Cam’ron and Mase recently appeared on the Million Dollaz Worth Of Game podcast, where they were asked, “Who was better: DMX or Tupac?”
Despite seeing the bait for what it was, both Cam and Mase dove in with thoughtful answers as both agreed that DMX was better.
However, rather than being driven by East/West Coast rivalries or their personal feelings about either man, Cam said his decision was based on getting to see X’s come up personally. As he put it, “I got see… from when he was in the tenement rappin’ to sellin’ ten, twenty, however millions of records he sold.”
Meanwhile, Mase pointed to how whole arenas would recite DMX’s lyrics, noting, “I think a lot of times, because you learn the flaws of n****s, you forget how great n****s really were.” You can check out a clip of them talking about the debate below.
Cam’ron chooses DMX over Tupac and Mase says DMX is a better rapper than Tupac.
Ever since Cam and Mase squashed their long-running feud last year, the two Harlem natives have proven to be utterly captivating podcast partners, whether on their own show talking about NBA rumors, or as guests on other shows addressing their long and storied careers. It was Cam’ron who first broke the news that Mase had gotten his publishing from Diddy, and they’ve teased new music to come.
When you think of the cream of the crop when it comes to hip-hop producers, who do you think of? Metro Boomin, The Alchemist, Scott Storch, Dr. Dre? There are plenty that belong in the hierarchy. One of those names that must be in the thick of it is Swizz Beatz. The Bronx, New York mainstay has given us countless classics by bringing his own flare. He has worked with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Meek Mill, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Drake, and other icons in the genre. With all of his experience, he knows how to bring the best out of others, including DMX.
HipHopDX reported that Swizz and up-and-coming Afrobeat artist, Rema, had a chat hosted by Rolling Stone. The Musicians on Musicians series has been producing some interesting content with older and newer generation artists. For example, Snoop Dogg and Latto have been a part of this too. Swizz spoke with Rema on the creation of one of the biggest party rap songs of all time, “Party Up” by DMX.
Rema And Swizz Beatz Have A One-On-One Conversation
Swizz mentioned how reading the room and the vibe of the artist as soon as they step into the booth is critical in making a hit. However, things were a little different with DMX. If you have heard the song, you know how rowdy the beat is. Swizz revealed what was unique about this song. “It worked for DMX one time with “Party Up.” But if you listen to [it], he does everything against the track. Like, you could tell he didn’t want to do the song. But I forced him because we was on a deadline.” Another reason for the track’s success was due to DMX wanting to prove the doubters wrong. This was from a GQ interview back in 2019. “I was the only artist in history that had their first two albums debut at No. 1, and have two platinum albums in one year! So I’m like, ‘I gotta do it again!’ Aight, like, muthaf****s think it’s a joke?! Aight, Ima show you somethin’!”
What are your initial thoughts on Swizz Beatz revealing how he made the beat for “Party Up” with DMX? Do you think Swizz is the best producer of all time? Is this the greatest beat he had ever made? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around Swizz Beatz and DMX, as well as everything else going on around the music world.
Memphis Bleek shared a number of never heard before stories about his time under the Roc-A-Fella umbrella on his recent visit to Drink Champs, including a funny encounter with Jay-Z, when he asked Hov for tickets to a Beyoncé concert and his response had Drink Cham;s hosts DJ EFN and N.O.R.E. in stitiches.
Bleek also spoke about his time around late Hip Hop icon DMX and the first time he met Ruff Ryders’ premier artist. The 534 emcee spoke about X, saying, “This is the first day I met X. Diddy and Bad Boy, and them are all riding down on the beach. Here come Ma$e on a scooter. That n***a X jumped out the car and started chasing Ma$e. ‘Yo! Get back here! Wait ’til I catch you, n***a!’”
Bleek continued, “So I’m in the back seat, like, ‘Yo! What the fuck happened between him and Ma$e?’ And nobody in the n***a crew was running behind him, trying to stop him. So I said, ‘Whoever this n***a is, he’s official.’”
One of the hip-hop urban legends is a major collaborative project between Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule when the trio were all near their peak. After decades of speculation on the album and what prevented it from ever seeing the light of day. Now Irv Gotti, who has often been able to explain the facts behind various hip-hop stories is once again clarifying. During an episode of Drink Champs he explained that Jay was the one who kept things from moving forward.
He explained why doing the album didn’t make much sense for him at the time. “Do I want to make a whole album with these n*ggas coming at me? And if I’m Jay-Z, there’s a slight chance that, what is n*ggas gonna say I’m not the nicest n*gga?” Fans in the comments were surprised to hear about that concern coming from Hov. “Jay smoked them niggas on everything he on with them even both murdagrams ” one of the top comments reads. “ay Z is and was a 10x better RAPPER than DMX and Ja Rule , they just had better energy if we being honest , as a lyricist jay wasn’t afraid of nothing,” agrees another.
Other fans in the comments just flat out didn’t believe Irv Gotti. “ut Jay did Reservoir Dogs with a line up of killers !!! Naw Jay wasn’t scared of X or Ja, he just didn’t wanna do it … end of story,” one comment suggests. “Maybe DMX I Doubt He cared about Ja Rule lol,” another agrees.
Earlier this week Jay made a brand new Instagram account. He did so in order to promote a movie that he executive producer by sharing a video of the film’s trailer. The movie is called The Book Of Clarence and drops early next year. What do you think of Jay-Z worrying about being out-rapped by DMX and Ja Rule? Let us know in the comment section below.
It’s rest in peace to DMX forever. The late legend’s son, Exodus, was on the Instagram of his fiancée, Desiree Lindstrom, and paid tribute to his father with a piano rendition of the “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem.” After delivering the performance, Exodus said “I love you, daddy.”
We all know the greatness of “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem.” Would you believe that DMX ended up on the single as a result of a bet?
Swizz Beatz pulled up on Sirius XM’s Hip-Hop Nation and revealed the beat didn’t specifically thrill the rapper, but he found his way on it due to losing a bet.
“X lost a bet or I wouldn’t even been on that album,” Swizz said. “That song ended up changing all of our lives. So he technically won the bet for my Uncle D and you know that just changed all of our lives. So it was just enough to do what it needed to do.”
You can hear the full story from Swizz Beatz below.
In a recent interview with Shade 45, Boosie Badazz opened up about his experience seeing DMX perform live on his “Hard Knock Life” tour. He revealed that the show was his first major concert, sharing that the performance even made him and his cousin get emotional. He also called the show the best performance he has ever seen live.
In the interview, Boosie reveals that he was only 14-years-old when he saw the artist live. “Jay-Z opened up for him,” he recalls, “in Jacksonville, Florida.” He went on to share that he was staying with family at the time, and his uncle brought him along to the show. “DMX made me cry bro,” he revealed, “when he said that prayer at the end bro? Me and my cousin [were] holding hands.” Boosie laughs, “man, we was holding hands crying.” He went on to say, “I had never seen nothing like that in my life.”
Boosie revealed another emotional experience he had recently, when his son told him he didn’t want a Boosie fade. He shared the tragedy with The Breakfast Club earlier this month, saying, “This is my time, bro. When you go back to school, when you go back out of town, you do what you want. But this is my time. When you get 18, do what the f*ck you want.” He continued, “But when you come for the summer – my two months – have enough respect for me to come as you are. Show your daddy that respect for what I put into this f*cking family. Bro, I cried. When I saw his hair, I cried. It hurt me so bad, bro.”
Boosie Badazz got vulnerable again recently, when he spoke to VladTV about masturbating on a plane. “It was a long plane ride. My d*ck get hard on the plane too,” he revealed, “Go jack off in the bathroom. I dun did it before. Go jack off in the bathroom. F*cking right I did.”
Swizz Beatz is having some interesting encounters with the spirit of DMX recently. During an interview with The Breakfast Club last month, Swizz recounted a powerful dream he had. In it, he felt the presence of his late friend and iconic rapper. Prior to sharing this extraordinary experience, Swizz expressed that it didn’t feel like DMX was truly gone, but rather just temporarily absent. He described feeling a sense that the rapper was somewhere relaxed and at ease. However, when significant anniversaries related to the DMX approach, Swizz is struck with a profound realization of his friend’s physical absence.
Swizz went on to describe his dream about the late rapper. “But the thing that make me feel easy about it is he came to me,” he continued. “I seen him in my dream. He came to me. And this was, like, super quick too. And he let me know he was good. I’m the person that be like, ‘He ain’t come to see you, what you talkin’ about?’ I seen him. I felt him.” However, that isn’t the only thing that DMX is doing for Swizz Beatz. In fact, he says he feels like the late icon sent up-and-coming rapper Scar Lip to him.
Swizz Thinks Scar Lip Has The Same Great Heart As DMX
According to Swizz Beatz, he believes that DMX played a spiritual role in connecting him with Scar Lip. The rapper is an emerging star out of New York. Recently, Swizz has taken on the role of mentor for the young artist. During an interview with Audacy’s Hip-Hop Made, the renowned “Ruff Ryders Anthem” producer shared that the connection to Scar Lip was initiated by the spirit of DMX. Apparently, DMX’s fiancée Desiree Lindstrom urged him to collaborate with the new, talented artist from the Bronx.
“I honestly feel like DMX sent Scar Lip my way because she’s too much of his energy,” Swizz said. “Like I’ve never seen an artist that just naturally have what I know DMX have. And they two different artists, two different levels, yes. But I’m not talking about that. You know, like, that sister’s been through a lot, like Dog been through a lot. That sister, you know, is when you sit with her, she’s amazing and have a great heart the same way X had a great heart.” What do you think about Swizz’s words on Scar Lip and DMX sending her to him? Let us know in the comments!
The two-year anniversary of DMX’s unexpected death passed by last month, leading many rap icons to pay tribute to their fallen friend. Even as the time since his passing continues to grow, the New Yorker’s impact can never be forgotten, which is why Tubi and TMZ have come together to commemorate his legacy with a new documentary. According to an exclusive from HipHopDX, the free streaming service will unleash its TMZ NO BS: DMX film later this week, allowing the world to learn more about the life of the most iconic lyricists who ever did it.
“DMX is one of rap’s most iconic figures, ascending to superstardom after rising from the streets of Yonkers to the top of the music world,” a synopsis of the upcoming project reads. “Despite his incredible success, a slew of legal and personal problems plagued the life of Earl Simmons.” The documentary will further detail these issues, referring to them as “the demons that haunted him until his untimely death.” On Monday (May 15), Tubi unveiled a brief teaser trailer for the film, highlighting both DMX’s highs and lows.
It’s scheduled to premiere tomorrow (May 17), and will surely attract fans – both new and old – to admire the ups and downs of DMX’s prolific run. Aside from TMZ‘s efforts to keep the Romeo Must Die actor’s legacy alive, his good friend, Swizz Beatz is markedly doing his part as well. Earlier this month, “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” celebrated its 25th anniversary, at which time the producer dedicated a social media post to his pal.
“25 [years] ago on this day, May 5th, 1998, my life changed forever,” he wrote on Instagram, praising D’s incredible work on the popular song, which remains in rotation for many hip-hop heads to this day. Will you be streaming the TMZ NO BS: DMX documentary when it hits Tubi later this week? Let us know in the comments, and tap back in later for more music/pop culture news updates.
On this day in Hip Hop history DMX released his debut album It‘s Dark and Hell Is Hot. This is DMX’s most popular project to date, with Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood serving as a close second. Within the first week of its release selling 251,000 copies debuting at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The LP went on to become certified quadruple platinum on December 18th, 2000.
This project came during a turbulent time in Hip Hop. The genre was coming off of the loss of two titans, Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G., and was facing a change in what was hot. With the rise of high energy production melded with dark and oft-violent lyricism coming from camps like No Limit, Cash Money, and Three 6 Mafia, DMX’s sound allowed him to find his place perfectly within the current trend while add his own twist.
DMX’s melancholic realism spoke to the generation. This project was able to simultaneously turn the party up and cause its listeners to think introspectively about the concept of good and evil and existence as a whole. This album touched on the struggle and pain that came being DMX. As most rappers would glamorize the finer side of the industry life, DMX reveals through this debut that even early on in his career he had been wrestling with the demons that come with wealth and fame.
The stand out hit of the album, “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem”, has been deemed as a classic squad anthem. Produced by Swizz Beatz, the single peaked at #93 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #79 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.
Following this album, DMX went on to release six other studio albums and rise to be one of the most popular and influential artists of the early 2000s. Shortly following the release of this album DMX made his film debut in the hit film Belly with fellow New York rapper, Nas.
Hip Hop lost one of its best soldiers when DMX passed away. The Rap icon struggled throughout his life but didn’t let his obstacles stop him from becoming one of the most inspirational artists the culture has ever seen. If there is a chance to celebrate the life and talents of DMX, we won’t miss it. As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of DMX’s debut album, It’s Dark & Hell Is Hot, we remember the legendary rapper’s impact. Let’s revisit the groundbreaking release that helped solidify Earl Simmons as a Rap legend.
A (Gentle) Beast From New York
American rapper DMX in March, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gregory Bojorquez/Getty Images)
Born Earl Simmons in 1970, DMX rose to prominence in the late 1990s. DMX spoke at end about his tough upbringing, often enduring abuse from his mother and finding solace on the streets. There, he would discover friendships in abandoned or wild street dogs. While they were a threat to others, they found comfort in Simmons. The partnership would become DMX’s staple, often barking in songs or keeping dogs by his side.
The rapper’s raw, aggressive style and introspective lyrics about personal struggle and faith set him apart from his contemporaries. Before his debut album, DMX gained attention through his electrifying live performances and guest appearances on tracks like LL Cool J’s “4, 3, 2, 1” and Mase’s “24 Hrs To Live.”
It’s Dark & Hell Is Hot Storms The World
DMX’s debut album, It’s Dark & Hell Is Hot, was released on May 19, 1998, courtesy of Ruff Ryders Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings. The album showcased DMX’s signature growling delivery and hard-hitting lyrics. With Swizz Beatz, Dame Grease, and P.K. productions, the album featured an array of dark, atmospheric beats that perfectly complemented DMX’s intense style. Still, his gentler approach to songs like “How It’s Goin’ Down” resonated with women. Soon, DMX was finding mass appeal.
It’s Dark & Hell Is Hot included several standout tracks, such as “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem,” “Get At Me Dog,” and “Stop Being Greedy.” The album also featured guest appearances from fellow Ruff Ryders members like The LOX, Drag-On, and Eve. This cemented DMX in the mainstream and showed that the collective was expanding exponentially.
Critical Acclaim
Upon its release, It’s Dark & Hell Is Hot garnered widespread praise and commercial success. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling over 250,000 copies in its first week. It went on to achieve quadruple-platinum status, with more than four million copies sold in the United States.
The album’s lead single, “Get At Me Dog,” reached No. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100, while “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” and “Stop Being Greedy” also enjoyed charting success. The project set the stage for what was to arrive from DMX’s catalog. The introduction to the New York emcee was arguably one of his most vulnerable with commercial appeal.
It’s Dark & Hell Is Hot had a lasting impact on hip hop, as DMX’s authenticity echoed throughout. Although the trauma manifested itself lyrically and personally, he was unapologetic about who he was. He never kept his Christian faith a secret and often would stop during live shows to pray over the crowd. This battle between what was and who he wanted to be was palpable, and his debut record was the beginning of his public journey. Much of who DMX was contrasted with the materialism and flashy lifestyles often depicted in rap. However, his influence can be found in many growling, raspy-voiced artists who emerged after him.
The Death Of An Icon
INGLEWOOD, CA – OCTOBER 04: DMX performs onstage during the Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour at The Forum on October 4, 2016 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Live Nation)
DMX tragically passed away on April 9, 2021, after suffering a heart attack. The rapper was hospitalized before his passing, and the worldwide response was unlike any other. Well wishes and kind words poured in, but sadly, DMX succumbed to his ailments. Many of his contemporaries highlighted DMX’s significant impact on their lives, personally and professionally, and celebrated his undeniable influence on the culture.
In the wake of his death, DMX’s music experienced a resurgence in popularity, with fans revisiting It’s Dark & Hell Is Hot and his subsequent albums. Streaming services reported a significant increase in DMX’s music consumption, underscoring fans’ lasting connection with his artistry. As we reflect on the album’s 25-year journey, let’s honor DMX’s memory by appreciating the unforgettable mark he left behind.
@mworthofgame ) pic.twitter.com/RNG8bU85zn
” one of the top comments reads. “ay Z is and was a 10x better RAPPER than DMX and Ja Rule , they just had better energy if we being honest , as a lyricist jay wasn’t afraid of nothing,” agrees another.
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