no compromise. The power of DMX’s artistry comes from his penchant for story telling and ability to create a dark mood with his lyrics. At times he can be gruesome, raw and gritty, but the layers and depth to his songs provide the artistic merit to what (to the untrained ear) can sound like mere gangster rap. Very few modern rappers bring the emotions of pain and anger to hip-hop in quite the same way that DMX does. It’s this authenticity that separates him from his contemporaries and allows his career to endure a longevity seldom seen in a ringtone rap era.

Yet perhaps it has been his biggest blessing and curse. His legal troubles have been mostly responsible for his long hiatus from hip-hop. Label’s in the past have been reluctant to work with him knowing each album could be his last. At one point during one of his prison stays he was even moved to a secure mental health unit. Watching some of his interviews, it’s not hard to imagine why. He made television gold by appearing on VH1’s “Couple’s Therapy” but also highlighted many of his inner demons by refusing to follow any orders. He talks (almost barks) at a frantic pace, never sitting still for a moment. It’s this energy that makes him both compelling and at times unnerving.

However, part of the DMX enigma is that he’s not all one dimensional. Despite a seemingly ultra-tough persona, he has a strong attachment to Christianity. Even going so far as to promise us a gospel album that has yet to materialise. Nearly all of his albums feature prayers and he has released songs like “Lord Give Me A Sign”. Unlike Mase, who went onto become a pastor with questionable motives, I actually believe DMX when he talks about his love for God. After all, it goes against every rule for a gangster rapper, and DMX has always been a rule breaker. This year he released a free EP called “The Weigh In” as a taster for his new album. Reviews have been mostly positive but the true moment we will find out if DMX will make a successful return is with the release of “Undisputed”. The one thing no one can deny, is that for better or worse it’s impact will be felt.

Photo credit: Piotr Sikora

Previous post

D.Boogie - The Dhalsim Boogie (UK)

Next post

A Weekly Event Called Motown On Mondays!