American rapper DMX passed away on April 9, 2021 at the young age of 50. His posthumous album "Exodus" was released on May 28. Originally scheduled to be released before his death, this album, which was also Def Jam's comeback, features not only hip-hop artists but also Alicia Keys and U2's Bono.
Minako Ikeshiro, a writer/translator, contributed an article about this album.
"It's not like I'm 50." These are the words DMX uttered on the first single “Hood Blues” from his posthumous album “Exodus”, which was released on May 28th. DMX was a breakout rapper at the turn of the 21st century, holding the record for five consecutive No. 1 album debuts until J. Cole only recently broke it. There is a reason why his posthumous work came out so quickly, seven weeks after he passed away on April 9 at the young age of 50. Unlike Pop Smoke's "Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon," which spliced together posthumous recordings and added guest verses, and Juice WRLD's "Legends Never Die," Exodus was almost finished during DMX's lifetime.
In what must have been a particularly long summer of 2020, DMX went into Snoop Dogg's studio in LA with swiss beats to complete this piece. Based in Yonkers, New York, Rough Riders was a hip-hop label that dominated the late '90s and early '00s, and both DMX and Swizz hail from there. After more than 15 years of hiatus, the reunion began with the Verzuz Battle on July 22nd. Producers Timbaland and Swizz Beatz started a confrontation project using Instagram's live function during the self-isolation period due to the corona crisis. A score is given based on which team made the most excitement, and the winner is determined.
Because it was an audience participation type and the matching was centered on veterans, it became a state where "the world felt nostalgic at the same time" and the excitement accelerated, and it continues even after the quarantine period is over. The size and name recognition of hits are also important, but when two people who have been regarded as destined rivals, such as Monica vs. Brandy, Babyface vs. Teddy Riley, Beenieman vs. Bounty Killer, come together, it's time to see the end of the long-running drama. brought excitement.
The battle between Snoop and DMX was titled "Battle of Dogs" and recorded a peak audience of 1.9 million during the live stream. Snoop, who has released albums constantly, seemed to have an advantage, but the result was a reminder of the destructive power of DMX's representative songs. It became a hot topic that not only fans but also many rappers watched and sent emoji ale to the two seniors. This motivated DMX, who had been unable to focus on music since 2012. After resolving the animosity with Swizz Beatz, he shut himself up in Snoop's studio and finished recording "Exodus" in about two months.
Dmx vs Snoop (Verzuz)Def Jam, who split up 13 years ago, re-signed with DMX. One of the few positive events in the hip-hop/R&B scene during the global pandemic was the Verzuz project and the return of DMX. "Exodus" is a work with many guest performances for DMX. However, since it is a work made as a resurrection work, not a posthumous work, there are no words of condolences or leniency, and it is somewhat dry and easy to listen to. Let's talk about the highlights of each song.
The top is the Rough Riders reunion song. The Rocks' Jadakiss, Seek Roach, and Styles P take turns taking charge, and it's almost as if they're warming up until the real DMX hits. DMX is also rhyming at its best.
I ain't playin' with you ni***s, I got kids your age
Theline is interesting. DMX didn't think old age, or even death, was a bad thing. That view of life permeates the entire album.
DMX – That's My Dog (Audio) ft. The LOX, Swizz BeatzDMX, Jay-Z, Nas and the kings of New York are all featured. Originally recorded for Nas' 2012 Life is Good, it was not included. Jay-Z's lyrics are still from 2012, and there are words such as "(the female-dominated) Kadashian family" that may not be included now. Nas rewrites the verse.
There was an American music media that harshly criticized "Jay-Z and Nas stand out even though it's a posthumous work", but DMX should not want to cut corners in life or after death. Instead of the dexterity of rare lyricists Jay-Z and Nas, DMX has a presence that can change the atmosphere with just one word, and it fully demonstrates its charm.
DMX – Bath Salts (Audio) ft. JAY-Z, NasNew Orleans champion Lil Wayne and DMX may not seem to have much in common, but in 2000 they launched the Rough Riders / Cash Money Tour. I am going around 40 places together at the time of. DMX was, of course, the headliner, and Lil Wayne, who was only 17 or 18, was the opening. Even if you watch the footage of DMX jumping in at Lil Wayne's event in 2012, you can see that they respected each other. Created by Swizz and his brother-in-law producer Arab Music, the minimalist track features Wayne's witty rap, which recalls Lil Wayne's classic "A Milli," and biting DMX rap.
DMX – Dogs Out (Audio) ft. Lil Wayne, Swizz Beatz
The only song completed after DMX's death. Originally intended to use a Pop Smoke verse recorded with Swizz, it was leaked and used elsewhere, so Memphis' Moneybag Yeo joined instead. Moneybag Yo is a notable group whose 4th album "A Gangsta's Pain" released in April just topped Billboard's album chart. It seems that it was also DMX's wish to put young people in. It's a hard content with a gold theme, but it samples French pop Chantal Goya's 'J'ai Le Cœur En Joie, J'ai Le Cœur En Peine'.
DMX – Money Money Money (Audio) ft. Moneybagg YoSwizz Beatz's wife, Alicia Keys, and DMX are said to have entered the studio together, and their closeness is reflected in their interactions. Perhaps inspired by Alicia's soulful chorus and keyboard, DMX's true intentions are revealed.
Everyday it gets darker, the road gets longerMy body gets weaker, my faith gets strongerThe Devil's working on me hard, because God loves meAs long as I'm in His graces, it's gon' get uglyBut, only He can judge me SoWhat anothеr motherfucker say don't matter Every day the darkness gets darker The road gets longer My body is weak But my faith is getting stronger As long as I have your protection, things will get worse But he's the only one who can judge me It doesn't matter what other motherfuckers say
DMX's strong faith is conveyed from the perspective that the stronger the love of God, the greater the trials. During the recording, he said he wanted this to be his last album. Instead, he talked with Swizz about the possibility of gospel rap, and you can hear a glimpse of it in this song.
DMX – Hold Me Down (Audio) ft. Alicia KeysThis is the emergence of U2's Bono, the best projectile in this album. Bono and Alicia Keys have been together for 20 years, working together for charity and duets. She is also close to her husband, Swizz, and said that the track and Bono's vocal part for this song were made in 2012. One of the four producers involved is Wyclef Jean's cousin and right-hand man, Jerry "Wanda" Duplessis. The prototype of the song was created by him, who specializes in melodious tracks. Before the 1990s, when many rappers started singing themselves, there were many collaborations with big name singers from other genres, and it was an effective way to get wider radio coverage. For that reason, Bono's song, "Let's all rise like a skyscraper," has a nostalgic atmosphere, and it's a masterpiece that makes you think that this kind of collaboration will become popular again. There is a part like DMX's will, so I want to translate it.
Every day I live, every day I dieDon't always laugh, but every day I cryUsed to wonder why, now I enjoy the rainGet stronger with the struggle, can't live without the painI just wanna be heard, fuck the fameMy words will live forever, fuck my name Live every day and die like every day I don't laugh much, but I cry every day It used to feel strange, but now I like the rain I don't care about fame I just want you to hear my song My words will live forever I don't care what my name is
There are versions of this song by Swizz and Kanye West, but when you listen to this verse, I think it became a DMX song. At the time of recording, Bono sent a photo with a message and a poem saying, "It's an honor to be on par with your voice," and DMX was deeply moved.
DMX – Skyscrapers (Audio) ft. BonoIt seems that it is a classic hip-hop album that includes a skit. Icepick, the producer of Rough Riders, died of colon cancer in 2017.
DMX – Stick Up Skit (Audio) ft. Cross, Infrared, IcepickLeading single released prior to the album. Westside Gunn, Benny the Butcher and Conway are part of Buffalo, New York-based Griselda Records. Like DMX, they are known for their hardcore style, and because they were fans of each other, the process went very smoothly. The video shows how DMX played a central role in the recording.
DMX – Hood Blues (Official Video) ft. GriseldaThe album's unsung hero is Snoop Dogg, who provided the studio. It's a track with big jokes on Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" made by Mr. Porter, a member of Eminem's friend group D12. Such a bold sampling should cost a certain amount of usage fee, and I feel deep affection for Swizz Beatz who ignores it.
DMX – Take Control (Audio) ft. Snoop DoggMr. Porter's 70's soul-inspired chorus. The title of the album "Exodus" may have a meaning of escape, but it is the name of the youngest son among DMX's 15 children, and he also participates in the chorus. DMX, which carefully rhymes two lines at a time, is good, but recently Nas, who can be called a poet, has a very deep verse. Nas and DMX made their screen debut together in the 1998 film BELLY and collaborated on "Life is What You Make It" (1999).
DMX – Walking In The Rain (Audio) ft. Nas, Exodus Simmons, DenaunA skit where Exodus, born in 2016, sends a sweet cheer to his father. He got engaged to his mother, Desiree, in 2019. The artwork for this work is a tattoo of his son's name on his throat.
DMX – Exodus Skit (Audio)Although this album is not dominated by a sad mood as much as other posthumous works, it comes to the end and makes you cry. The song with the straightforward title "Letter to Son (Call Dad)" is a song dedicated to his estranged eldest son Xavier. DMX and his mother Tashera had four children during their 15-year marriage and ended up divorcing after appearing on a reality show together to mend their relationship. Xavier, who is already an adult, also appealed on a TV program, "I want you to stop taking drugs," but DMX, who answered there, was no longer sober.
I don't know what you thought about my use of drugsBut it taught you enough to not use them drugs
The lyricleaves me speechless. DMX was very pleased with the song when Usher showed up at Snoop's studio. The sound of violin and piano played by Brian King Joseph is beautiful.
DMX – Letter To My Son (Call Your Father) (Audio) ft. Usher, Brian King JosephThe last is the sermon that DMX gave when he attended Kanye's Sunday service, as he was a devotee of God. He is a professional pastor, and I can't help but think that if he had lived, he would have had a future to become a pastor like Lang of DMC.
DMX – Prayer (Audio)It's no use talking about "Taraba". Swizz Beatz said, "DMX only works from noon to evening, and there was no coercion." Reading between the lines, DMX may not have had the energy to work on music for long. Even though it was completed during his lifetime, it can be explained why the main character raps less than half of the whole. However, the tension and power that fills his rap remains the same as in the past, and I think that "Exodus", where his vitality shines there, is a wonderful posthumous work.
DMX, who turned the painful memories of childhood and boyhood into anger and rapped, and dominated hip-hop at the timing that straddles the 21st century, released a number of famous songs, several cult classic movies, and this "Exodus". I left it and slept forever. The style of DMX, which raps tightly without leaving any blank space, may sound old to ears accustomed to listening to modern rap. But rappers who howl in pain, cry after rapping ferociously on stage, and forgive addiction and women's issues by defiantly saying, "It is what it is," are sure to continue to emerge. don't come DMX passed away after telling the whole album that he wasn't afraid to grow old or die. Darkman X was a unique talent until the very end.
Written By Minako Ikeshiro (blog here)
DMX "Exodus" May 28, 2021 Release iTunes / Apple Music / Spotify / Amazon Music / YouTube Music
