Many of DMX’s hits had a distinct sound. Especially in his work with Swizz Beatz, X had a synthetic sound that pulled Rap music away from the sample-covers of the late 1990s. While the Yonkers, New York superstar certainly tried his hand at that style too, tracks like “Ruff Ryders Anthem,” “Party Up,” and “X Gon’ Give It To Ya” sounded like nothing else in their time. For an MC with such a raw delivery and grimy subject matter, the futuristic sounds created the perfect juxtaposition.

Whereas ’90s contemporaries like JAY-Z, Nas, and Common have seemed like natural fits to jam with a live band, what about X? An audience at New Orleans, Louisiana’s House Of Blues (which included Ambrosia For Heads) recently got a taste. The Soul Rebels (who are no stranger to AFH) rocked out with The Dawg, and brought their blend of bayou Funk to several of his most beloved hits.

At the beginning of the performance, DMX acknowledges the rarity of the moment. “This is something I’ve never done before. We got the band. The live band,” he says. The brass section comes alive for 2003’s “Where The Hood At?” The song originally produced by Tuneheadz has a great sound to it when translated by a live band. X commands the performance 14 years later. Also in the video playlist, there is a performance of the aforementioned “X Gon’ Give It To Ya.”

Previously, the Soul Rebels have performed with Nas, as well as Pete Rock & Smoke DZA.

This week DMX plead guilty to more than $1 million of tax evasion. He will face sentencing in a Manhattan court on March 29, 2018. According to The Associated Press, the former Ruff Ryders/Def Jam Records superstar faces up to five years in prison.