DMX’s sophomore album showcased his complicated lifestyle in full force.
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TOP 5 SONGS
5. Bring Your Whole Crew
DMX says so many questionable lines in this track.
DMX admitting that his penis has blood on it because he smashed a corpse? Yeah, that’s not exactly a normal conversation. Thankfully, he throws in some other outrageous things to keep things balanced, like describing different ways to kill someone. While his words are probably the most captivating part of this track, I also love the rowdy hook (shoutout to whoever delivers it), the action-packed, slightly horror-tinged production, and how X sounds extra animated over it.
4. My Niggas
What are the chances YG was inspired by this track when he wrote “My Nigga?”
This album’s catchiest, most real, and most exciting track is the shortest. As a matter of fact, X spent a good chunk of it talking slight gibberish (It’s a classic solloquoy, though). But once it starts up, it’s exciting as hell as X says “my n***as” about 100 times while speaking on all the evil things he’s down to do when he’s around his click. I’m just hyped listening to this s**t.
ALL I WANNA HEAR!
3. It’s All Good
If you are a woman attracted to a dude named Dark Man X, you need help.
You can probably count on one hand the number of club tracks in DMX’s catalog, and “It’s All Good” is definitely one of them. The song features a catchy, carefree hook where DMX gives a shoutout to his women worldwide, paired with a dance-ready hip-hop beat and a rap style much lighter than his usual gritty delivery. Lyrically, he steers clear of the usual tough talk, opting instead for some outrageous lines about shooting strange substances in women’s faces.
2. Blackout (Ft. Jay-Z & The Lox)
Posse cuts in the ’90s were so good.
Here’s the kicker: The Lox seemed to be on 90% of the hip-hop posse cuts back in the day. That said, they absolutely carry “Blackout,” with Sheek Louch, Styles P, and Jadakiss delivering a variety of hard-hitting rap styles to remind us just how street-aligned and battle-ready they are. As for Jay-Z and DMX, they close out the track masterfully—Jay-Z delivers a phenomenal verse packed with creative ways to tell you he’s ready to tear you apart, while DMX matches the energy with a clever, no-nonsense verse full of menacing threats and an unmistakable “If you’re feeling froggy, then leap” vibe. My favorite verse? Jay’s, hands down. But honestly, everyone came through and killed it.
1. Slippin
DMX must’ve hit up one of those séances Aaron Rodgers has been raving about before writing this track.
“Slippin'” is a track that bypasses your ears and goes straight to your soul. At its core is a hypnotic, almost ancient-sounding beat that invites deep introspection. Over this haunting instrumental, DMX delivers a raw and reflective narrative, recounting his missteps and holding onto hope for brighter days. He also delves into his childhood experiences, revealing how they shaped his current mindset. What stands out most is the heartfelt, gritty delivery in DMX’s verses, paired beautifully with a numb yet soothing vocal performance by an unnamed female vocalist.
I can only listen to the clean version of this track.
SONG-BY-SONG RATING
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RGM RATING
(B-) (83%)
The other day, my homie Hush Money sent me a video of DMX dissing Tupac in a “Who Shot Ya” freestyle. The first thing that came to mind was how an apocalypse would’ve started if DMX and Tupac had gone at it. Why? Because those two were crazy, bald muthasuckas, no doubt. In my opinion, the peak of crazy DMX is captured on Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood. Throughout the album, DMX talks about everything from killing people in ways that range from demented to casual, to wrestling with demons, learning from his mistakes, and maintaining a relationship with God. You might expect that kind of subject matter to lead to nothing but introspective or street-heavy tracks, but instead, we get it all: club bangers, lyrical posse cuts, and everything in between. Honestly, I think Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood is the album that best embodies DMX.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
